How to Houseboat on Lake Oroville

A popular houseboat lake in Northern California is Lake Oroville, nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills just a 1-hour drive north of Sacramento. This large man-made reservoir stretches for 10 miles and offers 167 miles of natural shoreline. The water temperatures remain in the 70s during the summer months. There are two marinas that rent houseboats on the lake.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Check availability with Bidwell Canyon Marina, located at the south end of the lake. They rent houseboats that sleep 10 to 16 people. Call [phone] for reservation information.

2. Contact the Lake Oroville Marina at [phone]. It is located in the Lime Saddle Recreation Area in the northwest arm of the lake. They rent 50 and 59 foot houseboats for a minimum of 3 days or a maximum of 7 days.

3. Bring your fishing gear and do your best to catch spotted bass, Chinook salmon, catfish and rainbow trout.

4. Head toward the Oroville Dam located in the southwestern part of the lake. This 770-foot high earth-filled dam was completed in 1967. A special fish barrier leads salmon and steelhead, returning to spawn, into the Feather River Fish Hatchery.

5. Explore the three arms of the lake that extend eastward: South Fork Feather River, Middle Fork Feather River and North Fork Feather River. The main part of the lake extends north and ends in the Lime Canyon Recreation Area.

6. Find plenty of campsites on the southern and western shores of the lake.

Tips & Warnings

• Inquire about renting other personal watercraft and ski boats at the marinas. Some marinas may require you to bring or rent a small boat for safety and convenience when renting a houseboat.
• Look into houseboating on other Northern California lakes.

Resources

• Rent houseboats at Bidwell Canyon Marina.
• Visit the Lake Oroville Marina website.