Rancho Seco Recreational Area is a 400-acre park overflowing with recreational opportunities including camping, boating, fishing, swimming and wildlife viewing. The 160-acre lake is fed by the Folsom South Canal and is a great year-round day or overnight getaway located in California’s Central Valley, just 25 miles from downtown Sacramento.
To Make A Reservation for Rancho Seco Campground Please Click Here
Note to our Patrons: In order to deliver recreational experience that meet our customers’ expectations, we are increasing our park fees beginning on January 1, 2018. SMUD has made significant infrastructure improvements to the park over the past several years and these have increased annual maintenance and operating costs. Those improvements were necessary to keep the park safe, clean and accessible to all. Infrastructure improvements include new shade structures, restrooms, shower facilities, laundry facilities and more. Thank you for your continued support as a patron of Rancho Seco Recreational Area.
2019 Trout Planting Schedule
April 1 – October 31: 7:00 am – 7:00 pm *No entrance after 6:00 pm
November 1 – March 31: 7:00 am – 5:00 pm *No entrance after 3:30 pm
Please call the Park for current Boat Rental and Camp Store hours.
| ENTRY FEES | Daily | Senior/ Disabled |
| Car/Day Use | $12 | $12 |
| Car Top Launch/Kayak | $15 | $15 |
| Boat Launch/Trailer | $15 | $15 |
| Buses (10 people +) | $40 | $40 |
| Motorcycle | $12 | $12 |
| Dog | $3 | $3 |
| Annual Pass | $100 | $75 |
| Annual Pass Boat/Trailer | $125 | $90 |
| Annual Pass Car Top Launch/Kayak | $125 | $90 |
| Group Picnic Area (2B & 2C) (reserved) | $90 | $90 |
| Picnic Pavilions (reserved) | $30 | $30 |
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| *All prices are subject to change without notice.
14 Day Stay Limit on all sites |
You may launch an electric motor boat, rowboat or sailboat from the two ramps located at each end of the dam. Ramp hours coincide with facility hours. Kayaks, Row Boats, Stand Up Paddleboards, Electric powered fishing boats are available on a seasonal basis. Windsurfers are also welcome on the lake. Gas motors are not permitted on the lake.
RENTAL EQUIPMENT
All rental boats must be returned and checked in 1 hour prior to closing the park. All prices are subject to change without notice. A valid driver license is required for rentals.
| Type | 1st Hour | Add’l Hour | Deposit |
| Kayak, Single | $10 | $8 | $34 |
| Kayak, Double | $12 | $10 | $42 |
| Paddle board | $10 | $8 | $42 |
| Pedal boats | $15 | $8 | $55 |
| Type | 1st Hour | Add’l Hour | All Day | Deposit |
| Electric Boat | $20 | $10 | $60 | $60 |
| Row Boat | $12 | $8 | $52 | $52 |
Rancho Seco Recreational Area is a 400-acre park overflowing with recreational opportunities including camping, boating, fishing, swimming and wildlife viewing. The 160-acre lake is fed by the Folsom South Canal and is a great year-round day or overnight getaway located in California’s Central Valley, just 25 miles from downtown Sacramento.
The area was acquired by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in 1992 and has developed into a scenic recreational area and wildlife refuge. Locals and visitors enjoy the land, wildlife and water activities offered throughout this facility. Developing recreational opportunities for nearby cities and preserving the land is a central focus at Rancho Seco.
This fresh water lake is a habitat for bass, bluegill, red ear sunfish, crappie. Rainbow trout are stocked in the lake January through March. Fishing licenses are required and can be purchased at the lake office. Fishing piers allow access for those with disabilities. The annual trout derby is held in the spring and is always a popular event. Night fishing is not permitted.
CAMPING
Accommodations are available for RVs and tent campers year-round.
- Site Amenities: barbecues and fire pits, picnic tables, drinking water
- Electrical Outlets at RV sites only
- Dump Station: located within the park
- Campsites: 18 RV sites and 32 tent sites
No Entrance to the Campground after 10pm
SWIMMING & PICNICKING
The lake is open to the public year-round. There is a designated swimming beach located at the south-eastern side of the lake near the group picnic areas. Group picnic sites can be reserved for 50 or more people; smaller covered picnic pavilions may also be reserved for groups fewer than 50 people.
HIKING AND WILDLIFE VIEWING
You can view many birds which retreat to the park for winter: ducks, geese, hawks, bald eagles, blue heron and migratory birds make their home in the area. The Howard Ranch Trail is open to the public for exploration and enjoyment. Admission is included in the Rancho Seco park fee.
You may launch an electric motor boat, rowboat or sailboat from the two ramps located at each end of the dam. Ramp hours coincide with facility hours. Kayaks, Row Boats, Stand Up Paddleboards, Electric powered fishing boats are available on a seasonal basis. Windsurfers are also welcome on the lake. Gas motors are not permitted on the lake.
RENTAL EQUIPMENT
All rental boats must be returned and checked in 1 hour prior to closing the park. All prices are subject to change without notice. A valid driver license is required for rentals.
| Type | 1st Hour | Add’l Hour | Deposit |
| Kayak, Single | $10 | $8 | $34 |
| Kayak, Double | $12 | $10 | $42 |
| Paddle board | $10 | $8 | $42 |
| Pedal boats | $15 | $8 | $55 |
| Type | 1st Hour | Add’l Hour | All Day | Deposit |
| Electric Boat | $20 | $10 | $60 | $60 |
| Row Boat | $12 | $8 | $52 | $52 |