RATTLESNAKE BAR to GRANITE BAY

Rattlesnake Bar can be reached from Auburn-Folsom Road or Interstate 80.

Take Interstate 80 to the Newcastle Exit that is south of Auburn. Go south on Newcastle Road and cross over Auburn-Folsom Road. Stay on Newcastle Road to Rattlesnake Bar Road and turn right. Continue on Rattlesnake Bar Road to the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Entry Gate

and go down the road until it becomes a dirt road.

Turn left onto the paved road that is just before the dirt road. Continue until you see a yellow caution sign with a horse and rider on the left side of the road (the sign faces away from you). Just before you reach the sign the trail crosses the road.

You can also reach the trail from the Horse Assembly Area. Continue past the yellow caution sign to the Horse Assembly Sign. Turn left here into the Horse Assembly Area.

There is a dirt road at the end of the area and a trail to the left of the road.  Take the trail. As you start down the trail, a second trail turns off to the left

Turn left here and turn left at the next trail you come to and you will be going toward Granite Bay. Continue straight on the original trail and you will return to the dirt road and be going toward Auburn.

At points along the trail from Rattlesnake Bar to Granite Bay there are poles with a footprint on them marking the trail. As you approach the populated areas around Granite Bay, the main trail is intersected by many access trails. Be sure to stay on the main trail running parallel with the lakeshore. Watch for those poles.

The trail rounds Horseshoe Bar, snakes into Beeks Bight, and cuts over the ridge, passing Doton's Bar. In the final couple of miles the trail closely approaches many backyard fences, until just outside of the Granite Bay Park. You will see the main road that goes through the park to your left. If you stay on the main trail it will go to the entrance of the park. Or you can find a side trail to the main road and go to the parking areas.

This page revised December 27, 2006