Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
WORTH A TRIP
LAKE OROVILLE
Lake Oroville
(
www.parks.ca.gov
; 917 Kelly Ridge Rd; 8am-night), a popular summertime
destination, sits 9 miles northeast of town behind
Oroville Dam
, the largest earthen dam
in the US. The surrounding
Lake Oroville State Recreation Area
attracts campers,
Kelly Ridge Rd; 9am-5pm) has exhibits on the California State Water Project and local
tribe history, plus a
viewing tower
and loads of recreational information.
The area surrounding Lake Oroville is also full of hiking trails, and a favorite is the 7-mile
round-trip walk to 640ft
Feather Falls
. To get off your feet,
Lazy T Trailrides
(
530-518-4052;
http://lazyttrailrides.com
; Saddle Dam parking lot, opp 283 Kelly Ridge Rd; per person
$75; rides at 10am & 5pm) offers four-hour horseback rides on dedicated trails around the
lake. The
Brad Freeman Bicycle Trail
is a 41-mile, off-road loop that takes cyclists to the
top of 770ft Oroville Dam, then follows the Feather River back to the Thermalito Forebay
and Afterbay storage reservoirs, east of Hwy 70. The ride is mostly flat, but the dam as-
cent is steep. Get a free map of the ride from the
Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce
(
www.orovillechamber.net
; 1789 Montgomery St). The
Forebay Aquatic Center
(
www.forebayaquaticcenter.com
; 930 Garden Dr; kayaks per day from $35;
10am-6pm Wed-Sun
May-Sep) rents non-motorized watercraft to get out on the water.
Stay overnight in rustic
campsites
on land or even on water.
Sights & Activities
Chinese Temple
MUSEUM
( 530-538-2496; 1500 Broderick St; adult/child $3/free; noon-4pm)
This restored temple and museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Oroville's Chinese leg-
acy well worth exploring. Built in 1863, it served the Chinese community, which built the
area's levees and at its peak numbered 10,000. Inside is an unrivaled collection of 19th-
century stage finery, religious shrines and a small garden with fine Qing-era relics
throughout.
