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Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

Lake Oroville State Recreation Area surrounds the lake formed by Oroville Dam, which the State Department of Water Resources completed in 1967. At maximum elevation the lake has some 15,500 surface acres for recreation and 167 miles of shoreline. The park offers family, group, equestrian, boat-in and floating camping, boating, fishing, swimming and trails. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.

From Chico: about 55 min (typical, without traffic)

15,500 acres at max elevationSurface area
167 milesShoreline
770 ft above streambedDam height
$8.00Vehicle day use
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area
Photo: Quinn Comendant, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Key Facts

  • Lake Oroville was created by Oroville Dam, which the State Department of Water Resources completed in 1967 after 5 years of construction.[1]
  • State Parks describes the dam as 770 feet above the streambed of the Feather River, and 900 feet at max capacity.[1]
  • When the lake is at its maximum elevation it includes some 15,500 surface acres for recreation and 167 miles of shoreline.[1]
  • Lake Oroville conserves water for the State Water Project and the Oroville facilities also provide flood control and electric power, in addition to recreation.[1]
  • The brochure calls Lake Oroville the largest state reservoir in northern California, about 75 miles north of Sacramento.[5]
  • Activities listed include camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, sail and power boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, boat-in camping, floating campsites and horse camping.[1]
  • Boaters can land at any point around the lake to explore, but overnight camping on shore while boating is allowed only at the boat-in campsites.[5]
  • Ten 20 x 24 foot floating campsites each sleep up to 15 people; you need a boat to reach them, and pets are prohibited on them.[5]
  • Boat-in camps are first come, first served, at Craig Saddle, Foreman Point, Goat Ranch and the Bloomer Primitive Area.[5]
  • Fish in the lake include largemouth and smallmouth bass, Chinook, catfish, Mackinaw, sturgeon and brown trout; a California sport fishing license is required.[1]
  • All launch ramps are subject to change due to water level; full lake elevation is 900 feet.[3]
  • The brochure says the Northwest Maidu people made this area home for thousands of years.[5]
  • Feather Falls on Fall River is 640 feet high; at maximum lake elevation you can boat within a quarter mile of the falls.[1]
  • The speed limit is five miles per hour within 100 feet of a swimmer or 200 feet of any shore, launch facility or designated mooring area.[5]

Areas Inside Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

  • Loafer Creek

    Campground and launch ramp off Highway 162, with a seasonal swim beach and 100 picnic sites.[5]

  • Bidwell Canyon

    75 hookup campsites and a lakeside marina with launch ramp, store, fuel dock and boat rental.[5]

  • Lime Saddle

    Hookup and non-hookup RV sites, a five-lane launch ramp and a nearby marina, at 3428 Pentz Road.[5]

  • Spillway

    At the north end of the dam: shaded picnic sites, self-contained RV camping, a launch ramp and restrooms.[5]

  • Kelly Ridge Visitor Center

    DWR-run visitor center overlooking the lake and dam, with a 47-foot viewing tower.[1]

  • North Thermalito Forebay

    300-acre day use area with a 200-yard sandy swimming beach; only non-power boats are allowed.[1]

  • South Thermalito Forebay

    Four-lane launch ramp, picnic tables and sandy beach; no shade or drinking water.[1]

  • Goat Ranch boat-in camp

    Boat-in camp near the junction of the West Branch and the North Fork of the Feather River.[5]

  • Foreman Creek car-top ramp

    Car-top ramp open 8 a.m. to sunset when open.[3]

