63 BEST OUTDOOR

Spots in Butte County

Looking to create your ultimate Butte County outdoor adventure but not sure where to start? Look no further than our list of the 63 Best Outdoor Spots, as voted on by Facebook and Instagram fans during March Madness 2020. Popular locations across four brackets—Parks and Recreation, Water Spots, Hiking and Adventure, and Scenic Beauties and Viewing—competed for the top spot, and these are the results. Whether you work your way through the list numerically or geographically, you’ll have a great time visiting any of these winners.

Vintage Views

While some of Butte County’s favorites are closed to visitors in 2021 due to recent wildfires, you can still enjoy these vintage views and get inspired for your trip when they’re open again.

#1 FEATHER FALLS SCENIC TRAIL [HA] & #3 FEATHER FALLS [SC]

It’s no surprise that these two finished at the top of their brackets at #1 and #3 overall: the scenic trail to Feather Falls is a beautiful and challenging 7-to-9-mile hike, while Feather Falls has been called the “most beautiful waterfall in California outside of Yosemite” by the San Francisco Chronicle. Looks like it really is about the journey in this case (though the destination is close behind).

#24 BALD ROCK [SC]

A granite batholith just like Yosemite’s famed Half Dome, Bald Rock is a prominent fixture along the skyline of certain parts of Lake Oroville and is particularly visible from Feather Falls.

#45 DOME TRAIL [HA]

Dome Trail plunges nearly 1,600 feet in a little over 2 miles to reach the Middle Fork of the Feather River just underneath Bald Rock Dome. And given the strenuous trek back, this really is a trail for experienced hikers only.

#21 CURTAIN FALLS [SC]

Those able to endure the difficult Dome Trail hike will discover Curtain Falls, featuring smooth, natural granite water slides and clear emerald water.

#30 BUTTE CREEK ECOLOGICAL PRESERVE [HA]

Located along the middle section of Butte Creek, the Butte Creek Ecological Preserve is a 93-acre site home to many species of special status, viewable during hikes through the area.

Chico

#4 BIDWELL-SACRAMENTO RIVER STATE PARK [PR]

Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park is the most popular Butte County park for good reason: water, sunshine, lazy days tubing down the river with your best buds...need we say more?

#12 BIG CHICO CREEK ECOLOGICAL RESERVE [HA]

Containing nearly 4,000 acres of diverse canyon and ridge habitats and home to a variety of species of plants and animals, Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve makes for a beautiful location for nature viewing.

#23 HOOKER OAK PARK [PR]

Featuring play equipment for 2-to-5-yearolds, handicap accessible play equipment for those 5-12, picnic areas, and more, Hooker Oak Park is a pleasant spot for families to spend a few hours.

#34 DEGARMO PARK [PR]

With youth softball fields, turf fields, a playground, a dog park, and picnic areas, DeGarmo Park is always a happening place. Introduce your four-legged friend to new buddies, watch a game, or simply enjoy the community park vibe.

#36 CHICO SEED ORCHARD [PR]

Enjoy a relaxing stroll through the international woodland at Chico Seed Orchard. Originally an outdoor research facility for hundreds of plants from around the world, many of them still grow in the 209-acre botanical gem. Read more on pg. 24.

#48 COMMUNITY PARK [PR]

Community Park is South Chico's premier public recreation facility, providing an ideal setting for recreational sports, public outings, and leisure activities.

#49 LLANO SECO UNIT [SC]

Llano Seco Unit consists of nearly 1,800 acres that support large populations of wintering waterfowl.

#53 SHERWOOD FOREST DISC GOLF [PR]

Located in Hooker Oak Park, the Sherwood Forest Disc Golf course is made just for children (and beginners of all ages), who will love the 9-hole Robin Hood-inspired course.

#62 CHICO COMMUNITY OBSERVATORY [SC]

Contemplate the stars and the sky at the Chico Community Observatory, where you can explore the universe firsthand and free of charge.

Bidwell Park

#8 YAHI TRAIL [HA]

The pedestrian-only Yahi Trail is perhaps the most popular trail

LLANO SECO UNIT in Bidwell Park. The Upper Bidwell Park favorite provides beautiful views along Big Chico Creek, leading all the way to Bear Hole.

#19 NORTH RIM TRAIL [HA]

Despite being one of the longest trails in Upper Bidwell Park, the North Rim Trail is a pretty easy hike since the grade is gradual and well-established. With sweeping views of the park and rocky lookout point, it’s a great trail for most hikers and bikers.

#22 PEREGRINE POINT DISC GOLF [PR]

With arguably some of the best views in Upper Bidwell Park, Peregrine Point Disc Golf offers 18 holes traversing a varied terrain overlooking the Sacramento Valley and Chico Creek Canyon.

#25 LOWER BIDWELL PARK [HA]

Flat and level with a thick canopy of trees, Lower Bidwell Park is perfect for easy, leisurely strolls and bike rides that everyone in the family can enjoy.

