Orland Buttes Campground on Black Butte Lake

Glenn County, California Camping With the Army Corps of Engineers

Nov 12, 2009

Remote Black Butte Lake offers recreational facilities and beautiful views. Orland Buttes Campground in Glenn County, California is one of two campgrounds on the lake.

The Orland Buttes Campground is a rural recreation area found several miles west of Orland. It is one of two Corps of Engineers campgrounds on the reservoir, Black Butte Lake, and is named for rocky outcrops that are easily spotted upon arrival.

Orland Buttes is remote – an excellent antidote to the I-5 freeway. The scenery is beautiful and the Glenn-Tehama County region offers much by way of recreation.

How to Reach Orland Buttes Campground in Glenn County, California

To reach Orland Buttes, the traveler must first locate County Road 200 (Newville Road), just west of Orland and straight off the I-5 freeway. The road continues for several miles into increasingly wild country, with clear signs showing the way. After six miles, the traveler turns onto County Road 206 and continues four miles to the campground.

Supermarkets, drug stores and gas are all available in Orland. There are also several commercial campgrounds in the region. If the traveler needs supplies, she should stock up before heading to the campground. There is nowhere else to shop or refuel.

What RVers May Expect at the Orland Buttes Campground

Orland Buttes Campground is suitable for tent campers, and RVs up to 35' long. The road leading there is an easy two-lane county road with few curves. There are 35 wooded camp sites located on three main loops. For an exciting backing-up experience, several of the sites are quite steeply sloped.

Each site has a fire pit and picnic table, but no hookups. Drinking water is available but not, as is typical for Army Corps of Engineers facilities, at every site. There are restrooms and hot showers at this campground.

A dump station is located on the right as the traveler leaves Orland Buttes. The campground is open from April through September (the other site, Black Butte, is open year-round). 2009 fees were $15 per night; visitors may drop in, or make a reservation.

Recreational Opportunities Around Orland Buttes Campground

Fishing and boating are popular recreational activities at Orland Buttes Campground. The campground has a boat ramp and fish cleaning facilities. Just outside the campground is the Paul Thomas Trail, leading to Simpson Bridge. A well-maintained path takes the visitor through open woodland to a picnic area around a mile later.

The walk offers beautiful views across the lake, along with a historical marker. Simpson Bridge used to be the only way across the creek until the dam was put into service in 1963. When the bridge was scheduled for removal, Thomas arranged to keep some girders. They are now found at the picnic area.

There is an observation point for the dam, located between Orland Buttes and Buckhorn Campgrounds. This is easily navigable in even a larger RV, though the road is a little on the steep side. At the top, impressive views of the lake and dam, its craggy namesake Black Butte, and a picnic area await. The lake has several day-use areas, Other nearby day-use areas where the visitor can hike, hunt, fish or boat to his heart's content.

Orland Buttes Campground at a Glance

The copyright of the article Orland Buttes Campground on Black Butte Lake in RV Campgrounds is owned by Linda Gentile. Permission to republish Orland Buttes Campground on Black Butte Lake in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.