Lake Natoma Paddle Boarding with Dogs
Lake Natoma near Folsom, California is a fun mellow paddle boarding day trip. The motorized boat speed limit is 5 mph on the entire lake so it’s a great place to enjoy calm tranquil water on your kayak, canoe, or paddle board. There’s plenty of parking on weekdays, but it can get a little crowded on summer weekends. For this trip we brought our Isle inflatable paddle boards which we love for their durability, easy pack up, and different traction pad areas for dogs (and people) to sit. We’ve had a few of these Isle paddle boards over the years and have enjoyed many lake days exploring various area that we couldn’t get to otherwise-private beaches, secluded coves, and narrow inlets. But back to Lake Natoma! You can also rent equipment from the Sac State Aquatic Center which is right at the lake. There’s a little path off the parking lot with picnic tables to get down to the lake and beach. Dogs are not allowed on the beach but they can be on the lake and the path.
Linus ready to go!
Linus previously practiced paddle boarding in a pool and in the parking lot before we were ready to get on the lake. There were a lot of distractions near the parking lot, dock, and beach but as soon as we paddled away from the beach, there was plenty of space. Linus is a pretty good swimmer but he also wore his life vest. He wore a smaller size than we would’ve guessed, so be sure to check the sizing instructions. The life vest really improved his efficiency, and the handle on the back was great for pulling him back up onto the board.
He preferred swimming next to the paddle board rather than riding on the board. His mind was kept busy swimming along side us and physically he was exerting so much energy. He saw other dogs on the lake but he was so engaged with his activities, he did not care about or react to them. We paddled to a little secluded cove where Linus had more freedom to run around, do his business, have a snack-crispy fish skin, and of course jump in the water.
He was totally fulfilled and exhausted! While we deflated the boards and packed up, Linus found a sunny spot for a nap.
Reactivity note: There were dogs around the beach but they were on leash and the dogs in the water were either on boats or playing fetch along the shoreline. The lake is wide open, so it’s easy to get space. For a dog who loves water, this was one of Linus’ best adventures!
Other Tips: If you prefer a land activity, the American River Parkway is a paved path that goes around the lake, along the shoreline. It’s a 11.5 mile loop, and leashed dogs are welcome on the path.
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