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One-Mile Recreation Area

One-Mile Recreation Area is the busiest part of Lower Bidwell Park, a few blocks from downtown Chico. It holds Sycamore Pool, a concrete pool built around Big Chico Creek, the Caper Acres playground and a reservable picnic and barbecue area. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.

In Chico

Up to 6+ ftPool depth
Memorial Day to Labor DayLifeguards
9 a.m.South gate opens
Not allowedDogs in swim area
One-Mile Recreation Area
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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.[7]
  • Sycamore Pool is a concrete pool built around Big Chico Creek, from a shallow wading end to 6 or more feet near the dam; the City says to swim at your own risk.[1]
  • In the One-Mile swim area, the rules require following the lifeguards, who are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day.[2]
  • The City posts Sycamore Pool's current status on its trail, gate and facility status page, and its Swimming page links the 2026 water quality reports.[3]
  • Caper Acres, the fairy tale playground, is in the South One-Mile Recreation Area.[6]
  • The One Mile Picnic/Barbecue Area may be reserved; a key checkout is required for the large barbecue.[4]
  • The South 1-Mile Gate and bollards at the 4th Street entrance open at 9 a.m.; the North 1-Mile parking lot and the south-side restroom open at 7:30 a.m.; all close at 9 p.m. April to September and 7 p.m. October to March.[3]
  • Dogs are not allowed in the One-Mile swim area, horses are not allowed in the One-Mile Recreation Area, and bicycle riding is not allowed on the pool deck.[2]
  • No alcohol and no glass drink containers are allowed in any City park or playground.[2]
  • The plan lists wheelchair-accessible restrooms at the One-Mile Recreation Area and paved accessible parking north of Sycamore Pool and at Caper Acres.[5]

Plan Your Visit

WhatAs the operator states it
Run byCity of Chico Park Division
Drive from ChicoIn Chico
HoursSouth 1-Mile Gate 9 a.m.; North 1-Mile lot and south-side restroom 7:30 a.m.; closing 9 p.m. April to September, 7 p.m. October to March.[3]
DogsNot allowed in the One-Mile swim area.[2]
RestroomsSouth-side restroom opens 7:30 a.m.; wheelchair-accessible restrooms are listed in the 2008 plan.[3]
AccessibilityPaved accessible parking north of Sycamore Pool and at Caper Acres (2008 plan).[5]
SwimmingSycamore Pool: swim at your own risk; lifeguards Memorial Day through Labor Day.[1]
ReservationsOne Mile Picnic/Barbecue Area: call (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 for this place.

Map of One-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 confirmedEntry or parking fee (no fee on any City page we read).
  • Not confirmedPool and lifeguard hours of the day (the page we read gives the season, not the hours).
  • Not confirmedThe date and schedule of the annual pool clearing beyond what the City's Sycamore Pool FAQ states (our Bidwell Park guide lists the FAQ).
  • Not confirmedParking capacity at the North and South One-Mile lots.
  • 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.

More in Chico

All of ChicoBidwell ParkDowntown ChicoChico State CampusBidwell-Sacramento River State ParkGateway Science MuseumLaxson AuditoriumChico History MuseumSilver Dollar FairgroundsBear HoleFive-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 is Sycamore Pool?

A concrete pool built around Big Chico Creek in the One-Mile Recreation Area, shallow at one end and 6 feet or more near the dam. The City says to swim at your own risk.[1]

When are the lifeguards on duty?

From Memorial Day through Labor Day, and swimmers must follow the lifeguards.[2]

Where do I find the pool's swim status?

On the City's trail, gate and facility status page, which lists Sycamore Pool's status and is updated by the Park Division.[3]

Sources

  1. Swimming (Bidwell Park), City of Chico. Read October 29, 2026.
  2. Welcome to Bidwell Park (park rules, PDF), City of Chico. 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. Bidwell Park Master Management Plan Update, 2. Existing Conditions (chapter 2.3 to 2.5), City of Chico Park Division. Read October 29, 2026.
  6. Caper Acres, 500 South Park Drive (reservation sheet, PDF), City of Chico Park Division. Read October 29, 2026.
  7. 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: “One-Mile Recreation Area.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/chico/one-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.