Plan Your Visit

WhatAs the operator states it
Run byCalifornia State Parks (Northern Buttes District); the Kelly Ridge Visitor Center is operated by the California Department of Water Resources
AddressNorthern Buttes District HQ, 400 Glen Dr., Oroville, CA 95966
Drive from ChicoAbout 55 min, typical, without traffic (Google Maps, plus 10 minutes, rounded)
HoursDay use areas are open 8 a.m. to sunset; campgrounds are open 24 hours a day.[1]
SeasonOpen all year; fishing is permitted all year long. Camping reservations are recommended from late spring through Labor Day.[1]
FeesVehicle day use $8.00, boat launch $5.00, combo $13.00; special rates may apply at peak times and prices can change.[1]
DogsDogs allowed only in parking lots, paved roadways and campgrounds; not on trails or in day-use areas, and not on floating campsites.[1]
RestroomsRestrooms, outdoor showers and drinking water are listed among park facilities.[1]
AccessibilityCampgrounds, restrooms, picnic areas, marinas and fish-cleaning stations have accessible features; see the park accessibility page.[4]
CampingFamily, group, equestrian, en-route, RV hookup, boat-in and floating campsites.[1]
BoatingBoat ramps and marinas at Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle; ramp status changes with lake level.[3]
SwimmingLoafer Creek Area and the North Forebay near the Aquatic Center are the only designated swimming areas; lifeguard service is seasonal only.[5]
ReservationsReserve campsites at ReserveCalifornia.com.[5]
Phone(530) 538-2200[1]
Official pageCalifornia State Parks (Northern Buttes District); the Kelly Ridge Visitor Center is operated by the California Department of Water Resources

Map of Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

The pin is approximate, placed from the address or place name. © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions

What We Could Not Verify

These items were not on an official page we could open on October 29, 2026, or two official pages disagree. Check with the operator before you rely on them.

  • Not confirmedAny DWR visitor or recreation facts
  • Not confirmedA named 'North Forks' recreation area (not found on State Parks pages; only the Goat Ranch boat-in camp near the North Fork is named)
  • Not confirmedOroville Dam overlook locations other than the Visitor Center and Spillway area
  • Not confirmedCurrent lake level
  • Not confirmedWhether the 2018 brochure camp and facility counts are still current
  • Not confirmedConflict: Lake size: the main park page says some 15,500 surface acres at maximum elevation; the accessibility page says a 15,000 acre lake.
  • Not confirmedConflict: Launch ramp hours: the main park page says ramps are generally open 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the Current Launch Ramp Status page lists Bidwell Canyon, Spillway, Loafer Creek and Lime Saddle as open 24/7.
  • Not confirmedConflict: Contact phone for district HQ: (530) 538-2200 in one block and (530) 990-2198 in the Contact Information block of the same page.

More in Oroville & Lake Oroville

All of Oroville & Lake OrovilleFeather River Fish HatcheryOroville Wildlife AreaDowntown Oroville and the RiverfrontLime Saddle MarinaBidwell Canyon MarinaOroville Dam Overlooks and Visitor CenterLoafer Creek Recreation AreaOroville Chinese TempleOroville State TheatreAll Places

Coming Up in Oroville & Lake Oroville

11 events are on our calendar for Oroville & Lake Oroville from today on. 1 is listed as free by the organizer; 1 is marked Not confirmed because we could not confirm it on the organizer’s page yet. This list rebuilds itself every day at midnight, Pacific time.

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Lake Oroville?

State Parks lists vehicle day use at $8.00, boat launch at $5.00, and a combo at $13.00. Special rates may apply at busy times.[1]

Can I bring my dog to Lake Oroville?

Dogs are allowed only in parking lots, on paved roads and in campgrounds. They are not allowed on trails, in day-use areas, or on floating campsites.[1]

Where can you swim at Lake Oroville?

The brochure names the Loafer Creek Area and the North Forebay near the Aquatic Center as the only designated swimming areas. Lifeguard service is seasonal only.[5]

Sources

  1. Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, California State Parks. Read October 29, 2026.
  2. About the Park (Lake Oroville SRA), California State Parks. Read October 29, 2026.
  3. Current Launch Ramp Status, California State Parks. Read October 29, 2026.
  4. Accessible Features at Lake Oroville SRA, California State Parks. Read October 29, 2026.
  5. Lake Oroville State Recreation Area park brochure (Rev. 2018, PDF), California State Parks. Read October 29, 2026.

Cite this page: “Lake Oroville State Recreation Area.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/oroville/lake-oroville/