Bucks Lake Recreation Area

Bucks Lake is located on Oroville-Bucks Lake Road, 17 miles southwest of Quincy or 32 miles northeast of Oroville. Bucks Lake is a high mountain lake surrounded by the Bucks Lake Wilderness on one side and recreation residences/resorts on the other side. The area offers year-round recreation opportunities, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
Showers are available nearby at Sandy Point Day Use / Boat Launch.
At a Glance
Current Conditions: | Snow delayed access and some sites remain closed. No estimated opening date at this time. Please check status of individual recreation sites. Visitors should always check for additional information at Alerts and Notices on the Plumas National Forest website. |
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Area Amenities: | Interpretive Site,Accessible,Boat ramp,Tent camping,Camping trailer,Fee charged for some activities,Picnic tables,Toilets,Drinking water,Parking |
Usage: | Medium-Heavy |
Closest Towns: | Bucks Lake Recreation Area is located on Oroville-Bucks Lake Road, 17 miles southwest of Quincy or 32 miles northeast of Oroville |
Restroom: | Located at summit parking |
Passes: | Access and Senior passes accepted. |
Information Center: | Mt. Hough Ranger District 39696 Hwy 70 Quincy, Ca 95971 (530) 283-0555 |
General Information
Directions:Getting there
From downtown Quincy, take the Bucks Lake Rd. for 17 miles. From Oroville, you have the choice of two alternate routes. You can either take Hwy 70 east through the Feather River Canyon to Quincy and then follow the Bucks Lake Rd. to the lake. Or, from Oroville, take Oroville Dam Blvd., turn right on Olive/ Hwy 162 and follow it to the lake. This route is only open during the summer months after the road is plowed. Call ahead for road status.
General Notes:
Summer - During the warmer months visitors can enjoy an array of water sports and other activities. There is something for everyone including skiing, fishing, swimming, camping and
picnicing.
Typical Operating Dates for Camping Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend.
Winter - Cold weather brings snow and lots of opportunities for winter recreation. With over 100 miles of groomed snowmobile trails Bucks Lake is one of the most popular destinations in the west. Snow play, cross- country skiing and sledding are also enjoyed by visitors.
Supplies
Many private business are located at Bucks Lake. There are lodges, cabin rentals, grocery stores, a marina, resturants, boat rentals and gasoline. Because Bucks Lake offers year- round recreation, many amenities are available all year.
Activities
Campground Camping
Recreation areas with activity Campground Camping:- Grizzly Creek Campground
- Lower Bucks Campground
- Mill Creek Campground
- Sundew Campground
- Whitehorse Campground
RV Camping
Recreation areas with activity RV Camping:Group Camping
Recreation areas with activity Group Camping:Lake and Pond Fishing
Recreation areas with activity Lake and Pond Fishing:- Gold Lake Trail
- Grizzly Creek Campground
- Hutchins Group Campground
- Lower Bucks Campground
- Mill Creek Campground
- Sandy Point Day Use Area and Boat Launch
- Sundew Campground
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing:Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Bucks Creek Loop Trail
- Bucks Lake Area Grizzly Forebay Trail
- Bucks Lake Grizzly Forebay Gauging Station Trail
- Bucks Lake Wilderness
- Bucks Lake Wilderness Trails
- Gold Lake Trail
- Granite Gap Trail
- Mill Creek Trail
- Right Hand Branch Trail
- Three Lakes PCT Tie
- Three Lakes Trail
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- Bucks Lake Area Grizzly Forebay Trail
- Bucks Lake Wilderness
- Bucks Lake Wilderness Trails
- Gold Lake Trail
- Granite Gap Trail
- Mill Creek Trail
- Three Lakes PCT Tie
- Three Lakes Trail
Horse Camping
Recreation areas with activity Horse Camping:Mill Creek Trail is recommended for horses at this time.
Three Lakes Trail, and Three Lakes PCT tie-in are not recommended for horses at this time.
Motor Vehicles are prohibited on all three.
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:Viewing Wildlife
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:- Hutchins Group Campground
- Lower Bucks Campground
- Mill Creek Campground
- Sundew Campground
- Whitehorse Campground
Viewing Plants
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:- Grizzly Creek Campground
- Hutchins Group Campground
- Lower Bucks Campground
- Mill Creek Campground
- Sundew Campground
- Whitehorse Campground
Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:- Grizzly Creek Campground
- Hutchins Group Campground
- Lower Bucks Campground
- Mill Creek Campground
- Sundew Campground
- Whitehorse Campground
OHV Road Riding
Recreation areas with activity OHV Road Riding:OHV Trail Riding
Recreation areas with activity OHV Trail Riding:Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Picnicking:Group Picnicking
Recreation areas with activity Group Picnicking:Scenic Driving
Recreation areas with activity Scenic Driving:Boating - Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Motorized:Boating - Non-Motorized
Recreation areas with activity Boating - Non-Motorized:Swimming
Recreation areas with activity Swimming:- Gold Lake Trail
- Granite Gap Trail
- Hutchins Group Campground
- Lower Bucks Campground
- Mill Creek Campground
- Sandy Point Day Use Area and Boat Launch
- Sundew Campground
Tubing
Recreation areas with activity Tubing:Waterskiing
Recreation areas with activity Waterskiing:Windsurfing
Recreation areas with activity Windsurfing:Ice Skating
Recreation areas with activity Ice Skating:Sledding/Tubing
Recreation areas with activity Sledding/Tubing:Skiing/Snowboarding
Recreation areas with activity Skiing/Snowboarding:XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Recreation areas with activity XC Skiing/Snowshoeing:Snowmobiling
Recreation areas with activity Snowmobiling:Amenities
Interpretive Site: | |
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Camping trailer: | |
Picnic tables: | |
Tent camping: | |
Toilets: | |
Parking: | |
Fee charged for some activities: | |
Accessible: | |
Boat ramp: | |
Drinking water: |