Auburn State Recreation Area

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Parks

California

Nearby: Folsom Lake State Recreation Area Auburn Recreation Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Auburn State Recreation Area in California is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

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Summary

Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and swimming in the American River. The area is also known for its historic sites, such as the Old Auburn Cemetery and the Foresthill Bridge.

One of the main attractions at the recreation area is the American River Canyon, which offers stunning views of the river and surrounding landscape. Other notable points of interest include the Lake Clementine Trail, the Quarry Trail, and the Confluence Trail.

Interesting facts about the Auburn State Recreation Area include its status as the first recreational area in California, established in 1965, and the fact that the area was once the site of a busy gold mining operation during the California Gold Rush.

The best time of year to visit the Auburn State Recreation Area is during the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the crowds are smaller. Summer can be hot and crowded, while winter may bring snow and limited access to some parts of the park. However, visitors can still enjoy winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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