Salmon Falls

California wrote the book on ghost towns, from Gold Rush tent cities to Owens Valley farm towns the aqueduct dried up.

Salmon Falls is a former settlement in El Dorado County, California, United States. It was located on the South Fork of the American River, 5.5 miles (9 km) south-southwest of Pilot Hill, at an elevation of 469 feet (143 m). It was flooded by Folsom Lake. Nearby were waterfalls from which the place got its name. The site is now registered as California Historical Landmark #571.

The on-the-ground condition of Salmon Falls is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Salmon Falls is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Salmon Falls is roughly 38.7581, -121.0583 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.