#26 CAPER ACRES [PR]

The iconic Lower Bidwell park for children under 13, Caper Acres is a magical location, featuring a crooked house, a pirate ship with a sea monster, and so much more.

#32 GUARDIAN TRAIL [HA]

Expert cyclists will enjoy the exposed single track that is the Guardian Trail, which is all downhill with some extreme drop-offs along the trail edges and views of Chico Creek Canyon below and valley to the west.

#38 MONKEY FACE [SC]

An easy 15-minute walk in Upper Bidwell Park will take you to Monkey Face, a popular rock formation from which you can enjoy scenic views of the rest of the park.

#41 ANNIE BIDWELL TRAIL [HA]

A 4.4 mile out-and-back in Upper Bidwell Park, Annie Bidwell Trail is best enjoyed in the spring, with the wildflower blooms, and the fall, with the colorful foliage.

Swimming Holes

The swimming holes in Bidwell Park are arguably the most popular features in the park (at least during the summer). Read all about #6 Salmon Hole [WS], #17 Brown’s Hole [WS], #18 Five Mile Recreation Area [WS], #31 Alligator Hole [WS], #59 Sycamore Pool [WS] on pgs. 22-23.

#2 BEAR HOLE AND DIVERSION DAM [WS]

Easy access, cool waters, and plenty of space for sunbathing makes Bear Hole and Diversion Dam the favorite Butte County spot for water recreation (and the favorite of all of Bidwell Park’s urban swimming holes).

High Country

#43 YURTING IN BUTTE MEADOWS [HA]

Run by Chico State’s Adventure Outings, the backcountry yurt in Butte Meadows makes for a special outdoor adventure—while you’ll have the covering of a settled yurt, you’ll definitely still be roughing it.

#50 PACIFIC CREST TRAIL [HA]

Butte County’s 12-mile stretch of the Pacific Crest Trail sits near the halfway point of the trail’s total 2,653 miles, and the 6-mile hike between Humboldt Summit and Humbug Summit features particularly amazing views of the surrounding mountains.

#55 SNOWMOBILING IN JONESVILLE [HA]

During the winter, Jonesville becomes a winter wonderland, perfect for hiking, snowshoeing, and, especially, snowmobiling. Hang out at Jonesville Snowmobile Park or venture out to Colby Mountain Lookout for a full day of fun!

#56 COLBY MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT [SC]

Located in Butte County’s high country, Colby Mountain Lookout provides a panoramic view of Lassen National Forest.

#57 HUMBOLDT PEAK [HA]

At Humboldt Peak, nearly the highest point in the county, enjoy a short hike to the 7,087-foot peak and 360-degree views of faraway places.

Oroville

#10 WILD & SCENIC HIGHWAY 70 [SC]

There’s no prettier road trip through Butte County than on the Wild & Scenic Highway 70 Feather River Byway. Running along the middle fork of the Feather River, one of the original wild and scenic rivers in the country, Highway 70 is a drive worth enjoying.

#14 OROVILLE WILDLIFE AREA [PR]

A popular spot for fishing, wildlife viewing, and hunting, the 11,000-acre Oroville Wildlife Area offers an abundance of riparian viewing along the Feather River and grasslands around Thermalito Afterbay.

#16 LAKE OROVILLE [WS]

The second-largest reservoir in the state, Lake Oroville is the go-to spot for boating, jet and water skiing, bass fishing, and general water enthusiasts when the weather warms.

#20 FEATHER RIVER FISH HATCHERY [PR]

The Feather River Fish Hatchery plays an important role in sustaining the population of salmon and trout in the river, but it’s also just a fun place for a visit! Read more on pg. 20-21.

#35 LOAFER CREEK RECREATION AREA [PR]

Loafer Creek Recreation Area has 137 tent campsites, a boat launch, equestrian trails, and more, making it a popular spot on the shores of Lake Oroville any time of the year.

#40 FOREBAY AQUATIC CENTER [WS]

Those looking for a spot for kayaking, rowing, or stand-up paddleboarding fun for all ages will want to head out to Forebay Aquatic Center. The calm waters of Thermalito Forebay make it a perfect place to bring the whole family or try something new.

#46 RIVERBEND PARK [PR]

So named for its prime location along the Feather River in Oroville, Riverbend Park features 210 acres of park space, including a boat launch, sandy beach disc golf course, picnic areas, playground, and more.

#51 BRAD FREEMAN TRAIL [HA]

The Brad Freeman Trail is a 41-mile adventure around the Oroville area that offers a huge variety of scenic vistas and day trip options for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Visitors will enjoy a variety in both scenery and trail conditions.

#52 BIDWELL CANYON MARINA [WS]

Another popular boat launch area on Lake Oroville, Bidwell Canyon Marina offers all that anyone could need for a full day of lake fun— boat rentals, camping, boat storage, a bar and grill, and more.

#54 BIDWELL BAR SUSPENSION BRIDGE [SC]

When locals talk about the Bidwell Bar Suspension Bridge, they’re usually referring to one along State Route 162, which is both a beautiful icon and a place for unique views of the lake. However, the original Bidwell Bar Bridge from 1855 also still stands today near Bidwell Canyon Marina and is open for foot traffic.

