Butte district, California, United States

Places to visit near Forest Ranch

Forest Ranch is a town in Butte district, California, United States, home to about 1,184 people. Within 50 km by road there are 133 places to visit — 55 hill stations & viewpoints, 28 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 12 parks and 15 waterfalls. The must-see places are Stilson Canyon (23 km), Lower Bidwell Park (25 km) and Chico Gospel Hall (27 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Forest Ranch on the map

Forest Ranch, California
Forest Ranch, Butte district, California, United States. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Forest Ranch at a glance

Location
Butte district, California, United States
Population
about 1,184
Coordinates
39.8821° N, 121.6727° W
Places within 50 km
133 (13 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for parks

Top places to visit near Forest Ranch

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Forest Ranch: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

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Things to see near Forest Ranch, by type

Hill stations & viewpoints near Forest Ranch

85 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Forest Ranch. The closest is Platte Mountain (8 km); the best-known is Stilson Canyon (23 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Forest Ranch

68 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Forest Ranch. The closest is Desabla Forebay Dam (7 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Parks near Forest Ranch

27 parks within 100 km of Forest Ranch. The closest is Bille Park (16 km). Best time: year-round, evenings.

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Waterfalls near Forest Ranch

19 waterfalls within 100 km of Forest Ranch. The closest is Phantom Falls (40 km). Best time: july to january, best august to november right after rains.

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Wildlife, forests & gardens near Forest Ranch

14 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Forest Ranch. The closest is Forks of Butte Creek Recreation Area (5 km); the best-known is Lower Bidwell Park (25 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Churches near Forest Ranch

10 churches within 100 km of Forest Ranch. The closest is Magalia Community Church (14 km); the best-known is Chico Gospel Hall (27 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Forest Ranch

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 70 km on the road.

  1. Start in Forest Ranch
  2. 5 km Forks of Butte Creek Recreation Area · nature spot, Butte
  3. 1 km Black Diamond Mine · heritage site, Butte
  4. 28 km Stilson Canyon · viewpoint, Butte
  5. 5 km Lower Bidwell Park · nature spot, Butte
  6. 4 km Chico Gospel Hall · church, Butte
  7. 27 km Back to Forest Ranch

Plan a longer trip from Forest Ranch — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Forest Ranch

No traveller has reported from around Forest Ranch yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Forest Ranch

    All places near Forest Ranch by distance

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Forest Ranch by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Hill stations & viewpoints5585Platte Mountain (8 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs2868Desabla Forebay Dam (7 km)
    Parks1227Bille Park (16 km)
    Waterfalls1519Phantom Falls (40 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens514Forks of Butte Creek Recreation Area (5 km)
    Churches510Magalia Community Church (14 km)
    Other attractions28Hog Spring (19 km)
    Museums57Chico Air Museum (23 km)
    Forts & heritage24Black Diamond Mine (6 km)
    Caves14Cave Spring (37 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves33Emery and Mitchell Island (40 km)
    Treks01Nobles-Emigrant Trail (96 km)

    Forest Ranch: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Forest Ranch?

    Stilson Canyon (viewpoint, about 23 km), Lower Bidwell Park (nature spot, about 25 km), Forks of Butte Creek Recreation Area (nature spot, about 5 km), Black Diamond Mine (heritage site, about 6 km), Chico Gospel Hall (church, about 27 km), Museum of Northern California Art (museum, about 27 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Forest Ranch?

    133 places on Spotwander: 55 hill stations & viewpoints, 28 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 12 parks, 15 waterfalls, 5 wildlife, forests & gardens.

    Which is the nearest viewpoint to Forest Ranch?

    Platte Mountain, about 8 km by road; Nimshew Ridge (9 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Forest Ranch?

    Desabla Forebay Dam, about 7 km by road; Paradise Dam (11 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest park to Forest Ranch?

    Bille Park, about 16 km by road; Rotary Grove (19 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Forest Ranch?

    Start in Forest Ranch, visit Forks of Butte Creek Recreation Area, then Black Diamond Mine, then Stilson Canyon, then Lower Bidwell Park, then Chico Gospel Hall, and drive back — about 70 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Forest Ranch?

    October to February for cool, clear air for hill stations & viewpoints; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for parks.

    Towns near Forest Ranch

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Forest Ranch’s location and population from GeoNames; see also Forest Ranch on Wikipedia. Data sources & credits.