Located at the south end of Lake Oroville, Loafer Creek Recreation Area has 137 tent campsites, each with parking, a table and a cooking stove. The facility also includes a boat launch, restrooms, coin-operated showers, drinking water, swimming, group sites, a dump station, and equestrian and hiking trails. Trailers up to 31 feet and RVs up to 40 feet are welcome.
The Oroville Wildlife Area is over 11,000 acres of riparian woodland habitat along the Feather River and grasslands around the Thermalito Afterbay. Popular activities include fishing, wildlife viewing, hunting, and shooting range.
Lake Oroville State Rec Area offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, sail and power boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, boat-in camping, floating campsites and horse camping.
The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve is located on the ancestral land of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe and under the direction of Chico State Enterprises. Their mission is to work to preserve critical habitat and to provide a natural area for environmental research and education.
The Honey Run Covered Bridge is a historic landmark located in Chico, California. The Honey Run Covered Bridge is situated in Butte Creek Canyon, approximately 6 miles northeast of downtown Chico. It spans across Butte Creek, surrounded by scenic natural beauty.
One Mile Recreation Area is located within Lower Bidwell Park, just a few blocks from downtown Chico and easily accessible from East 4th Street. Enjoy swimming at Sycamore Pool, barbecues, softball, horseshoe pits and more. The extent of One Mile is from Pine Street to Highway 99, although the walking/biking trails extend beyond the highway
Five Mile Recreation Area is a popular park located in Bidwell Park in Chico, California. It offers a beautiful natural setting with shaded areas, picnic spots, and access to Big Chico Creek, making it a perfect place for outdoor activities like swimming, hiking, picnicking, and enjoying nature. The area is known for its grassy lawns, oak trees, and shallow creek spots that are great for families with children.
Elam is a backcountry camp for equestrians and backpackers. It’s just off the Redwood Creek Trail. The camp is just a wide spot in the trail with three picnic tables and two bear boxes. A side trail climbs up into the redwoods, where an outhouse is perched on the steep hillside. A few yards down the main trail is a corral and horse trough with another bear box.
Dive right into Butte County’s gold rush past by visiting the Forks of Butte Creek Recreation Area. This beautifully forested area is just north of the quaint Sierra Nevada foothill town of Magalia — home of the 54-pound "Dogtown Nugget."
Located in central northern California, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area provides habitat to over 300 species of resident and migratory birds and mammals, including more than 1 million waterfowl every year. Seasonal hunting and fishing, wildlife viewing, nature trails and a taxidermy exhibit are among the popular attractions of this land.
The Upper Bidwell Park is situated on the eastern outskirts of Chico and covers an expansive area of approximately 3,670 acres. It is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States and offers a range of recreational opportunities and natural beauty. The park extends into the Sierra Nevada foothills, offering a diverse landscape of canyons, hills, and valleys.
Phantom Falls, also known as Coal Canyon Falls, is a stunning waterfall located in the Oroville area of California. Phantom Falls is situated in the Table Mountain Ecological Reserve, which is northeast of Oroville and approximately 20 miles northeast of Chico. The waterfall is part of the diverse and scenic landscape of the reserve.
The North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve is a unique natural area located in Butte County near Oroville, California. The reserve is situated about 8 miles northwest of Oroville and approximately 70 miles north of Sacramento. It covers an area of approximately 3,315 acres and is part of the larger Table Mountain Complex.
The Paradise Aquatic Park, more formally known as the Paul Bryne Aquatic Park, features a creek that flows into a tranquil pond with a fountain that makes and excellent backdrop for photos and an afternoon out. You can enjoy the fishing pond, creek, waterfall and the public swimming pool across the driveway.
Ranch Falls, aka Long Falls, is a very spectacular tiered waterfall, consisting of a fabulous upper cascade of 74 ft., then a straight plunge of 83 ft. The lower plunge is difficult or impossible to view from above.
The Llano Seco Unit offers great views of the wildlife that calls the Unit home from the two observation platforms or along the half-mile walking trail. The best time for bird watching is November through February.
Butte Creek is tributary to the Sacramento River, joining the river in the vicinity of Colusa, California. About 93 miles (150 km) in length, it runs through much of Butte County, California.
