Black Butte Lake
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Black Butte Lake is a popular destination located in Northern California that offers a variety of outdoor activities for visitors to enjoy.
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Summary
The lake is situated in the foothills of the Coast Range and is surrounded by mountains and scenic landscapes.
There are several reasons to visit Black Butte Lake, including fishing, boating, water sports, camping and hiking. The lake is home to a wide variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, and crappie, making it a popular spot for anglers. There are several boat ramps available for visitors to launch their boats and explore the lake.
One of the main points of interest at Black Butte Lake is the abundance of wildlife that can be found in the park. Visitors can see a variety of birds, deer, and other animals while hiking or camping in the area. The park also offers a variety of hiking trails that offer stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscapes.
Interesting facts about the area include that the reservoir was created in 1963 when the US Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Black Butte Dam on Stony Creek. The lake is named after the nearby Black Butte Mountain, which is a prominent landmark visible from many areas around the lake.
The best time of year to visit Black Butte Lake is during the spring and fall months when temperatures are cooler and the crowds are smaller. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities and events for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
Overall, Black Butte Lake is a beautiful destination that offers a variety of outdoor activities and stunning scenery for visitors to enjoy.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Simpson Finnell Community Park
Spence Park
Vinsonhaler Park