Overview
Oroville a city of about 1,800 people in the North Central Cascades of Washington State, on the south end of Lake Osoyoos.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Oroville
Old Molson Ghost Town
Open-air museum, open seasonally. Pioneer buildings, farm machinery, mining equipment and other historic artefacts.
Osoyoos Lake Veteran’s Memorial Park
The former Osoyoos Lake State Park, now municipally-operated, has a 300 ft sandy beach on Osoyoos Lake, a campground and a boat ramp.
Tumbleweed Film Festival
Annual Film Festival.
Molson Schoolhouse Museum
A local history museum in a historic schoolhouse building displays hand tools, household artefacts and photographs. The schoolhouse is on the west side of Molson Road, with the ghost town directly across the street.
Split Rock Day Use Area
On the shores of Palmer Lake.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 19°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Leavenworth)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- EAT Pangborn Memorial Airport, Wenatchee — 112 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 126 mi away (major hub). Directions
US Highway 97 (US-97) runs through the center of town, crossing the Canadian border as BC-97 at Osoyoos.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $85–$85 a night (typical $132), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$130, mid-range ~$210, comfortable ~$250.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Old Molson Ghost Town, Molson Schoolhouse Museum, Split Rock Day Use Area
- Lunch Trinos
- Afternoon Osoyoos Lake Veteran’s Memorial Park, Tumbleweed Film Festival
- Dinner Hometown Pizza
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Most restaurants in Oroville close by 9PM and stay closed for portions of the winter.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Established at the west end of the Okanogan Highlands as “Oro” in 1892 and renamed “Oroville” in 1909, this small community owes its name to its gold mining, panning and dredging history. The historic towns of Nighthawk, Molson, and Chesaw are nearby. Some gold is still extracted along the Similkameen River, which flows into Okanogan river; the nearby Buckhorn Mountain gold mine produces 123,000 ounces of gold annually.
The local economy relies primarily on agriculture (apples, cherries, grapes and other fruit) sustained through irrigation. Farmers' markets, fruit stands, a brewery and three local wineries offer local home-grown products. The surrounding countryside of hills, mountains, rivers, lakes and forests hosts various fruit orchards, public lands and trails. Oroville is an amazing place to take your kids to swim in Lake Osoyoos.
Local information
Get in
US Highway 97 (US-97) runs through the center of town, crossing the Canadian border as BC-97 at Osoyoos.
By public transit
Get around
While the city is small enough to walk around in, the only sidewalks are in the downtown area. A car allows one to reach resort cottages spread out across Lake Osoyoos.
Do
- }
Events
Buy
There are numerous antique stores and gas stations.
Most stores in Oroville, other than Princes, close at 5PM.
Eat
Most restaurants in Oroville close by 9PM and stay closed for portions of the winter.
Eat Trinos
Mexican family/casual restaurant, giant margaritas, beer.
Eat Hometown Pizza
Pizza and pasta.
Sleep
Stay Veranda Beach Resort
An 800 acre family beach resort on the shores of Lake Osoyoos with over a mile of pristine beach. Private 2, 3 or 4 bedroom cottages. Pet friendly accommodation available. Globe At The Beach (9AM-9PM, +1 509 476-0815) is a contemporary beach side restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with local ingredients and fine dining in a casual setting.
Nearby
Molson
Molson (pop. 19) was established during an 1896 gold rush; George Meacham established a town in 1898 but never registered the land. The small boom town, which had about 300 people at its peak, was named for early investor John. W. Molson – a member of a Montréal family which had built one of the largest breweries in Canada.
In 1909, a local man claimed the land under the tiny community for himself, causing many buildings (including a 1900-era post office and a bank) to be relocated to a new, rival town site a half-mile away.
A theatre and hotel had been built when the Great Northern Railroad came to town in 1905-06; this international railway (Spokane WA to Princeton BC) served Molson until 1935. The principal mining and farming businesses began to die in the 1920s. The post office closed permanently in 1967.
The customs house and border crossing were abandoned in 1941; the southernmost half-kilometre of Old Molson Road in Canada (which used to reach the border from nearby Bridesville BC) no longer exists, leaving Old Railroad Road in Molson WA a dead-end at the 49th parallel. The former Customs and Immigration station now stands as part of the Molson Museums; access to the ghost town is only available from the US side. Only a handful of farmers and ranchers remain in the area.
See Old Molson Ghost Town
Open-air museum, open seasonally. Pioneer buildings, farm machinery, mining equipment and other historic artefacts.
Palmer Lake
Nearby
Tonasket
City / town · 4 listings · 16 mi away
Omak
City / town · 15 listings · 37 mi away
Republic
City / town · 9 listings · 38 mi away
Okanogan
City / town · 3 listings · 40 mi away
Winthrop
City / town · 8 listings · 47 mi away
Twisp
City / town · 4 listings · 51 mi away
Brewster
City / town · 2 listings · 60 mi away
Pateros
City / town · 7 listings · 65 mi away
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