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Five-Mile Recreation Area

Five-Mile Recreation Area is a picnic and swimming area on Big Chico Creek in Middle Bidwell Park. Its gate opens at 7:30 a.m. The City takes reservations for Five Mile West and Five Mile East, and dogs are not allowed in the swimming area. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.

In Chico

Middle ParkPart of the park
7:30 a.m.Gate opens
2Reservable areas
Not allowedDogs in swim area

Key Facts

  • Butte County Public Health issued a news release on July 18, 2025 warning residents not to swim or play in Big Chico Creek throughout Upper Bidwell Park to Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area, after reports of children hospitalized following swimming at Sycamore Pool and Five Mile Recreation Area.[6]
  • The City's plan lists Five-Mile Recreation Area in Middle Park, with Hooker Oak Recreation Area, the Horseshoe Lake area, the observatory, the equestrian arena and the municipal golf course.[1]
  • A dam was built on Big Chico Creek at Five-Mile around 1859 to supply Bidwell's flour mill, according to the City's plan.[2]
  • The City no longer dams the creek for swimming, but the plan says Five-Mile is still popular with swimmers.[2]
  • The 5-Mile Gate opens at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. from April to September and 7 p.m. from October to March.[3]
  • Five Mile West and Five Mile East are on the City's list of areas that may be reserved; reservations are not valid until the Park Division approves them.[4]
  • Dogs are not allowed in the Five-Mile swimming area, and horses are not allowed in the One-Mile or Five-Mile Recreation Areas.[5]
  • Portable barbecues may be used only next to existing barbecues in Lower Park and at the 5 Mile Recreation Area.[5]
  • No alcohol and no glass drink containers are allowed in any City park or playground.[5]
  • The plan lists wheelchair-accessible restrooms at Five-Mile Recreation Area.[2]

Plan Your Visit

WhatAs the operator states it
Run byCity of Chico Park Division
Drive from ChicoIn Chico
Hours5-Mile Gate opens 7:30 a.m.; closes 9 p.m. April to September and 7 p.m. October to March.[3]
DogsNot allowed in the Five-Mile swimming area.[5]
RestroomsWheelchair-accessible restrooms are listed in the City's 2008 plan.[2]
SwimmingSwimming is popular at Five-Mile per the City's plan; no lifeguard is mentioned.[2]
ReservationsFive Mile West and East may be reserved; call the Park Department at (530) 896-7800, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.[4]
PhonePark Division (530) 896-7800[4]
Official pageCity of Chico Park Division

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

Map of Five-Mile Recreation Area

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 confirmedFees: the reservation application and fee schedule is a separate City form; check it for fees.
  • Not confirmedParking capacity and which lots serve the swimming area.
  • Not confirmedWhether the July 2025 Butte County Public Health no-swim advisory is still in effect; we found no lifting notice and no later one. Check the County and the City before you swim.
  • Not confirmedLifeguards, swim-area boundaries and depth (no City page states them).
  • Not confirmedWhich of the two reservable areas is on which side of the creek.

More in Chico

All of ChicoBidwell ParkDowntown ChicoChico State CampusBidwell-Sacramento River State ParkGateway Science MuseumLaxson AuditoriumChico History MuseumSilver Dollar FairgroundsBear HoleOne-Mile Recreation AreaCaper AcresBeer Can BeachMadison Bear GardenAll 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the Five-Mile gate open?

The City's status page lists the 5-Mile Gate as opening at 7:30 a.m., closing at 9 p.m. April to September and 7 p.m. October to March.[3]

Can I reserve a picnic area at Five-Mile?

Yes. Five Mile West and Five Mile East can be reserved through the City Park Division at (530) 896-7800; the reservation is not valid until approved.[4]

Are dogs allowed at the Five-Mile swimming area?

No. The City's park rules do not allow dogs in the One-Mile or Five-Mile swimming areas.[5]

Sources

  1. Bidwell Park Master Management Plan Update, 1. Introduction, City of Chico Park Division. Read October 29, 2026.
  2. Bidwell Park Master Management Plan Update, 2. Existing Conditions (chapter 2.3 to 2.5), City of Chico Park Division. Read October 29, 2026.
  3. Trail, Gate, & Facility Status and Hours, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  4. Park Reservation & Donation, City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  5. Welcome to Bidwell Park (park rules, PDF), City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  6. Public Health Issues No-Swim Advisory for Big Chico Creek Due to E. Coli Risk (news release, July 18, 2025), Butte County Public Health. Read October 29, 2026.

Cite this page: “Five-Mile Recreation Area.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/chico/five-mile-recreation-area/

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.