Clay Pit SVRA is 220 acres of former mining land two miles west of Oroville in Butte County, now managed as a free OHV riding area for motorcycles, ATVs, and 4x4s. The site was created when clay was excavated for the construction of Oroville Dam; what got left behind was a lumpy, road-laced landscape that turns out to be a decent informal riding area, particularly for beginners. It is not a destination you drive four hours to reach, but if you are in the Oroville area with a dirt bike or a side-by-side, it is a legitimate option.
Details
- 🏞️Type
- State Park
- 🏛️Managed by
- California State Parks
- 📍State
- CA
- 🗺️Address
- Mendocino, CA, 95460
- 🕐Hours
- 8 am Until Sunset 7 Days a Week
- 📐Area
- 220 acres
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- No
- 📡GPS
- 39.48016, -121.61830
The Place
The park occupies an old clay extraction site that was actively mined during Oroville Dam construction. The terrain is low-elevation foothill country, with a max elevation around 150 feet across the 220 acres. The riding surface is compact clay and dirt, which behaves very differently depending on moisture levels, and the layout consists of informal roads, tracks, and rough features carved out over decades of use.
Three miles of trail thread through the property. The scale is modest and the terrain is forgiving, which makes this one of the better places in Northern California for newer riders to develop skills without getting in over their heads. More experienced riders looking for technical challenge will exhaust what the park offers fairly quickly.
When to Go
Winter and spring bring wet conditions that can make the clay surface extremely slick. Summer and fall, when the clay has dried out, offer the most predictable riding. The site sits at low elevation with minimal shade, so summer midday temperatures in Butte County can be oppressive. Early morning rides in July and August are the move.
Getting There
Clay Pit SVRA is approximately two miles west of downtown Oroville off Highway 162. The site is fenced, with a vehicle entrance for trailered equipment. All OHV vehicles must have a current California OHV registration (the green sticker or the current equivalent) or an out-of-state equivalent. Entrance to the park itself is free.
What to Do
Dirt biking, ATV riding, and 4x4 driving are the primary uses. The park does not have a developed trail system with signage; it operates more as an open riding area where users make their own routes within the fenced boundary. Shade ramadas, picnic tables, and a vault toilet are available on-site. There is no water, so bring your own.
The low technical difficulty and free entry make this a good first OHV outing for beginners or a convenient shakedown run before heading to more demanding terrain in the Sierra Nevada.
Reservations & Fees
No reservation required and no entry fee. OHV registration is required for all vehicles. The park operates during daylight hours year-round. Contact California State Parks OHV division for current conditions before visiting, as weather events can affect the site.