Overview
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing and boating with a good number of accessible areas. The 15,000 acre lake was created as part of the California Water Project when the tallest earth-filled dam in the country was constructed along the Feather River. The Visitor Center is off Highway 162 (Olive Highway) on Kelly Ridge Road. Phone 530-538-2219 to reach the Visitor Center.
Camping
Loafer Creek Area
Coyote Campground has seven sites that are mostly accessible. Restrooms: Six new comfort stations each have two accessibly designed unisex toilet rooms. Routes of Travel: Most paths of travel to unisex toilet rooms are generally accessible.
Horse Camp Accessible campsites and a combination restroom and shower facillity are available. The campfire center is has accessible seating and paths or travel and offers listening assistance devices.
Bidwell Canyon Area
Big Pine Campground Accessible campsites and combination restroom shower facilities are available.
Gold Flat Campground Accessible campsites and combination restroom shower facilities are available.
Picnic Area
South Thermalito Forebay Day Use Area. Accessibly designed tables are available. Accessible fish cleaning station and adjacent parking and non-flush restroom.
North Thermalito Forebay Day Use Area. This prime bird-watching territory has six new accessible picnic sites on accessible routes. Accessible spaces, including one van accessible, are available. An accessible restroom is available.
Swim Beach Day Use Area. Accessible picnic tables, water spigots, and parking are available.
Trails
The North Forebay Trail (see photo below) is a beach access trail that allows waterfront hiking along the forebay and is accessible for 0.8 mile. Trailhead, parking and accessible restrooms are at the North Forebay.
The Potters Ravine Trail is accessible for .6 miles, round trip. Trailhead and parking are located near the spillway.
The Wyk Island Trail is a lakeside trail that is accessible for 0.20 mile. Trailhead and accessible parking are at the Bidwell Canyon Boat Launch Parking area.
The Chaparral Interpretive Trail: Located adjacent to the visitor center, the Chaparral Interpretive Trail offers visitors a short .2 mile loop trail through a microcosm of environments found around the lake. This trail contains many interpretive panels to learn about the diverse local ecosystem. The trail surface is constructed of compacted soil. Accessible parking and restrooms are located at the visitor center.
The Bidwell Canyon Bike Trail is barrier-free, though not accessible, for 5.5 miles through a foothills environment. It may be usable and challenging for strong wheelchair users. Trailhead, dirt parking lot and an accessible portable are at Saddle Dam.
Beach/Shore Access
North Thermalito Forebay Day Use Area.
A new accessible paved path weaves from the parking area through the picnic area and to the water's edge. Accessible parking and restroom are nearby. An outdoor rinsing shower is accessibly designed. See photo below.
Exhibits/Programs
Lake Oroville Visitor Center. The structure is generally accessible, and further accessibility modifications are nearly complete. Exhibits are generally accessible. Captioned video. Restrooms: Exterior restrooms are generally accessible. Parking lot includes two accessible spaces in front and two behind the visitor center. The route of travel to the building from the front spaces is accessible.
Bidwell Canyon Area
The Toll House visitor center is accessible and provides interesting history of the area. Accessible parking and restroom are available. A short path across the bridge is accessible.
Spillway Area
A visitor Center is accessible with accessible parking and restrooms.
Fishing
Loafer Creek Area
Accessible parking, restroom, and restroom with showers are available.
Bidwell Canyon Area
Tollhouse. An accessible fish cleaning table and a few accessible picnic tables are nearby.
Spillway Area
An accessible fish cleaning station is available, including accessible parking in both upper and lower (pull-through) lots.
Other Information
Bidwell Marina
The store and restaurant at the Bidwell Marina are accessible; however when lake levels are low, visitors with mobility disabilities may require assistance navigating the steep walkway that leads to the floating marina facilities. During periods of low lake levels the marina operates a shuttle service to assist visitors in reaching the marina and staff is on hand to help out and offer assistance whenever it is requested. The marina operates an accessible shuttle boat to assist owners of moored vessels in reaching their boats and patio pontoon boats are available to rent that are designed to be accessible to people who use wheelchairs, including accessible toilet facilities on board. Requests for assistance can be made in advance by calling the marina office at (530)-589-9175.
Lake Oroville Marina
Located in the Lime Saddle Area, the Lake Oroville Marina includes accessible parking, restrooms, boat slips and marina store. The marina has six accessibly designed houseboats for rent and offers water and dry land shuttle service to people with disabilities upon request. Call (530) 877-2414 for more information.
Definitions & Terms
Accessible
Meets all or most of the current accessibility standards; most visitors with disabilities will not need assistance.
Generally accessible
Meets many current codes and has few barriers, but some visitors with disabilities may need assistance.
Usable
Meets some current codes but has some barriers; many visitors with disabilities may require assistance.
Designated accessible
Describes facilities that have been set aside and usually signed or “designated” accessible because they met accessibility codes when built. Such facilities may vary from newer suggested guidelines in specified ways, and improvements may be planned or ongoing. Minor variations from guidelines are not usually described. This term is often used for parking spaces that are reserved for visitors with disabilities even though there may be minor issues with slope, signage, or size.
