Where is Willow Creek Recreation Area?

Willow Creek Recreation Area is a river in Folsom, California.

What is the water temperature at Willow Creek Recreation Area?

As of October 29, 2026, the water temperature at Willow Creek Recreation Area in Folsom, California is 58°F (14°C), measured by USGS gauge 11446500, 2.2 miles away.

How is Willow Creek Recreation Area rated?

Willow Creek Recreation Area in Folsom, California has an average visitor rating of 4.6 out of 5, based on 731 reviews.

Updated August 16, 2026

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Photo: Willow Creek WSA by BLM Oregon & Washington (CC BY 2.0) License

Willow Creek Recreation Area

River · Folsom, California

4.6(731 reviews)

Read reviews

Cold water — serious cold-shock risk today

Cold water

Cold water — serious cold-shock risk today: water temperature is 58°F, cold enough to cause cold-water shock on sudden immersion.

Water temp 58°F (14°C)
Streamflow 1,230 ft³/s
Gage height 6.14 ft

Live, provisional data from USGS gauge AMERICAN R A FAIR OAKS CA (2.2 mi away), as of Oct 29, 2:30 AM gauge-local time.

Why, sources & official advisories

Water temperature is 58°F, cold enough to cause cold-water shock on sudden immersion. — USGS gauge 11446500, as of Oct 29, 2:30 AM gauge-local time
Flow is within the normal range (25th–75th percentile) for Oct 29 (median 1,720 ft³/s over 71 years). — USGS daily streamflow statistics, as of Oct 29, 2:30 AM gauge-local time
No official beach advisory posted (California Water Boards — FHAB Reports checked).

Official advisories

Checked against California Water Boards — FHAB Reports — no advisory posted.

Can I swim today? →Live map near here →

Get an email when it’s warm enough

It’s 58°F at Willow Creek Recreation Area now. We check the water daily and email you once when it reaches your temperature.

Picnic tablesPublic restroomWheelchair accessible entranceWheelchair accessible parking lot

Editor's Notes

Willow Creek Recreation Area is a day-use corner of Folsom Lake State Recreation Area east of Sacramento, where blue and live oak woodland gives way to riparian cottonwood and willow. Great blue herons, great egrets and double-crested cormorants nest within sight of the parking area.

What’s swimming here?

Fish recorded within 2 km: Western Mosquitofish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and 6 more species.

9 fish species in 100 public records within 2 km of Willow Creek Recreation Area since 2000.

Western Mosquitofish Gambusia affinisNon-nativenative elsewhere in the US, established here
56 records · 2025
Largemouth Bass Micropterus nigricans
23 records · 2025
Bluegill Lepomis macrochirusNon-nativenative elsewhere in the US, established here
11 records · 2024
Prickly Sculpin Cottus asper
4 records · 2014
Sacramento Sucker Catostomus occidentalis
2 records · 2024
Redear Sunfish Lepomis microlophusNon-nativenative elsewhere in the US, established here
1 record · 2024
Sacramento Pikeminnow Ptychocheilus grandis
1 record · 2024
Green Sunfish Lepomis cyanellus
1 record · 2023

Show all 9 species

Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss
1 record · 2023

Non-native: the USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database lists the species as introduced to the Lower American watershed.

Caught one? Make it a card.Snap your catch in Reelio and collect every species. Free on iPhone.

Data: GBIF.org occurrence records, CC0 and CC BY only (iNaturalist research-grade observations, GBIF dataset, GBIF dataset). Common names: USGS NAS; GBIF.org (The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species). Non-native flags: USGS NAS. These are sightings and specimens people reported, not a survey: a fish missing from the list may still live here.

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Frequently asked questions

Where is Willow Creek Recreation Area?: Willow Creek Recreation Area is a river in Folsom, California.
What is the water temperature at Willow Creek Recreation Area?: As of October 29, 2026, the water temperature at Willow Creek Recreation Area in Folsom, California is 58°F (14°C), measured by USGS gauge 11446500, 2.2 miles away.
Can you swim at Willow Creek Recreation Area?: Cold water — serious cold-shock risk today: water temperature is 58°F, cold enough to cause cold-water shock on sudden immersion. Checked October 29, 2026.
How is Willow Creek Recreation Area rated?: Willow Creek Recreation Area in Folsom, California has an average visitor rating of 4.6 out of 5, based on 731 reviews.

Gear for today

Location & Contact

JRX5+CJ, Folsom, CA 95630

Folsom, California 95630

Phone

+1 916-988-0205

Visit Website

Get Directions

🌊 Best times & visiting tips

›Check water levels and current conditions before visiting
›Wear life jackets when on the water
›Be aware of rapids and potential hazards
›Respect private property along riverbanks

Features & amenities

Highlights

⭐ Picnics

Accessibility

♿ Wheelchair accessible entrance♿ Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Amenities

🧺 Picnic tables🚻 Public restroom

Family & Children

👶 Good for kids👶 Kid-friendly hikes

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