What to Do Around Chico by Season

Winter is for geese and salmon, spring for almond blossom, summer for creek water and mountain shade, and fall for harvest and the first ducks. Every item below is dated by the agency or organizer that sets it, and none of it is a promise: bloom and color have no official peak week.

Checked October 29, 2026

• Dec-Febgeese, steelhead, ice rink
• Feb-Maralmond bloom
• Memorial Day-Labor DaySycamore Pool lifeguards
• Mid-Sept to mid-Novsalmon spawning at the hatchery

• Winter
• Spring
• Summer
• Fall
• Month By Month

Winter: December to February

Chico winters are mild and wet (January averages a 56.1°F high and 5.12 inches of rain, NOAA). The wildlife is the draw.

• Snow Goose Festival

  January 28 to 31, 2027

  The organizer lists more than 55 field trips plus free activities for all ages. The full schedule is due in December 2026; registration dates were not posted when we checked. Birding and the festival guide.

  Source: Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway (opens in a new tab)

• Gray Lodge Wildlife Area

  Peak visitation: October through February

  Open daily, sunrise to sunset. CDFW says parts may close for flooding in winter. A Lands Pass is required for anyone 16 or older. Gray Lodge page.

  Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (opens in a new tab)

• Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

  Waterfowl peak: late November to early December

  The refuge says ducks arrive by the thousands in October. The 6-mile auto tour needs a $6 daily pass. Refuge page.

  Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab)

• Steelhead at the Feather River Fish Hatchery

  Mid-December to mid-February

  The hatchery is open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the underwater viewing window best from mid-September through June. Hatchery page.

  Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (opens in a new tab)

• Chico Ice Rink

  Opens November 12, 2026; runs through January, weather permitting

  Downtown Chico Plaza, 132 W 4th St. The City lists seven days a week, with the Thanksgiving Day closure. Not confirmed Public skating price: the page lists none, so check the ticket link.

  Source: City of Chico Recreation (opens in a new tab)

Spring: March to May

• Almond Bloom

  Mid-February to mid-March

  The Almond Board of California says buds open white and light pink in that window. It prints no peak week. The orchards are private farms, so look from public roads. Almond bloom guide.

  Source: Almond Board of California (opens in a new tab)

• Shorebirds at the Sacramento Refuge

  April

  The refuge says shorebirds pass through in April. Trails and the visitor center are fee-free; the auto tour is not.

  Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab)

• Orland Buttes at Black Butte Lake

  Opens April 1

  The Army Corps campground is open April 1 through the second Monday in September; Buckhorn stays open all year. Black Butte Lake page.

  Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (via Recreation.gov) (opens in a new tab)

• Saturday Farmers Market

  All year, 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  Downtown Chico municipal lot at 2nd and Wall Streets, rain or shine. Farm country guide.

  Source: Chico Certified Farmers’ Market (opens in a new tab)

Spring warms fast: April averages a 72.8°F high and May 81.3°F (NOAA).

Summer: June to August

Chico gets about 99 days a year at 90°F or hotter, and July averages a 95.2°F high (NOAA). Most summer plans here involve water or elevation.

• Sycamore Pool and One-Mile

  Lifeguards: Memorial Day through Labor Day

  The City says swim at your own risk and posts a daily water status. The pool is cleared of debris from June 15 at the earliest, usually every other Thursday, and is closed while that happens. Swimming guide.

  Source: City of Chico (opens in a new tab)

• Lake Almanor

  Almanor Campground: generally Memorial Day to Labor Day

  The mountain lake runs cooler than the valley: Chester averages an 86.1°F July high (NOAA). The Forest Service lists $18 a night for a single site. Lake Almanor guide.

  Source: USDA Forest Service (opens in a new tab)

• Lake Oroville

  Camping reservations recommended late spring through Labor Day

  State Parks lists vehicle day use at $8. Lifeguard service is seasonal only at the Loafer Creek area and the North Forebay. Lake Oroville guide.

