Black Butte Lake is a US Army Corps of Engineers project that created a lake with a surface area of 4,460 acres and 40 miles of shoreline. It's located eight miles west of Orland, California, and Interstate 5 in the Sacramento Valley. The lake has a unique setting, situated 250 feet above a wide-open valley, surrounded by small buttes and foothills to the west1.
The lake enjoys a long season due to its low elevation and delta influences, with the best conditions being offered in the spring and fall. There are three rideable days on north winds after a passing front and steady onshore conditions with more chop on south wind preceding low-pressure storms. One campground is open year-round, reflecting the long season1.
Two primary launch points are Buckhorn Campground or Angler's Cove, which work on both north or south winds. Angler's Cove can be accessed via the road marked "Lake Access" just before Buckhorn Campground but is more rocky than the beach in Buckhorn. The campground has a $5 per day use fee or $40 annual pass. Other launch options exist but are not as user-friendly1.
Some hazards include the wind dying rapidly in the evening and the large size of the lake which can make for long swims and walks. Angler's Cove is a No Wake - 5 mph zone, so it's important to act accordingly when boat traffic is present1.
The closest reporting weather station is Corning, or you can check the NOAA point forecast for wind and water data1.
Two campgrounds are located right on the lake: Buckhorn Campground is open all year, and Orland Buttes Campground is open from April through September. Facilities include RV and tent units with parking pull outs, picnic tables and fire pits at each site, restrooms with showers, and potable water. There are no electrical hookups1.
There is no lodging available on site, and for meals, you'll need to go back to the I-5 as there are no eateries in the immediate area
NWS Corning (CRGC1) Red Bluff Weather Data NOAA Point Forecast Black Butte Reservoir Elevation
