Lake Oroville Floating Campsites Reservations Things To Do

Located in the scenic Sierra Nevada foothills, just to the east of Oroville city, lies the stunning Lake Oroville. Situated at the foothills of Plumas National Forest, this artificial lake boasts 15,500 acres of surface area and a 167-mile stretch of wooded shoreline. It was created by the tallest earth-filled dam in the United States and is the second-largest reservoir in California.

Lake Oroville offers a wide range of activities for its visitors to enjoy. These activities include fishing, picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, powerboating, water-skiing, swimming, boat-in camping, and the most popular attraction of all, floating campsites. If you are visiting the lake for the first time, we recommend visiting the Lake Oroville Visitor Center.

Lake Oroville Visitor Center

Visitors can access a 47-foot tower with two high-powered telescopes from the Visitor’s Center. This tower offers beautiful views of the Sutter Buttes, the world’s smallest mountain range. The Sutter Buttes is known for its excellent trails that are perfect for day hiking. Visiting the tower will give you a view of the lake’s surrounding area. Additionally, there is a small but informative museum with exhibits, videos, and a store.

Lake Oroville Floating Campsites

You must have or rent a boat to access the floating campsites, as some are far from the shore. Ten floating campsites are available for reservation on Lake Oroville from April through October. Each floating site has two levels and measures 20ft x 24ft, providing ample space for your camping needs. Amenities include a camp table, sink, propane barbecue, food locker, restroom, and a covered living area. All State of California-operated Lake Oroville Floating campsites accommodate up to 15 people. The exact locations of the floating campsites depend on the lake’s elevation.

Boat In Campgrounds

Boat-in campgrounds are accessible only by boat and are open throughout the year. Check-in is available at Spillway and Lime Saddle entrance stations. Some campsites may be quite far from the shoreline during low water levels. The campsites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and can accommodate eight people. It is not allowed to camp on the shoreline. No drinking water is available, so bring enough for your stay. Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire ring, with nearby pit or vault-style toilets—campfires only in designated fire rings.

Lake Oroville State Recreation Area Campgrounds

There are three campgrounds located around Lake Oroville. Lime Saddle Campground has 35 campsites available for RVs, trailers, and tents. Loafer Creek Campground has 137 campsites available for RVs, trailers, and tents. Bidwell Canyon Campground offers 75 campsites divided on both sides of Bidwell Canyon Marina. Visit the Lake Oroville SRA website for current campground conditions and reservation information.

Houseboat Rentals Lake Oroville

There are two marinas at Lake Oroville: Bidwell Marina and Lime Saddle Marina. At Bidwell Marina, you can rent ski boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, and paddleboards. There is also a bar and grill. At Lime Saddle Marina, you can rent various boats, including houseboats. A great option if you cannot reserve one of the floating campsites is a houseboat. Renting a houseboat has an added advantage as you can move around the lake, unlike the floating campsites where you are stuck in one location.

Fishing Lake Oroville

Renowned for its fishing opportunities, Lake Oroville is considered one of the top fishing destinations in the state. Lake Oroville is an excellent place for fishing enthusiasts. The California Department of Fish and Game regularly stocks the lake with various fish species such as crappie, catfish, rainbow and German brown trout, bluegill, green sunfish, and Coho salmon from the nearby Feather River Fish Hatchery.

Feather River Nature Center

The Feather River Nature Center provides a peaceful setting for nature lovers to loosen up by the river while watching some of Lake Oroville’s full-time resident critters. Made of river rock, the center was formerly a bathhouse for gold miners and now offers excellent opportunities for swimming and picnicking. It’s at Montgomery St. & Old Ferry Rd., Oroville, California.

Hiking Lake Oroville

Many trails around Lake Oroville are perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. One of the most popular trails is the spectacular 640-foot Feather Falls. The round-trip trek is nine miles long and takes hikers to a viewpoint that overlooks the falls. It’s a perfect spot for picnicking or just relaxing. If you’re not into hiking, you can still enjoy the falls by boating to within a quarter-mile of them after the springtime snow runoff when the lake is high.

Where is Lake Oroville

Lake Oroville is an ideal destination for a family or friends vacation. It’s a great place to relax and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The Lake Oroville Recreation Area is located 70 miles away from Sacramento and 150 miles away from San Francisco, making it an easy and accessible destination for anyone looking to escape to a peaceful natural setting.

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