#61

CLAY PIT SVRA [HA]

Two miles west of Oroville, the Clay Pit State Vehicular Recreation Area is a playground for dirt bikers, ATV riders, and 4x4 enthusiasts.

#63 LAKE OROVILLE VISITORS CENTER [SC]

Located atop Kelly Ridge and overlooking the lake and the dam, the Lake Oroville Visitors Center is an interpretive museum showcasing the dam and region’s history. It also has a 47-foot viewing tower, with two high-powered telescopes, where you’ll enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the lake.

Wildflowers And Waterfalls

If you’re visiting Butte County in the spring, a trip to the North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve is an absolute must. Just make sure to buy your CDFW Lands Pass online before your visit!

#5 TABLE MOUNTAIN [SC]

For wildflowers and waterfalls, there’s no better place than Table Mountain. During the rainy season, dozens of waterfalls flow, and springtime covers the ecological reserve with wildflowers as far as the eye can see.

#9 PHANTOM FALLS [SC]

So named for its ephemeral nature, Phantom Falls only flows during the rainy season, when you can watch it flow 166 feet off the edge of Coal Canyon. It’s beautiful and fleeting, which makes it all the more striking to see it in person.

#11 MANY WATERFALLS CROSS-COUNTRY LOOP [HA]

With at least nine, and up to 14, waterfalls after a rainfall, the challenging Many Waterfalls Cross-Country Loop lives up to its name. Just make sure to go right after it rains.

#27 RAVINE FALLS [SC]

One of the few other waterfalls you’ll see on the way to Phantom Falls, Ravine Falls (aka, Fern Falls) is a 71-foot waterfall with a beautiful flow during the rainy season.

Paradise Ridge

#7 BILLE PARK [PR]

With towering trees for shade yet lots of sunny spots, plus parks for the kiddos and a view overlooking Butte Creek Canyon, Bille Park is a local favorite for good reason.

#13 CLOTILDE MERLO PARK [PR]

At just 20 acres, the beautiful Clotilde Merlo Park in Stirling City, open May through October, is a must-visit if you’re exploring Paradise Ridge.

#29 BUTTE CREEK WATERSHED OVERLOOK [SC]

The Butte Creek Watershed is home to high green meadows, pools and riffles, and a miniature "Grand Canyon"-view of Butte Creek, with a spectacular overlook vista on Skyway.

#33 PARADISE LAKE [WS]

Tucked amidst the pines, Paradise Lake is a postcard-perfect picture location for relaxed walking, hiking, or boating along the 4.5-mile trail on its western shore. With gorgeous conifer woodland surrounding the shoreline, you might even spot a bald eagle or a bear.

#44 LAKE CONCOW [WS]

Hidden in the Sierra/Cascade foothills, Lake

Concow is a beautiful place to visit, fish, or camp. Tall trees provide shady camping, fishing along the lake shore, or picnicking along the banks of the creek.

#60 LAKE DESABLA [WS]

Located on the north side of Magalia, Lake DeSabla is a small and calm location perfect for fishing for planted rainbow trout or simply enjoying the views.

South County

#37 LAVENDER RANCH [PR]

You’ve never really smelled lavender until you’ve taken a tour at Lavender Ranch, where you’ll learn about not only lavender but the 15 other botanicals grown and distilled on-site in Biggs. Reservations are required, so make sure to plan ahead.

#47 GRAY LODGE WILDLIFE AREA [SC]

During the winter bird migration season, a drive to Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in Gridley is a must. But any season you visit, the walk and wildlife are worth the visit. Make sure to buy your CDFW Lands Pass online before your visit.

#58 UPPER BUTTE BASIN WILDLIFE AREA [SC]

Considered one of the finest wetland habitat complexes in North America, the Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area acts as a resting place for wintering migratory birds as well as a popular hunting location.

Water Ways

#15 FEATHER RIVER [WS]

The Feather River feeds and creates Lake Oroville, and the North, South, and Middle Forks are wild rivers perfect for fishing, kayaking, and white water kayaking.

#28 SACRAMENTO RIVER [WS]

Butte County’s share of the Sacramento River has some of the best river recreation in the state! Enjoy tubing, boating, and fishing adventures as well as hundreds of acres of protected riparian habitat.

#39 (AND #42) SLY CREEK RECREATION AREA [PR] & SLY CREEK RESERVOIR [WS]

Tucked away in the eastern corner of Butte County, the remote Sly Creek Recreation Area attracts campers, anglers, and flatwater boating enthusiasts. The recreation area’s centerpiece is Sly Creek Reservoir, which is surrounded by conifer-lined shores and features emerald-hued water just begging to be swimmed in.

From the southern border to the northernmost corner, there’s so much to discover in Butte County. With our 63 Best Outdoor Spots as your guide, plan a weekend or two (or definitely more) to come and explore the best of Butte County.