Oroville Wildlife Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Oroville Wildlife Area is a 11,000-acre nature reserve located in the state of California.
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Summary
It is a popular destination for visitors who enjoy outdoor activities, such as bird watching, fishing, hunting, and hiking.
Some good reasons to visit Oroville Wildlife Area include its diverse range of habitats, including grasslands, wetlands, and riparian areas, which provide a home for a variety of wildlife species. The area is home to over 200 species of birds, including migratory waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and bald eagles. Visitors can also spot deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other mammals.
Specific points of interest to see at Oroville Wildlife Area include the Thermalito Afterbay, where visitors can fish for bass, catfish, and bluegill. The Oroville Dam, which is the tallest and largest dam in the US, is also nearby. Visitors can take a tour of the dam and learn about its history and importance to the region.
Interesting facts about Oroville Wildlife Area include that it was created in the 1960s as a result of the Oroville Dam construction. The area was set aside to mitigate the environmental impacts of the dam. It is also home to the largest wintering population of bald eagles in California.
The best time of year to visit Oroville Wildlife Area depends on the activities visitors are interested in. Spring and fall are popular times for bird watching, as migratory species pass through the area. Fishing is best in the summer and fall, and hunting is allowed during the designated seasons. The area is open year-round for hiking and wildlife viewing.
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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
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Hewitt Park
Pennington Ranch Park
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