Which Lake Oroville boat ramps are open?

State Parks posts a dated status page. On April 29, 2026 it listed Bidwell Canyon, Spillway, Loafer Creek and Lime Saddle open and Enterprise closed. Open ramps change with the water level, so check current lake levels.

Are there mussel inspections at Lake Oroville?

DWR ended mandatory inspections, decontamination and seals on April 29, 2026, and launching returned to 24 hours a day. Clean, Drain and Dry is still asked of all boaters.

Are there floating campsites on Lake Oroville?

Yes. There are ten floating campsites, each 20 by 24 feet, sleeping up to 15 people, with tables, grills, restrooms and covered living areas.

Which marinas are on Lake Oroville?

Bidwell Canyon Marina and Lime Saddle Marina, both offering docking, fuel, rentals and supplies.

What is the speed limit on Lake Oroville?

5 mph within 100 feet of a swimmer or 200 feet of any shore, boat-launching facility or designated mooring area.

Lake Oroville Boating Guide: Ramps, Floating Camps & Marinas

Q: What lake levels do the ramps work at?

The April 29, 2026 page listed operating elevations: Bidwell Canyon 900 to 740 feet, Spillway 821 to 734, Loafer Creek 900 to 804, Lime Saddle 900 to 707.

Q: Where are the boat-in camps?

State Parks lists first-come boat-in camps at Craig Saddle, Foreman Point, Goat Ranch and Bloomer Primitive Area.

Overview

Lake Oroville is California's second-largest reservoir and the centerpiece of Lake Oroville State Recreation Area in Butte County, about 68 miles north of Sacramento on Highway 70. California State Parks lists about 15,500 surface acres and 167 miles of shoreline behind a dam that is the tallest earth-filled dam in the country. Boaters come for bass, trout and catfish fishing, houseboating, waterskiing and camping from a boat.

Launch ramps and water level

The four main ramps are Bidwell Canyon, Lime Saddle, Spillway and Loafer Creek. Each works only within an elevation band, so which ramp is usable depends on the lake. State Parks posts a dated ramp status page. On April 29, 2026 it listed Bidwell Canyon open (Stage 1) from elevation 900 down to 740 feet, Spillway open (Stage 2) from 821 to 734, Loafer Creek open from 900 to 804 and Lime Saddle open from 900 to 707. Enterprise was closed. Those are the lake-level ranges for each ramp, not today's status, so check current lake levels.

Camping on the water

Ten floating campsites, each 20 by 24 feet and sleeping up to 15 people, have tables, grills, restrooms and covered living areas. State Parks also lists first-come boat-in camps at Craig Saddle, Foreman Point, Goat Ranch and Bloomer Primitive Area.

Marinas and mussels

Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle marinas offer docking, fuel, rentals and supplies. The Department of Water Resources ended its mandatory mussel inspection program at Lake Oroville on April 29, 2026, and 24-hour launching resumed, but Clean, Drain, Dry is still asked of every boater. Speed is limited to 5 mph within 100 feet of a swimmer or 200 feet of shore, a launch or a mooring area.

Getting there & access

Ramps and the elevation ranges they work in

State Parks' ramp status page dated April 29, 2026 listed operating elevations: Bidwell Canyon 900 to 740 feet, Spillway 821 to 734, Loafer Creek 900 to 804 and Lime Saddle 900 to 707 (Enterprise 900 to 842, closed that day). When the lake falls below a ramp's range, that ramp closes. Check current lake levels and the State Parks ramp status page for today's situation.

Bidwell Canyon

The Bidwell Canyon launch (Canyon Drive, Oroville) lists 350 trailer-parking spaces, one boarding float and a boat washdown area. The marina is beside it. See the Bidwell Canyon Marina page.

Lime Saddle, Spillway and Loafer Creek

Lime Saddle is a five-lane ramp with its own marina. The Spillway ramp is at the north end of the dam, and Loafer Creek has its own ramp. The Thermalito Forebay has a paved ramp for fishing and power boats at the South Forebay, while the North Forebay is non-motorized only.

Floating and boat-in camping

The floating campsites and boat-in camps are operated by State Parks. Boat-in camps are first come, first served, with 6 to 26 individual sites per location and a group camp that holds up to 75 people. A floating restroom is also listed by the state. Call (530) 538-2200 about reservations and current availability.

Amenities

Launch ramps — Bidwell Canyon, Lime Saddle, Spillway, Loafer Creek, plus South Forebay and car-top ramps
Marinas — Bidwell Canyon and Lime Saddle: docking, fuel, rentals and supplies
Floating campsites — 10 sites for up to 15 people each, with tables, grills, restrooms and covered living areas
Boat-in camps — Craig Saddle, Foreman Point, Goat Ranch, Bloomer Primitive Area
Floating restroom — Listed by California's boating facilities directory
Boat washdown — At Bidwell Canyon launch
Visitor center — Kelly Ridge Visitor Center with a viewing tower
Campgrounds — Family, group and equestrian camping