The lake offers a wide variety of outdoor activities including camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, sail and power boating, water-skiing, fishing, swimming, boat-in camping, floating campsites and horse camping.

Lake Oroville Visitor Center has a museum, exhibits, videos and a store. The view from the 47-foot tower, with two high-powered telescopes, is a spectacular panoramic view of the lake, Sierra Nevadas, valley, foothills, and the Sutter Buttes Mountain range (smallest in the world).

Lake features anchorage, floating docks, picnic tables, island and rocky beach. All Boating Allowed. Full Service Marinas, paved launch ramps and hand launch ramps. Docks, berths and moorings.
Rentals: Fishing, Waterskiing and houseboats. Swimming allowed but no diving.