Henningsen Lotus Park

I love the quote "time is like a river, you never touch the same water twice". This is yet another spot on the American river I visited for the first time on land.We were in the area and wanted to picnic on the water. The parking lot is large and there are baseball fields and other park stuff but if you venture down the rocky somewhat steep hill there are little areas on the shoreline.We spent the entire day listening to the water and swimming and stacking rocks. We watched all the rafters go by but they couldn't see us. I saw 3 people go down the rapids on paddle boards standing!! That was impressive! I was absolutely content watching them from the shore in the shade eating my lunch with my legs in the water.. great day!

The main park sits along the South Fork of the American River in Lotus, CA (FYI - The Gold Rush started a few miles down the road). On the main park side, there are two parking lots. Between the lots are natural grass soccer fields. There are several mobile soccer goals free to use. Around the lawn and park perimeters is a paved walking trail, the full loop is .4 miles. Easy, flat ADA path. I enjoy walking it. Near the boat launch are public toilets. The boat launch area is for rafts and kayaks. Don't expect to launch anything bigger than that. Right now, in December, the river is swift and fast with rapids. The current conditions are only for highly skilled pro kayakers. In the summer, the water's edge is calm enough for folks to dip their toes in but it's wall to wall folks here especially on the weekends. There are more park facilities across the street. There are lighted baseball fields (Field A for little league and kiddo play and Field B for adults), children's playground, parking lot ($10 parking fee), and trail access to the Gam Saan (Chinese translation Gold Mountain) trail that connects to the Monroe Ridge Trail in Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. The trail just opened last February. If you paid for parking across the street, you don't need to pay again. There is a pedestrian crosswalk. But please do be careful, majority of cars don't stop and rumble on through regardless if folks are in the crosswalk. The speed limit is 25 mph in front of the park but not a lot of drivers adhere to that. The parking fee increased to $10 from $5 since this past summer. 100% increase... ouch. Parking is self pay and cash only. You have to take an envelope from the pay station box and fill it out with your vehicle info. (I know... I can hear ya' all saying who carries exact cash or even a pen... where the app). Anyhoo, the slip goes on your car dashboard and the envelop with the $10 into the locked bin. The penalty for non payment is a $25 fine. Also the light for the ball fields are not free and only takes tokens. Tokens are sold from the El Dorado County Parks & Rec Department. You have to call the Department to set up an appointment at the offices to purchase the tokens. The times I've been here, I notice a lot of folks aren't paying the parking fee and I don't see enforcement of it. Hmm so does increasing the parking fee increase compliance?

Whether you want to jump in the cold refreshing water on a hot summer day or play a quick game of softball, this park is for you! Yes You! Like others have mentioned the $5 help to maintain the clean facilities and play structures this park has to offer. I've never really seen anyone enforcing the parking permits, but its always better to relax than worry about a citation.The river has a small main beach, but the trails around the river offer the best swimming spots. Please be careful though because this is a FAST moving river, life jackets are a must for kids and even adults who are rafting. I don't think I've seen bbq pits at this place, which is a bummer but in the summer it can be quite the fire hazard anyways. The 2 diamonds and playground is across the street with plenty of parking in itself. A few of those spots are free to use the playground only. Let your kids run around and tire themselves out. If that's not enough check out the awesome Gam Saan Trail which leads you Marshall Gold Discovery State Park.

A great river access park. Long field for soccer, public bathrooms, great calm spot to put in and head to more agressive, or land from upriver, $10 day entry, $30 season. Smooth enough to paddle board here, or wade, put still can move swiftly at time

This park is the perfect place to spend some time cooling off with your family... and if you have dogs bring them along too! There are tons of different little spots along the river to sit and hangout. This was our first time coming here but it won't be our last!

This park is clean with clear water.Im falling in love with this place .Love it will coming back soon!

A great place to spend a day with family. Pixnic, BBQ, sports, river rafting, boating, etc. $5 parking, but definitely worth the fee to support such a clean park.

Quiet and beautiful park next to the river. I came on the perfect day... warm fall afternoon with gorgeous vibrate fall leaves Lots of picnic benches to choose from, CLEAN and well maintained restrooms

I absolutely love this park. I usually come down in the mornings and pick up trash on the trails by the beaches. Today my heart was broken though somebody obviously had a kid birthday party here yesterday, and there was literally trash everywhere by the day use area. After living in the area for 12 years, I have never never seen anything so disgusting take care of the beauty in the world people. Keep your messes at home.

Absolutely love this spot. It's so spacious and open that it is great for any occasion.