Skip to Content
It’s ChicoSearch

Floating The Sacramento River Near Chico

Floating the Sacramento River near Chico means an inner tube, canoe or kayak on a river whose flow is set by upstream dam releases, not by the weather in town. California State Parks lists public launches in Butte and Glenn counties, and a state law limits alcohol in boats on one stretch during holiday periods. We found no agency page that sets float rules or a season, so this page prints only what is on official pages. Checked October 29, 2026.

7Public launches in Butte and Glenn
Hwy 32 to Big Chico CreekStretch with the boat alcohol law
$6Vehicle day use at the State Park
Not confirmedOfficial float season

Public Access Points

The State Division of Boating and Waterways lists these public launches on the Sacramento River in Butte and Glenn counties.[1] We list them by name only and do not recommend an outfitter.

  • Irvine Finch River Access

    Hamilton City, Glenn County, just west of the Highway 32 river bridge. State Parks says it has a five-acre parking lot and a launch ramp for boating, canoeing or tubing.[3]

  • Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park

    Chico, Butte County. State Parks lists day use only, vehicle day use of $6, and tubes, canoes and kayaks among the popular activities.[3]

  • Scotty’s Boat Landing

    12609 River Road, Chico, Butte County. The State listing shows a public launch with a restaurant, snack bar, restrooms, showers and tackle sales; phone (530) 710-2020.[2]

  • Pine Creek Landing, Big Chico Creek launch, Ord Bend Park, Butte City

    Also listed as public launches: Pine Creek Landing and the Big Chico Creek facility (both Chico, Butte County), Ord Bend Park and the Butte City Launching Facility (both Glenn County).[1]

Our Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park page has the park facts.

Alcohol and Glass on The River

A 2011 state bill, AB 494, set a rule for one stretch of the river: from the Highway 32 bridge to the mouth of Big Chico Creek. The Legislature’s analysis says a person in a non-motorized vessel or a bather may not possess a container with an alcoholic beverage, open or closed, during the summer holiday periods when the Glenn and Butte County Boards of Supervisors prohibit alcohol on the land portions along the river. It describes a first-offense fine of $100 and $200 after that, and requires the counties to post notice.[4]

That is the bill as analysed in 2011. We did not find the current county resolutions, the dates of the holiday periods in 2026, or the current fine on a page we could open. Treat the stretch and the dates as unconfirmed and read the signs at your launch.

For glass and alcohol at the State Park itself, we found no separate rule on the State Parks page we read.[3] City of Chico park rules (no alcohol or glass in City parks) apply to City parks such as Bidwell Park, not to the river.

River Flows and Safety

The river rises and falls with releases from dams upstream. The Department of Water Resources runs live gauges on the river near Chico: station ORD, Sacramento R at Ord Ferry,[5] and station HMC, Sacramento R at Hamilton City.[6] Live flow figures change by the hour and are not confirmed here, so look them up on the day.

PG&E’s hydropower safety page, written for its own rivers, warns that hydro systems can release large amounts of rushing water at any time, sometimes without warning, and advises a Coast Guard-approved life jacket even when water looks low.[7] The Sacramento is not a PG&E river in this reach. We cite the page as the general hydro warning only. The State Division of Boating and Waterways requires a Coast Guard-approved life jacket for every child under 13 on a moving recreational boat; see Swimming Holes and River Floats for the agency wording.

Beer Can Beach

Beer Can Beach is a local nickname, not a name we found on any State, County or federal page. We could not confirm who owns or manages it, which county it is in, or who may use it. See the Beer Can Beach page for what official pages do say.

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 confirmedA float season or start date (no agency page we read sets one).
  • Not confirmedTube rental or shuttle operators: no operator website is confirmed, and we do not recommend any. Scotty's own website is not confirmed (check with the operator); the State listing gives its address and phone.
  • Not confirmedCurrent county alcohol resolutions, the 2026 holiday dates and the current fine.
  • Not confirmedBureau of Reclamation release notices and any schedule for flows below Keswick Dam.
  • Not confirmedWho owns Beer Can Beach and which county rules apply there.
  • Not confirmedFloat distances and times between launches.

More Water Near Chico

Swimming Holes and River FloatsBidwell-Sacramento River State ParkOne-Mile Recreation AreaFive-Mile Recreation AreaBeer Can BeachBear HoleAll Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I put in on the Sacramento River near Chico?

State Parks lists public launches including Irvine Finch River Access, Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, Scotty's Boat Landing, Pine Creek Landing and the Big Chico Creek facility, plus Ord Bend Park and Butte City in Glenn County.[1]

Can I drink alcohol while floating?

During summer holiday periods when Butte and Glenn counties prohibit alcohol on the river banks, state law (AB 494, 2011) bars alcohol containers in non-motorized boats from the Highway 32 bridge to Big Chico Creek. We could not confirm the current dates or fines.[4]

When is tubing season?

We found no official season. State Parks lists tubing among popular activities at Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park but gives no dates.[3]

How do I check the river level?

The Department of Water Resources publishes gauge stations at Ord Ferry (ORD) and Hamilton City (HMC) on its CDEC website; check them the day you go.[5]

Sources

  1. Boating Facilities at Sacramento River, California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways. Read October 29, 2026.
  2. Scotty's Boat Landing (boating facility listing), California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways. Read October 29, 2026.
  3. Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park, California State Parks. Read October 29, 2026.
  4. AB 494 (Logue, 2011), Assembly floor analysis as amended July 12, 2011, California Legislature. Read October 29, 2026.
  5. CDEC station ORD, Sacramento R at Ord Ferry, California Department of Water Resources. Read October 29, 2026.
  6. CDEC station HMC, Sacramento R at Hamilton City, California Department of Water Resources. Read October 29, 2026.
  7. Hydropower Safety, PG&E. Read October 29, 2026.

Cite this page: “Floating the Sacramento River Near Chico.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/guides/sacramento-river-tubing/

On The Map

2 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.