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Caper Acres

Caper Acres is a fairy tale playground in the South One-Mile Recreation Area of Bidwell Park, near Sycamore Pool. It opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday and is closed on Mondays for maintenance. Two birthday rings can be reserved for free for up to two hours. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.

In Chico

9 a.m.Opens
Tuesday to SundayOpen days
2, freeBirthday rings
Not allowed insideDogs and bikes

Key Facts

  • The City describes Caper Acres as a fairy tale-themed playground near Sycamore Pool, with a Crooked House play structure, a pirate ship playground and a Humpty Dumpty sandbox.[2]
  • The playground is at 500 South Park Drive, in the South One-Mile Recreation Area of Bidwell Park.[1]
  • It opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday and is closed every Monday for maintenance; when a holiday falls on Monday, it is open Monday and closed Tuesday.[1]
  • Amenities are restrooms and a drinking fountain.[1]
  • Two birthday rings can be reserved at no charge for up to two hours: Ring 1 holds up to 40 people and Ring 2 up to 20.[1]
  • Bounce houses, pinatas and barbecues are not allowed inside, and bicycle or scooter riding and dogs are not allowed inside.[1]
  • The City's sheet says visitors ages 13 and over must be accompanied by someone under 13 to enter.[1]
  • The park rules also say bicycle riding is not allowed in Caper Acres or on the pool deck.[7]
  • The City's Caper Acres master plan says the playground had a tough run since its last remodel in the mid-1990s, and describes the plan as combining new equipment, repairs and replacing worn buildings.[5]
  • The City's Caper Acres page says renovation plans are underway.[2]
  • The City's status page lists Caper Acres as open on its October 16, 2026 update, closed Mondays.[4]
  • The City's 2008 plan lists paved accessible parking at Caper Acres.[6]

Plan Your Visit

WhatAs the operator states it
Run byCity of Chico Park Division
Address500 South Park Drive, Chico, CA
Drive from ChicoIn Chico
Hours9 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed Mondays (Tuesday after a Monday holiday). Closing time not published on the pages we read.[1]
FeesNo admission fee is stated; the birthday rings are free to reserve for up to two hours.[1]
DogsNot allowed inside.[1]
RestroomsRestrooms and a drinking fountain.[1]
AccessibilityPaved accessible parking at Caper Acres (2008 plan).[6]
ReservationsBirthday rings reserved through the City Park Division, (530) 896-7800.[3]
PhonePark Division (530) 896-7800[1]
Official pageCity of Chico Park Division

Map of Caper Acres

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 confirmedClosing time each day and seasonal hours.
  • Not confirmedAdmission fee: none is stated, but no page says in so many words that entry is free.
  • Not confirmedRenovation schedule, funding and whether any equipment is closed now (the City page says plans are underway; the master plan is undated on the copy we read).
  • Not confirmedAccessibility of the play equipment itself (only parking and restrooms are listed).

More in Chico

All of ChicoBidwell ParkDowntown ChicoChico State CampusBidwell-Sacramento River State ParkGateway Science MuseumLaxson AuditoriumChico History MuseumSilver Dollar FairgroundsBear HoleFive-Mile Recreation AreaOne-Mile Recreation AreaAll Places

Coming Up in Chico

20 events are on our calendar for Chico in the next 45 days. 1 is 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Caper Acres open?

At 9 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday. It is closed Mondays, except that after a Monday holiday it is open Monday and closed Tuesday.[1]

Can I reserve a birthday ring at Caper Acres?

Yes. Two rings are free to reserve for up to two hours: Ring 1 holds up to 40 people and Ring 2 up to 20. Bounce houses, pinatas and barbecues are not allowed.[1]

Can I bring my dog or bike into Caper Acres?

No. The City's sheet does not allow dogs, bicycles or scooters inside the playground.[1]

Sources

  1. Caper Acres, 500 South Park Drive (reservation sheet, PDF), City of Chico Park Division. Read October 29, 2026.
  2. Caper Acres (City page), City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  3. Park Reservation & Donation, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  4. Trail, Gate, & Facility Status and Hours, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  5. Caper Acres Master Plan (PDF), City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  6. Bidwell Park Master Management Plan Update, 2. Existing Conditions (chapter 2.3 to 2.5), City of Chico Park Division. Read October 29, 2026.
  7. Welcome to Bidwell Park (park rules, PDF), City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.

Cite this page: “Caper Acres.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/chico/caper-acres/

On The Map

8 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.