Folsom, CA 95630

Take in the sparkle of Folsom Lake from the saddle, trotting your way along some 80-miles worth of horse friendly trails. Visit the nearby Royal Oak Farm Equestrian Center for lessons, summer camps and more things to get you in the riding spirit!

The equestrian assembly area at Lake Natoma — Black Miner Bar is within the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, eastern Sacramento County. Horse truck and trailer access is from Madison Avenue, just half-mile west of Auburn-Folsom Road. The annual "Poppy Pass" can be used here, otherwise there is a gate-fee to use the horse assembly area. The main venue for Lake Natoma — Black Miner Bar is the boat-launch facility for canoes, kayaks, and fishermen, with secondary uses for rowing (=crew) and family picnics. Lake Natoma is a narrow but long reservoir with quiet water that is highly prized for rowing (=crew). Lake Natoma functions as the after-bay for Folsom Dam and it has a near-constant water-level that is carefully regulated by the Bureau of Reclamation. While it is not a principal venue for equestrians, it is likely that more riders would use this horse assembly area if it were better known.

Black Miner Bar Group Campground has 3 group, tent-only sites. Two of the sites can each accommodate up to 50 people and 25 vehicles. The other group site can accommodate up to 25 people and 12 vehicles. Each of the group sites is approximately 50 to 100 feet from the parking lot via a dirt trail. The vegetation at Sites A & B and the topography and restroom building at Site C block the view of the parking lot from the campsites. Road noise from nearby streets can be heard in the campground.