  Source: California State Parks (opens in a new tab)

• Feather River Canyon Campgrounds

  Queen Lily services: mid-May to late September

  Plumas National Forest lists $31 a night at the canyon campgrounds. Gansner Bar and North Fork closed for the 2026 season on September 27. Feather River guide.

  Source: USDA Forest Service, Plumas National Forest (opens in a new tab)

Fall: September to November

• Salmon at the Feather River Fish Hatchery

  Spawning Monday to Friday, mid-September to mid-November

  The viewing window opens up around mid-September. Weekend hours and holiday closures: Not confirmed Hatchery page.

  Source: California Department of Fish and Wildlife (opens in a new tab)

• Almond Harvest

  Mid-August to October

  Butte County had 34,278 bearing acres of almonds in 2025. Harvest is farm work on private land; enjoy it from the road. Almond guide.

  Source: Butte County Agricultural Commissioner (opens in a new tab)

• Fall Color Near Lake Almanor

  Autumn, no peak week printed

  The Forest Service points to aspen, willow and alder around Lake Almanor and Hat Creek Rim. Plan the drive with our Feather River to Lake Almanor loop.

  Source: USDA Forest Service, fall colors (opens in a new tab)

• First Ducks and the Flyway

  October to early December

  Ducks arrive by the thousands in October at the Sacramento refuge, with waterfowl peaking late November to early December.

  Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab)

Month by Month

Coming Up in Chico

What We Could Not Verify

• Peak week for almond bloom or fall color: neither the Almond Board nor the Forest Service prints one.
• Public skating price at the Chico Ice Rink: the City page lists none.
• Registration dates for the 2027 Snow Goose Festival: the organizer had not posted them.
• Lake Almanor road and snow conditions in winter: check Caltrans before you drive.

More to Plan With

• Day Trips From Chico
• Things To Do With Kids
• All Guides
• Itineraries
• Plan a Visit

Sources

1. Snow Goose Festival of the Pacific Flyway: https://www.snowgoosefestival.org/ (checked October 29, 2026)
2. CDFW, Gray Lodge Wildlife Area: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Lands/Places-to-Visit/Gray-Lodge-WA (checked October 29, 2026)
3. USFWS, Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge: https://www.fws.gov/locations/sacramento-national-wildlife-refuge (checked October 29, 2026)
4. USDA Forest Service, Almanor Campground: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/lassen/recreation/almanor-campground (checked October 29, 2026)
5. USDA Forest Service, Queen Lily Campground: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/plumas/recreation/queen-lily-campground (checked October 29, 2026)
6. Recreation.gov, Black Butte Lake: https://www.recreation.gov/gateways/473 (checked October 29, 2026)
7. CDFW, Feather River Fish Hatchery: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Fishing/Hatcheries/Feather-River (checked October 29, 2026)
8. City of Chico Recreation, Chico Ice Rink: https://www.chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink (checked October 29, 2026)
9. Almond Board of California: https://www.almonds.org/why-almonds/growing-good/almond-lifecycle (checked October 29, 2026)
10. Butte County, 2025 Agricultural Crop Report: https://www.buttecounty.net/Archive.aspx?ADID=1244 (checked October 29, 2026)
11. USDA Forest Service, fall colors: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/fall-colors (checked October 29, 2026)
12. City of Chico, Bidwell Park swimming: https://chicoca.gov/Our-Community/Parks-Recreation-and-Experience-the-Outdoors/Bidwell-Park/Swimming/ (checked October 29, 2026)
13. California State Parks, Lake Oroville SRA: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=462 (checked October 29, 2026)
14. Chico Certified Farmers’ Market: https://chicofarmersmarket.com/ (checked October 29, 2026)
15. NOAA NCEI normals, Chico: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/data/normals-monthly/1991-2020/access/USC00041715.csv (checked October 29, 2026)