The Brad Freeman/Dan Beebe Trail offers a 44.5 mile loop perfect for scenic hiking and biking. Over the weekend Chamber CEO/President, Eric Smith; Communications Coordinator, Amber Marron; and their families walked a small couple mile portion of the trail up to the old train tunnel.
Our hike ended at the old train tunnel that was used to bring in supplies to build the Oroville Dam. Once through the train tunnel the path continues along the beautiful Feather River. You can see a full map of trails from the Department of Water Resources by Clicking Here.
If you have any questions about recreation in Oroville, you can contact us at (530) 538-2542, email at info@orovillechamber.com, or head to LakeOrovillet.net. The weather is perfect to take the family to a variety of camping spots Oroville has to offer. The breathtaking scenery around Oroville offers plenty of nature to explore on the land and in the water.
The Lake Oroville State Recreation Area offers a variety of camping amenities at the Bidwell Canyon Campground, Lime Saddle Campground, and Loafer Creek Campground. These include picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, sail and power boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, boat-in camping, floating campsites and horse camping. A special note should be made that currently in the Spring of 2019 Bidwell Canyon Campground has several FEMA sites to help house families that were affected by the 2018 Camp Fire that has affected camping availability. To reserve a campsite at the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area, head to Reserve California, or reach out to the individual campgrounds: Bidwell Canyon Campground (530) 538-2218 Lime Saddle Campground (530) 876-8516 Loafer Creek Campground (530) 538-2217 For those who enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of their RVs there are several places in Oroville that offer fantastic views and amazing customer service. River Reflections offers a beautiful view of the Feather River. Call (530) 533-1995 or Visit the Website. Riffles RV Park & Campground also offers amazing views of the Feather River and fishing. Call (530) 534-9956 or Visit the Website. Lake Oroville Gold Country RV Community sits near Lake Oroville and has a pool, showers, and laundry machines. Call (530) 534-1133 or Visit the Website. Feather Falls Casino gives you the complete KOA experience nestled in the foothills of Oroville. Call (530) 533-9020 or Visit the Website. River One RV Park has boating and water sports near its location on the Feather River. Call (530) 533-8679 or Visit the Website. Berry Creek Rancheria RV Park gives you easy access to the entertainment Gold Country Casino Resort Provides. Call (866) 991-5061 or Visit the Website. If you want more information, always feel free to contact the Oroville Chamber at (530) 538-2542 or email at info@orovillechamber.com. For all of you interested in the great outdoors, Feather Falls is a must see. The view of the towering waterfall is a 4.5-mile hike from the base. The total round trip from top to bottom is over 8 miles, so be sure to stay hydrated throughout your journey.
The falls reach a 410-foot vertical granite slab where it projects its energy through a narrow passageway. During the late winter months, the water levels reach maximum levels and allow Feather Falls to come alive. The top of the falls is easily accessible and delivers a breathtaking scene of the deep valley that lies beneath. For those who are not fans of heights, an additional viewpoint was constructed that allows viewers to observe from a comfortable distance. There is a big parking lot and pit toilets at the trailhead. There's only one trail from the parking lot and about 1/2 mi in it splits off to Upper/Lower Trails. The lower more strenuous trail is 3.5 miles and a moderate to heavy hike. The upper trail is moderate but a little longer hike of 4.5 miles. Most of all don't forget your camera! Feather Falls never disappoints and it is definitely a bucket list hike. Click here for trail map. If you’ve ever wished you could walk through fields of wildflowers with waterfalls around every corner then North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve in the springtime is the place for you! It is best to take your time and make a day of it. Start off by getting a picnic lunch at Wagon Wheel Market where you can find fresh local food and a delicious deli! Official access to the reserve is through a parking lot on the west side of Cherokee Road. You will know you’ve arrived when you see a blue gate. There are no specific trails so you have to explore this area old-school style by following streams to get to the waterfalls or by using a compass. There are several species of flowers that bloom during this period. The most common are lupine, frying-pan poppy, and goldfields. The flowers are protected by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, so picking them is illegal, but visitors are allowed to look and even touch the flowers, as long as they are not damaged. The best flowers are usually found in the area between Fern and Phantom Falls.
After spending the day chasing waterfalls and hiking through ancient lava fields, you can grab a bite to eat and a beer at The Exchange in Oroville, just a 20-minute drive away. Passes: A CDFW Lands Pass must be carried by each visitor who is 16 years of age or older, however, visitors who are carrying a valid California hunting or fishing license in their name are exempt from this requirement. Lands passes may be purchased on-line, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or in-person at locations wherever hunting and fishing licenses are sold. Lands passes cannot be substituted for Wildlife Area Hunting Passes, which are required for adult hunters on Type-A and Type-B wildlife areas. On Saturday, January 26, Communications Coordinator, Amber Marron went on the Lake Oroville Visitor Center‘s Saturday Morning Nature Walk. This walk took us up Sycamore Hill on a beautiful morning. The wind was crisp, but 17 other people joined me on this three mile walk. Hikers were both young and old, and with this being the toughest hike from January due to the steeper incline, everyone was able to complete the three mile walk just fine. The guides from the Lake Oroville Visitor Center were always open to answering questions about species of mushrooms and plants to how the hiking trail was created. Once we climbed in elevation there were gorgeous views of the Oroville Dam and the river below. Right before the very top there was a Trail Log for the Brad Freeman/Dan Bebee Trail which I signed. Unfortunately I could not make it to the very top due to my susceptibility to poison oak, so if you are looking to hike Sycamore Hill make sure to take precautions due to the presence of poison oak. Overall it was a great time that I will continue to participate in! These weekly walks take place every Saturday with hikers meeting at the Lake Oroville Visitor Center at 9:00 am sharp.
Learn what it took to build the Nation’s tallest dam and California’s second-largest reservoir by touring the Lake Oroville Visitor Center. There are free movies to watch, exhibits on the California State Water Project, a 46-foot viewing tower with free telescopes, and information on gold mining and Native American history. ACTIVITY: MORNING NATURE WALKSHERE’S THE FEBRUARY 2019 SCHEDULE:
Hikes average around 4 miles and are for all skill levels. The group leaves at 9 AM sharp and returns by around noon. Bring water, a snack, and dress for the weather. Be sure to Visit their Facebook Page for more info and updates. LOCATION INFO PHONE (530) 538-2219 HOURS The Visitor's Center is open every day from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. GRAB YOUR BINOCULARS — THE SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL BEGINS TOMORROW!From Wednesday, January 23rd, through Sunday, January 27th, they’ll be offering the ultimate birding experience! There is still space available for some of the exciting field trips and workshops, but they are filling up fast. You can sign up online:
http://www.snowgoosefestival.org/events/field_trips.php You can also check out the Snow Goose Festival Wildlife Art Exhibit at the Museum of Northern California Art from Jan 24 – Jan 27. There will be a formal opening reception Friday, January 25th from 5 to 8 pm. Details here: http://www.monca.org/event -- If that wasn’t enough to do, we’re also in the middle of Restaurant Week! After hiking around birding all day, treat yourself to a perfect pairing. For a list of participating restaurants, Explore Butte County has you covered: https://www.explorebuttecounty.com/restaurant-week/ Photograph by Mike Peters LOCATION INFO WEBSITE Visit website » HOURS Wednesday, January 23rd, through Sunday, January 27th |
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