🌤 Weather at Butte City Project by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44–82 °F | 60–95 °F | 44–91 °F | 39–63 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Willows 6 W, 17 mi away, elevation 234 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏆 Sacramento Valley Project — Future state park site in the Sacramento Valley
Butte City Project is a designated future state park site in the Sacramento Valley near Butte City along the Sacramento River. The property is being managed by California State Parks for potential future development as a recreational area, preserving river access and riparian habitat in the agriculturally intensive Sacramento Valley.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Butte City, CA (Sacramento Valley) |
| Status | Future park / project site |
| River | Sacramento River access |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this park open?
Butte City Project is in development. Check with California State Parks for current access status. Facilities may be limited or unavailable.
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Why are rice paddies important for birds?
After harvest, flooded rice fields replicate the wetlands that once covered the Central Valley. Over 95% of California’s original wetlands have been drained — rice paddies now provide 60% of the winter food for Pacific Flyway waterfowl. The partnership between rice farmers and conservationists is a major wildlife success story.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area (within about an hour’s drive) or Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
🌾 Butte City Project
Future Sacramento Valley park — Sacramento River access being developed.
About Butte City Project
Butte City Project is a developing state park property along the Sacramento River in Glenn County. The site preserves riparian habitat along one of the most important salmon migration corridors in the Central Valley. The Sacramento River here flows through cottonwood and valley oak woodland — a rare remnant of the vast riparian forests that once lined the river.
Things to Do
River access for fishing (salmon, steelhead, striped bass), birdwatching in the riparian corridor, and nature walks along the Sacramento River.
Getting There
Butte City Project sits along the Sacramento River in Glenn County — California’s rice capital. The Sacramento Valley here is one of the most productive agricultural regions on Earth, producing 95% of California’s rice crop. Glenn County’s flooded rice paddies attract millions of migratory waterfowl each winter, making it one of the Pacific Flyway’s most critical stopovers.
Insider Tips
Sacramento Valley: Butte City Project provides access to the Sacramento River — California’s largest river and the backbone of the Central Valley’s agricultural empire. Pro tip: The Sacramento River supports wild king salmon runs — one of the last major wild salmon populations in California. Rice country: The surrounding Sacramento Valley grows 95% of California’s rice — flooded rice paddies create critical habitat for migrating waterfowl.
Best Time to Visit
Fall: Salmon runs (October-December). Winter: Waterfowl migration — millions of ducks and geese. Spring: Green-up and songbird migration. Summer: Hot — 100°F+ in the valley.
Wildlife & Nature
Butte City Project — along the Sacramento River in Glenn County — provides riverbank access in the northern Central Valley. The Sacramento River — California’s longest (447 miles) — supports Chinook salmon and steelhead trout migration. Bald eagles and osprey fish from riverside perches. Great blue herons wade the shallows. The river corridor is a vital Pacific Flyway stopover.
Nearby Attractions
Sacramento NWR Complex — nearby — has some of the best waterfowl viewing in North America (millions of geese and ducks in winter). Gray Lodge Wildlife Area — 20 miles east — has wetland viewing. Chico — 20 miles east — has Bidwell Park and Bidwell Mansion SHP.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Butte City Project
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Dogs are permitted in California State Parks only in developed areas — campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots and paved roads — and are prohibited on most trails, beaches and undeveloped areas unless specifically designated as dog-friendly.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Maximum 6-foot leash at all times; dogs may not be left unattended.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Dogs are prohibited on most state beaches; only beaches specifically designated as dog-allowed permit them (varies by park).
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Pets are generally not allowed in buildings or cabins; overnight campers must keep dogs inside a tent or vehicle at night.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Designated dog-friendly trails and beaches vary park by park; misrepresenting a pet as a service animal is a misdemeanor.
Are dogs allowed at Butte City Project?
Dogs are permitted in California State Parks only in developed areas — campgrounds, picnic areas, parking lots and paved roads — and are prohibited on most trails, beaches and undeveloped areas unless specifically designated as dog-friendly. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via parks.ca.gov. More: California state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Location
Plan your gear for Butte City Project
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
