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4.0
5 votes

Orland Buttes Recreation Area

County Road 206, Orland, California 95963 USA

  • Independent
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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Reviews of Orland Buttes Recreation Area

5 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

4.8 Access
4.8 Location
5.0 Cleanliness
4.8 Site Quality
5.0 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G

Confirmed by 2 users | Last reported on April 14, 2019

AT&T 4G

Confirmed by 2 users | Last reported on June 24, 2018
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Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

June 01, 2016
Rated

I was fully prepared to be underwhelmed by the Central Valley, but I think Orland Buttes Recreation Area would've blown me away even if I had been expecting something incredible.

This campground, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, has no hookups and is available at $9/night for Interagency Passholders (they can sell you an America the Beautiful pass at the entrance station at the Buckhorn Recreation Area on the other side of the lake). It's much quieter than its counterpart at Buckhorn on the other side of the lake--a bit mystifying as the cell signal seems stronger over here.

Most of the sites are within view of the lake, and all of them are within easy walking distance of it. You won't do any swimming here, though--there is a boat ramp, and cliffs, and that's it. There is a nice walking trail from the campground to a cool overlook with pieces of a historic bridge. Also, if you visit in the spring like we did, you'll be amazed at the variety of birds (bald eagles, all sorts of hawks and large birds of prey, and vultures, plus songbirds). There were days we were the only ones here.

While there are no hookups at the sites, there are water spigots around the campground that are available for fill-ups (though you can't remain hooked up to them), and there's a dump station at the entrance. Park staff swing by around daily, able to help with anything you need.

We loved this place, and we'll definitely be back!

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $9.00

Days Stayed: 7

Site Number: 18

4 Access
4 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

AT&T 4G

Reviewed by
noelculbertson

  • 21 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
June 24, 2018
Rated

We were surprised by this beautiful dry camping spot. Even on a Saturday in June most of the sites were unoccupied. All sites are paved and looked level. (Ours was completely level.) Our site (18) overlooked the lake and had an amazing view of the sunset in the evening. There are trees that provide some shade in many of the sites. We were pulling plenty of power on our solar panel to run our fans.

There was lake access and hiking trails. We didn’t make use of the trails as it was over 100 degrees, but we did put our feet in the water. The area was pretty windy throughout the day and night, but it helped with the heat and kept the bugs at bay. The campground host was attentive and friendly.

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noelculbertson would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 18

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

June 25, 2018
Rated

Although we have passed the signs to Black Butte Lake multiple times, we never considered camping there, as we are always in a hurry to get pass that stretch of highway. But on this particular trip we wanted to seek out an alternative stop that was a fair distance from the I-5 corridor traffic, that was not an rv park and surrounded by natural beauty. Orland Buttes did not disappoint.

This wonderful US Army Corps of Engineers was secluded, quiet and had amenities normally not associated with a dry camping park. Although paved sites did not offer electric, water or sewer, I counted nine water faucets located around each loop to fill up your tank and there is a free dump station at the entrance to the campground. Two restroom/shower buildings are located convenient to all sites and they were very clean.

There were many sites that could accommodate a 35 foot rig, pull throughs and back ins and many of the pads looked close to level. Multiple sites were shaded or offered shade around the picnic table area. Those on hillside above lake offered 180º views of lake. Our site was a pull through, offered a partial view of lake and tree covered hillsides, and was exposed enough to crank out enough solar power to keep batteries topped off.

We had heard that of the two campgrounds around Black Butte Lake, Orland Buttes was the quietest. During our stay, which was through the weekend, the campground was only half full and very quiet. Park staff drive through campground a few times per day and Bear, the camphost, does regular patrols. He did say though, that during the prime of summer, the campground is full, even with the intense heat. Water sports recreation and fishing is a big draw for this lake. There is lake access at or near boat ramp.

There are hiking trails around the lake, but only one near Orland Buttes. The Paul Thomas Trail trailhead is right near the entrance...under an occupied Osprey platform nest. The trail takes you to a historic bridge site. Good walking trail for our dogs to run loose and explore. You can make the short drive to Buckhorn Campground to access the Buckhorn Interpretive Trail.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 7

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise
  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
April 14, 2019
Rated

Unbelievable find! The campground is spacious, sites well spaced. The rolling oak savannah was beautiful with wildflowers in full bloom in early April. Miles of trails to explore. A reservoir there would be great to canoe or kayak. Host was extremely friendly and helpful.

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Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 32

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

Reviewed by
msleahl

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
April 30, 2021
Rated

A bit disappointed to find them closed when nothing was on website when I was trying to reserve and I learned it was first-come.

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Orland Buttes Recreation Area

County Road 206
Orland, California
95963 USA
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  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Unknown
    Credit Cards Accepted
Max Length
35 ft
Season End
September
Affiliation
Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
Season Start
April
Last Nightly Rate
20.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
9.0
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
35.0
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Check
    Showers
  • Unavailable
    Big Rigs
  • Check
    Boondock
  • Unavailable
    Firewood
  • Check
    Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Full Hookup
  • Check
    Dump Station
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
  • Check
    Public Water
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through
  • Check
    Reservations
  • Unavailable
    Sewer Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Water Hookup
  • Check
    Potable Water
  • Unavailable
    Age Restricted
  • Check
    Rec Facilities
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
  • Check
    Open Seasonally
  • Unavailable
    Permit Required
  • Check
    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
  • Check
    Standard Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through RV Sites
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