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Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park

Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park is a day-use park along the Sacramento River about 6 miles west of Chico. It protects riparian habitat and is a popular spot for bank or boat fishing for salmon, steelhead and shad. Its day use areas are Indian Fishery, Big Chico Creek, Pine Creek and the Irvine Finch River Access. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.

From Chico: about 20 min (typical, without traffic)

$6.00Vehicle day use
6 miles westFrom Chico
Day use onlyHours
4Day use areas
Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Plan It in Three Lines

  • Get thereFrom Chico: about 20 min, typical, without traffic.
  • WhenDay Use Only.
  • CostVehicle Day Use: $6.00. Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods and weekends.

Key Facts

  • The park is a popular fishing spot 6 miles west of Chico along the Sacramento River.[1]
  • The main activity is bank or boat fishing for salmon, steelhead and shad.[1]
  • Floating the river on inner tubes, canoes or kayaks is the next most popular activity.[1]
  • The park preserves riverine habitat with oaks, cottonwoods, elderberry, wild grape and wild rose.[1]
  • From Chico, take West Sacramento Ave. 5 miles to River Road.[1]
  • The park is day use only.[1]
  • Vehicle day use is $6.00; special rates may apply for peak season, holidays and weekends.[1]
  • The park accepts the California Explorer, Golden Poppy, Distinguished Veteran and California State Library Parks passes.[1]
  • Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool, and layered clothing is advised.[1]
  • Posted orders include temporary fire restrictions dated 5/15/2026.[1]

Areas Inside Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park

  • Indian Fishery Day Use Area

    Indian Fishery is an oxbow lake in oak woodland used for picnics, bird watching, fishing and hiking.[1]

  • Big Chico Creek Day Use Area

    A large gravel bar fronts the river here, and many rafts and tubes exit the river at this spot.[1]

  • Pine Creek

    Pine Creek is used for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking and wildlife watching.[1]

  • Irvine Finch River Access

    A five acre parking lot and launch ramp just west of the Hwy. 32 Sacramento River Bridge.[1]

Plan Your Visit

WhatAs the operator states it
Run byCalifornia State Parks
Drive from ChicoAbout 20 min, typical, without traffic (Google Maps, plus 10 minutes, rounded)
HoursDay Use Only.[1]
FeesVehicle Day Use: $6.00. Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods and weekends.[1]
ParkingIrvine Finch River Access has a five acre parking lot and launch ramp.[1]
DogsAre dogs allowed? Yes.[1]
RestroomsRestrooms and drinking water are listed among park facilities.[1]
BoatingBoat ramps are listed; Irvine Finch River Access has a launch ramp for boating, canoeing or tubing.[1]
SwimmingVisitors swim at the Big Chico Creek Day Use Area gravel bar; a beach area and swimming are listed among activities.[1]
ReservationsNo upcoming camping/lodging reservations at this time.[1]
Phone530-342-5185[1]
Official pageCalifornia State Parks

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

Hours at a Glance

Day Use Only.

The hours are too varied for a bar chart, so they stay as the operator states them.

Costs

Vehicle day use$6

As the operator prints it: Vehicle Day Use: $6.00. Special rates may apply for peak season, high demand holiday periods and weekends.

Dogs

Are dogs allowed? Yes.

Map of Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park

The pin uses the coordinates the operator prints. © OpenStreetMap contributors. Directions

Around Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park

2 mi4 mi6 miN123456
  1. Chico State Campus: 4.0 miles east
  2. Gateway Science Museum: 4.0 miles east
  3. Laxson Auditorium: 4.0 miles east
  4. Chico History Museum: 4.1 miles east
  5. Downtown Chico: 4.3 miles east
  6. Bidwell Park: 5.6 miles east

The yellow dot is this place. Rings are spaced so close places do not pile up, and a numbered badge may sit slightly off its true spot (a thin line ends at the true spot). Distances are straight-line miles worked out from the map points each page prints; they are not drive times or walking routes.

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 confirmedOpening and closing times (page says only day use)
  • Not confirmedLifeguards or swimming safety rules
  • Not confirmedOvernight camping (page lists en route campsites but shows no reservations)
  • Not confirmedPark size in acres

More in Chico

All of ChicoBidwell ParkChico State CampusDowntown ChicoGateway Science MuseumChico History MuseumLaxson AuditoriumSilver Dollar FairgroundsAll Places

Coming Up in Chico

21 events are on our calendar for Chico in the next 45 days. 2 are listed as free by the organizer. This list rebuilds itself every day at midnight, Pacific time.

October 2026

November 2026

December 2026

Sources: each card links to the organizer’s own page and shows the date we checked it. This list shows the next 45 days; see every upcoming event.

Related Pages

More pages on this topic: Sacramento River Tubing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit?

Vehicle day use is $6.00; special rates may apply at peak times.[1]

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, the State Parks page says dogs are allowed.[1]

Where do river floats end?

Many river rafts and tubes exit the river at the Big Chico Creek Day Use Area.[1]

Sources

  1. Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, California State Parks. Read October 29, 2026.

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

Coming Up Here

No dated event at Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park is on our calendar right now. We list a date only after reading it on the organizer’s own page, so an empty list means not listed yet, not that nothing is happening. See every upcoming event.

On The Map

7 places named on this page are pinned. Tap a pin for the page and directions. Dashed pins were placed from the street address and are approximate. © OpenStreetMap contributors.