Touring * Fitness * Slalom * Artistic *

From U.S. 50 going east away from downtown Sacramento, exit at Folsom Blvd. Turn left on Folsom Blvd. In three miles cross the American River on a new bridge and continue straight on Folsom-Auburn road for another three miles to Beals Point entrance on your right.

From Interstate 80, take the Douglas exit east (it's also called the Folsom Lake exit) and follow it 5.4 mi to Auburn-Folsom Road. Turn right and proceed south 1-3/4 mi to the Beals Point entrance on the left.

There is a day use fee of $6 to enter the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area at Beals Point, but for your money, you'll receive a map and enjoy the clean facilities available for swimming, camping, and picnicking. Beals Point has a smooth and easy loop around its perimeter that beginners and kids will enjoy. The Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail is just up the hill from the entrance road.

There are many other access points to this 32 mile trail. We highly recommend you pickup a trail map available at the paid entrance kiosks (or the link below) and create your own trips.

As you glide on in-lines through the Gold Country hills on the Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail, the silence is broken only by the sound of birds warbling in the trees and squirrels rustling the grass (plus the hum of bicyclists and other skaters, of course). Following the banks of the American River, this trail, also known locally as the American River Bikeway, has much to offer the experienced hill skater. But be forewarned: it comes with its share of challenges, too.

On weekends and in good weather, the Jedediah Smith Trail is one of the most popular bicycling destinations in Sacramento County. Put a large amount of traffic on a trail full of blind corners with hills that encourage high speeds and you've got one radical skate. Make sure you're wearing all of your protective gear before starting out. As a matter of fact, on this trail, wearing a helmet and padding seems to engender a bit more respect from the serious bicyclists.

Begin skating at the north edge of the little path around Beals Point, a deceptively tame warm-up loop. Around the corner, you'll find the intersection with the Jedediah Smith Trail, a smooth path paved in asphalt and divided by a yellow line. Turn right to skate on the top of the levee to the absolute end of the trail at mile 32, where the asphalt is replaced by a gravel road. This termination point is a great spot to enjoy a view of Folsom Lake.

Turn around and get prepared for some hills. Immediately after the trail crosses the Beals Point entrance road, the first long descent adds speed to the wheels, taking you down past the rocky banks of the Folsom Dam, where the scenery is temporarily overtaken by the water works. Over the meadow and through the bridge, you'll see the first of two caution signs for the upcoming grades. A speed limit of 15 miles per hour is advised in painted letters on the path.

Now the long descents begin in earnest. While negotiating the many blind curves, it's very important to pay attention to controlling speeds that can get up to or beyond 20 miles per hour. Some skaters will find it desirable to brake to a stop now and then, not only to regain control, but to appreciate the beautiful riverside scenery of natural grasses and oaks. An entrance road at Negro Bar marks the end of the hairy hills section. Ahead, one long uphill and a series of flats and gentler slopes continue all the way to Nimbus Dam, described in the Jedediah Smith National Recreation Trail West. The Skating restriction west of Hazel Ave has been lifted. You can now legally skate from Beals Point on Folsom Lake to Sacramento, over 30 miles each way. You can also connect to the Folsom South Recreational Trail for some additional miles.

A new trail has been built on the South-east side of the American River. It is now possible to do a ten mile loop around Lake Natoma (a wide part of the American River) between Hazel Ave. and the new bridge in Folsom.

• Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail Map - Offical Trail Map in pdf format

• Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail - Lake Natoma
• Lake Natoma Loop