The 630-acre Thermalito Forebay is a popular day-use area featuring cool, clear water from Lake Oroville, low rolling foothills, and scenic views of Table Mountain to the east.
Divided into distinct North and South recreation areas, the Forebay accommodates both peaceful paddling and motorized powerboating.
North Forebay
The Thermalito Forebay North features 300 surface acres of water, a 200-yard swimming area with a sandy beach, and plenty of shade. The area is reserved exclusively for sailboats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and other non-power-driven watercraft, with a trail that completely circles the lagoon.
For visitors who don’t have their own watercraft, the Forebay Aquatic Center sits right on the shoreline and offers seasonal on-site rentals. Visitors can rent tandem and single kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, hydro-bikes, pedal boats, and canoes by the hour, making it easy to get out on the water without hauling heavy gear.
Key amenities at the North Forebay include:
- Boating Access: One gravel launch and two paved boat ramps (one two-lane and one three-lane) for non-motorized watercraft. All launches close at sundown.
- Picnic Facilities: 117 tables, large and small shared BBQ grills, and additional picnic sites near the Aquatic Center.
- Park Conveniences: Men’s and women’s dressing rooms, flush toilets, and a drinking fountain.
- Pet Access: Dogs are prohibited on the beach and turf areas.
- Accessible Recreation:
- Picnic Area & Swim Beach:Find six accessible picnic sites connected by paved pathways. Parking includes standard and van-accessible spaces near an accessible restroom. The adjacent Swim Beach features accessible picnic tables, lowered water faucets, and nearby designated parking.
- Beach & Shore Access: An accessible paved path winds directly from the main parking lot through the picnic grounds down to the water’s edge. An outdoor rinsing shower is accessibly designed, with compliant restrooms and parking situated nearby.
- Trail Access: The North Forebay and North Forebay Loop Trails offer 1.62 miles of waterfront hiking and beach access. The pathways consist of asphalt and compacted soil. The route is highly navigable and generally flat, maintaining a gentle slope under 5% with only brief, intermittent sections reaching between 5% and 8% grade. Trailhead, accessible parking, and accessible restrooms are at the North Forebay.
See an overview of the available amenities and locations using the map of the North Forebay.
South Forebay
The main attractions at the Thermalito Forebay South are powerboating and fishing, though shoreline swimming also takes place along its sandy beach. Unlike the non-motorized North Forebay, this side of the water is built to accommodate motorized watercraft.
Key amenities at the South Forebay include:
- Boating Access: A paved, two-lane boat launch ramp with an adjacent parking lot.
- Picnic Facilities: 10 shaded picnic tables and 10 BBQs.
- Park Conveniences: Chemical toilets.
- Drinking Water: There is no drinking water available at the South Forebay, so please plan accordingly.
- Accessible Recreation:
- Picnic Area: Features accessible parking, an accessible vault restroom, and purpose-built picnic tables. The path connecting the parking lot to the tables consists of compacted dirt and gravel.
- Fishing: An accessible fish cleaning station is available, supported by nearby ADA parking and a vault restroom.
Find more information about accessibility at the Lake Oroville SRA here.
Other Activities
- Birding: The Nelson Road bridge over the Forebay provides ideal vantage points for a great host of waterbirds, including five species of grebes, common and Barrow’s goldeneye, and an occasional rare Pacific or red-throated loon. You’ll also discover more rare raptor sightings than anywhere else in the area, including rough-legged hawk, ferruginous hawk, golden eagle, and others.
- Fishing: The North Forebay features frequent trout plants for visitors to enjoy.
- Overnight RV Parking: The North Forebay features 15 self-contained, primitive RV parking spaces (no hookups) adjacent to the day-use area, designed strictly for one-night stays.
