Drone FOOTAGE of floating campground

BOATING EXPERIENCES

reserve a Floating Campground

Many lakes in California offer lakeside camping, but Lake Oroville is home to the only campsites in the state where you can picnic, barbecue, and pitch your tent right on the lake! Lake Oroville’s 10 floating campsites each feature room for up to 15 visitors and three vessels (two personal watercraft count as one vessel). Bring food for grilling and take advantage of the propane barbecue and shaded picnic table. A sink, restroom, and storage closet help make the floating campsites convenient for the entire family. You can pitch several tents on the flat upper deck or just sleep under the stars. The floating campsites make a perfect home base in between your other adventures on Lake Oroville (just make sure to bring of drinking water with you, as there's no potable water on the campsites!).
Make your reservations at Reserve California. You’ll be able to pick which site you want, if available.
  • Floating campsites #1, #2, #3, #5, and #6 are close to Bidwell Canyon Marina and the Spillway and Loafer Creek boat launch ramps. Campsite #1 has accessibility features.
  • Site #4 on the North Fork of Lake Oroville is the closest site to Lime Saddle
  • Sites #7 through #10 are found east of the Bidwell Bar Bridge (Highway 162) near the Enterprise boat launch ramp.
Reservations are available April 1 through October 15, up to 6 months in advance of arrival date. Fees are $175 per night.

Marina/Rentals
Boat supplies and rentals are available on the south end of Lake Oroville at Bidwell Marina or on the north end of the lake at the Lime Saddle Marina. You can call Bidwell Marina at 530-589-9175 or the Lake Oroville Marina at 800-255-5561.

The Forebay Aquatic Center, located at the North Forebay off Hwy. 70, rents kayaks, canoes, sailboats, paddleboats, and more. They also offer lessons and youth camps.  Call for more information (530)774-7934.
Lake Oroville is best explored by boat. Easy access is provided by several launch ramps around the lake shore, and you can rent boats at the Bidwell or Lake Oroville Marinas.

On this page you'll also find information about boating at the other Lake Oroville SRA areas, including the Afterbay, Forebay and Diversion Pool.

See current lake elevations

BOAT LAUNCH RAMPS

PictureLake Oroville Marina
There are several multilane boat launches around Lake Oroville: ​Current Boat Ramp Closures and Availability link:
​


For confirmation of the current ramp status contact the
Lake Oroville Visitor Center at (530) 538-2200

Bidwell Canyon  Marina
  • 7 lanes from 900 to 850 ft
  • 5 lanes from 850 to 802 ft
  • 4 lanes from 802 to 781 ft
  • 3 lanes from 781 to 735 ft
  • 3 lanes from 745 to 680 ft
​There is variable access to 655 ft, Bidwell Marina advises removing boats from lake at 680 ft.
​Bidwell Marina: 530-589-9175
Car-top Boat Launches  
  • Dark to 847 ft.
  • Nelson Bar  to 854 ft.
  • Canyon Stringtown  to 869 ft.
  • Vinton Gulch  to 849 ft.
  • Foreman Creek  to 730 ft.
Loafer Creek 
  • 8 lanes from 900 to 800 ft
  • 2 lanes from 800 to 775 ft
Spillway Boat Launch
  • 12 lanes from 900 to 810 ft
  • 8 lanes from 820 to 726 ft
  • 2 lanes from 726 to 695 ft
  • 1 lane gravel from 695 to 685 ft
Enterprise
  • 2 lanes from 900 to 750 ft.
Lake Oroville Marina at Lime Saddle 
  • 5 lanes from 900 to 853 ft.
  • 4 lanes from 900 to 801 ft.
  • 3 lanes from 900 to 762 ft.
  • 2 lanes from 900 to 702 ft.