Lake Oroville State Recreation Area

Overview

Lake Oroville State Recreation Area is currently open and operating normally. The park encompasses approximately 28,450 acres near Oroville and features California's tallest earthen dam (770 feet above the Feather River streambed). The Department of Water Resources implemented a mandatory vessel inspection program effective May 19, 2025, for invasive mussel mitigation—visitors should plan for additional time and possible delays at launch ramps before launching. Day use areas operate 8 a.m. to sunset, campgrounds are open 24/7, and launch ramps generally run 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park offers diverse camping including family sites, group sites, floating campsites (check-in currently at Loafer Creek Kiosk), boat-in camps, RV sites with hookups, and a state-of-the-art horse camp. Fishing is outstanding year-round for largemouth/smallmouth bass, chinook salmon, catfish, mackinaw, sturgeon, and brown trout (California fishing license required; check slot limit regulations for black bass). Dogs are restricted to parking lots, paved roadways, and campgrounds—not allowed on trails, day-use areas, or floating campsites. The area features extensive hiking, biking, and equestrian trail systems, plus the Kelly Ridge Visitor Center with a 47-foot viewing tower offering panoramic views.