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Bidwell Park

Bidwell Park is a 3,670-acre city park in Chico, nearly 11 miles long, established on July 20, 1905 through a land donation by Annie Bidwell. Manzanita Avenue divides flat, shaded Lower Park from Middle and Upper Park in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The park has hiking and mountain biking trails, picnic areas, swimming holes and Sycamore Pool. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.

In Chico

3,670 acresSize
Nearly 11 milesLength
July 20, 1905Established
2Disc golf courses
Bidwell Park
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Key Facts

  • Bidwell Park was established July 20, 1905 through the donation by Annie Bidwell of approximately 2,500 acres of land to the City of Chico.[2]
  • The City bought more land later, including Cedar Grove in 1922 and 1,200 acres south of Big Chico Creek in Upper Park in 1995.[2]
  • Today the park is 3,670 acres and nearly 11 miles long, which the City says makes it one of the largest municipal parks in the United States.[2]
  • Upper Park has steep terrain and rock formations, including Chico Formation sandstone and Lovejoy Basalt.[2]
  • The park was named a California Park and Recreation Society 2013 Regional Treasure.[1]
  • Bidwell Park has two disc golf courses: Sherwood Forest in Middle Park and Peregrine Point in Upper Park.[1]
  • All trails in Bidwell Park are open to pedestrians, from the Yahi Trail along Big Chico Creek to the Guardian Trail.[6]
  • The City asks hikers to wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of drinking water and keep an eye out for rattlesnakes.[6]
  • Due to erosion issues, trails in Upper Bidwell Park are closed to bicycles and horses during wet conditions.[4]
  • Helmets must be worn by bicycle riders at all times in Upper Park except on pavement.[4]
  • Alcohol and glass beverage containers are not allowed in any City park or playground.[4]
  • Smoking is not allowed in Upper Park from May 1 to November 1.[4]
  • The City posts current swim status for Sycamore Pool and the creek swimming areas on its Swimming page; check it before you go.[3]
  • Trails, gates and facilities can close for wet weather, high fire risk days or other factors not posted online.[3]

Areas Inside Bidwell Park

  • Lower Park

    The area west of Manzanita Avenue is Lower Park; it is flat and level with a thick tree canopy that gives shade.[2]

  • Middle and Upper Park

    The area east of Manzanita Avenue is Middle and Upper Park; Upper Park sits in the Sierra Nevada foothills with steep terrain.[2]

  • One-Mile Recreation Area and Sycamore Pool

    Sycamore Pool at the One-Mile Recreation Area is a concrete pool built around Big Chico Creek; the City clears it of sediment beginning on or after June 15 each year.[9]

  • Five-Mile Recreation Area

    Portable barbecues may be used next to existing barbecues at the 5 Mile Recreation Area, and Five Mile West and Five Mile East can be reserved.[4]

  • Horseshoe Lake

    At Horseshoe Lake, anglers age 14 and over must catch and release; anglers under 14 may catch and keep.[1]

  • Yahi Trail

    The Yahi Trail in Upper Park follows Big Chico Creek.[6]

  • Chico Community Observatory

    The observatory in Upper Park near Horseshoe Lake is open weather-permitting Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights; phone (530) 895-4711.[8]

  • Chico Creek Nature Center

    The Chico Creek Nature Center is the official visitor's center for Bidwell Park, at 1968 E. Eighth Street next to Cedar Grove.[7]

  • Caper Acres

    Caper Acres is closed Mondays, or Tuesday when Monday is a holiday; its two birthday rings can be reserved free for up to two hours.[3]

  • Peregrine Point Disc Golf Course

    Peregrine Point is the disc golf course in Upper Park.[1]

Plan Your Visit

WhatAs the operator states it
Run byCity of Chico Park Division
Drive from ChicoIn Chico
HoursLower Park is closed from midnight until 5:00 am every day; Upper Park is closed from 11:00 pm until 60 minutes before sunrise unless posted otherwise. Gate hours vary by lot and season.[4]
SeasonGate closing times are later April-September (mostly 9:00 PM) than October-March (mostly 7:00 PM); the Main Upper Park Gate closes at 11:00 PM April-September and 9:00 PM October-March.[3]
ParkingVehicles are allowed on designated roads and established parking areas; lots include Cedar Grove, North 1-Mile, Petersen Drive and Horseshoe Lake Lot E, each with posted gate hours. The Upper Park gate at Lot E is closed Sundays and Mondays and in wet periods.[3]
DogsDogs may be off leash from 5:30 AM to 8:30 AM in Lower Park and anytime along the north side of Upper Park Road; all other times on leash. Dogs are not allowed in One-Mile or Five-Mile swimming areas or designated swimming holes in Upper Park.[4]
RestroomsThe 1-Mile Restroom (south side) opens at 7:30 AM and closes at 9:00 PM April-September or 7:00 PM October-March.[3]
CampingNo overnight camping allowed. Bidwell Park is a day use park only.[4]
SwimmingSycamore Pool at One-Mile is a concrete pool built around Big Chico Creek, from a shallow wading end to 6 or more feet near the dam; swim at your own risk. Lifeguards are on duty at One-Mile from Memorial Day through Labor Day.[5]
ReservationsPark areas are first-come, first-served unless reserved; reservable areas include the One Mile picnic/barbecue area, Cedar Grove, Five Mile West and East, and Caper Acres. Call the Park Department at (530) 896-7800, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.[10]
PhonePark Department (530) 896-7800[10]
Official pageCity of Chico Park Division

Not confirmedThe official pages we read do not publish fees, accessibility for this place.

Map of Bidwell Park

The pin is approximate, placed from the address or place name. © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions

What We Could Not Verify

These items were not on an official page we could open on October 29, 2026, or two official pages disagree. Check with the operator before you rely on them.

  • Not confirmedMonkey Face description (city page only links to an outside site)
  • Not confirmedNorth Rim Trail (not named on the city pages read)
  • Not confirmedAny entry or parking fee
  • Not confirmedFive-Mile Recreation Area hours (only the 5-Mile Gate hours are posted)
  • Not confirmedAccessibility details
  • Not confirmedClosure hotline number
  • Not confirmedChico Creek Nature Center hours

More in Chico

All of ChicoChico State CampusDowntown ChicoGateway Science MuseumBidwell-Sacramento River State ParkChico History MuseumLaxson AuditoriumSilver Dollar FairgroundsAll Places

Coming Up in Chico

32 events are on our calendar for Chico from today on. 2 are listed as free by the organizer. This list rebuilds itself every day at midnight, Pacific time.

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my dog to Bidwell Park?

Yes. Dogs may be off leash 5:30-8:30 AM in Lower Park and anytime on the north side of Upper Park Road, but must be under voice control, and are not allowed in the One-Mile or Five-Mile swimming areas or Upper Park swimming holes.[4]

When is Sycamore Pool staffed by lifeguards?

Lifeguards are on duty in the One-Mile swim area from Memorial Day through Labor Day.[4]

Can I camp in Bidwell Park?

No. Bidwell Park is a day use park only and overnight camping is not allowed.[4]

Sources

  1. Bidwell Park, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  2. About Bidwell Park, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  3. Trail, Gate, & Facility Status and Hours, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  4. Welcome to Bidwell Park (park rules), City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  5. Swimming, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  6. Hiking, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  7. Education and Information Center, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  8. Star Gazing, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  9. Sycamore Pool Frequently Asked Questions, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  10. Park Reservation & Donation, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.

Cite this page: “Bidwell Park.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/chico/bidwell-park/