Overview
The Thermalito Forebay (North and South) provides another unique recreation experience compared to the other geographic areas of the Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. Its relatively stable water elevation level, near-town location and developed day use facilities provide an experience that is much different from Lake Oroville. Access is good by existing roads, trails and by motorized (South Forebay only) and non-motorized watercraft. No camping is allowed, except en-route RV camping in the North Forebay Day Use Area.
Boat ramps
North Thermalito Forebay Boat Ramp and Day Use Area: The North Thermalito Forebay area covers roughly half (300 surface acres) of the Thermalito Forebay’s 630 surface acres and hosts non-motorized boating and other recreational activities. The North Thermalito Forebay Boat Ramp and Day Use Area has a seasonally staffed visitor information and fee collection booth and two paved boat ramps, one with two lanes and one with three lanes. There are six flush toilets (four are ADA accessible) and 251 single-vehicle parking spaces (three are ADA accessible). The site also has 26 vehicle/trailer parking spaces (one is ADA accessible). Additional parking is available along the south side of the picnic area. The day use area has a swimming beach, large picnic area with 117 tables, large and small shared BBQ grills, shade trees, drinking faucets and a telephone. There are additional picnic sites near the Aquatic Center and a hardened trail that circles the lagoon.
South Thermalito Forebay Boat Ramp and Day Use Area: Located at the southern end of the Thermalito Forebay, this recreational site has a self-registration pay station, a two-lane boat ramp, 10 shaded picnic tables, 10 BBQs, shade trees, a vault toilet building and a fish cleaning station. There is a graded and graveled parking area approximately 60 square yards near the boat ramp and an undetermined number of parking spaces near the picnic tables. Power boating (limited to about 330 acres of the Thermalito Forebay’s 630-acre pool) and fishing are the South Forebay’s main recreation uses. Shoreline swimming also takes place at this day use area.
Campgrounds
North Thermalito Forebay RV en-route Campground: There are 15 en-route RV parking spaces with no hookups adjacent to the popular day use area.
Other amenities
Feather River Center: The Feather River Center (FRC) at the North Thermalito Forebay boat ramp/day use area is a collaborative organization comprised of members of the Table Mountain Rowing Club, Butte Sailing Club and the Chico State Rowing Club. They work with the California Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks) and its Boating and Waterways (DBW) division, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the local community to promote education, recreation, tourism, boating and water safety and competitive water sports in and beyond the Feather River Watershed.
Working in collaboration with State Parks, DWR, DBW, the Supplemental Benefits Fund and the City of Oroville, the FRC is leading the effort to build a new state of the art Aquatic Facility at the Forebay site to enhance the educational, recreational and competitive opportunities at the North and South Forebays.
The site is accessed using the same road (Garden Drive) to access the North Thermalito Forebay. The 1,200 square-foot facility was constructed in 1995 to provide area sailing and rowing clubs with a boathouse and an area for holding classes. Aquatic Center users generally access the Thermalito Forebay using one of the two boat ramps shared with other day use visitors.
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