Paradise Lake is a 204-acre lake just north of Paradise near Magalia, with 84 acres along one side open for outdoor activities. Since June 1, 2020 the Paradise Recreation & Park District has run recreation at the lake, which offers paddling, fishing, hiking and mountain biking. The lake supplies drinking water, so swimming, dogs and horses are not allowed. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.
From Chico: about 50 min (typical, without traffic)
Plan It in Three Lines
- Get thereFrom Chico: about 50 min, typical, without traffic. Address: 6853 Lucretia Road (parking area), north of Paradise near Magalia.
- WhenOpen 5:00 am to sunset; closed Wednesdays for maintenance.
- CostDaily parking $5; daily boat/parking $15; annual parking/boat pass $40; no charge with a disabled placard (2026 rates).
Key Facts
- As of June 1, 2020, the Paradise Recreation & Park District took over recreation amenities and operations at Paradise Lake from the Paradise Irrigation District.[1]
- The lake is 204 acres, lined on one side with 84 acres available for outdoor activities.[1]
- Paradise Lake offers paddling, fishing, hiking, mountain biking and other activities.[1]
- A shaded, developed picnic site has picnic tables, benches and a play structure.[1]
- Two boat launches at the north end of the lake give paddling access and small boat access with electric trolling motors only.[1]
- The lake supplies drinking water for the area; dogs, horses and swimming are prohibited.[1]
- Recreation facilities open at 5 am, close at sunset, and are closed every Wednesday for maintenance.[3]
- Every vehicle parked to use the lake facilities needs a daily or yearly parking pass shown on the driver's side windshield.[2]
- A California fishing license is required for anglers 16 and over; minnows as bait and frogging are prohibited.[2]
- Allowed boats are approved row boats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks and inflatable boats; motor boats, paddle boards, rafts, inner tubes and float tubes are not allowed.[2]
- No fishing, foot traffic or boat landing is allowed on the west side of the lake, and Paradise Dam and Magalia Dam and Reservoir are off limits.[2]
- There is no overnight camping, and fires are allowed only in the barbecue grills in the picnic area.[2]
- A planned 20-mile Magalia Paradise Lake Loop Trail would run from Lakeridge Park in Magalia along Magalia Reservoir up to Paradise Lake; trail work was set to begin in spring 2026.[5]
Areas Inside Paradise Lake
Picnic area
The shaded picnic site has tables, benches, a play structure, a gazebo and a group barbecue area.[1]
North-end boat launches
Two boat launches at the north end give paddling and small electric-motor boat access.[1]
Plan Your Visit
| What | As the operator states it |
|---|---|
| Run by | Paradise Recreation & Park District (recreation); lake supplies drinking water for the area |
| Address | 6853 Lucretia Road (parking area), north of Paradise near Magalia |
| Drive from Chico | About 50 min, typical, without traffic (Google Maps, plus 10 minutes, rounded) |
| Hours | Open 5:00 am to sunset; closed Wednesdays for maintenance.[3] |
| Fees | Daily parking $5; daily boat/parking $15; annual parking/boat pass $40; no charge with a disabled placard (2026 rates).[4] |
| Parking | Main parking lot off Lucretia Road; a parking pass must be displayed; vehicles must park in designated areas.[2] |
| Dogs | No dogs allowed, even on leashes.[2] |
| Accessibility | Disabled parking area and wheelchair ramp are in the main parking lot off Lucretia Road; vehicles with a disabled plate or placard park free.[2] |
| Camping | No overnight camping on Paradise Lake property.[2] |
| Boating | Row boats, sailboats, canoes, kayaks and approved inflatables; electric trolling motors only; boating sunrise to sunset; daily boat permit at the pay-to-park station.[2] |
| Swimming | Wading, bathing or swimming in the lake is strictly prohibited.[2] |
| Reservations | PRPD facilities can be reserved for events; call the PRPD office at 530-872-6393.[1] |
| Phone | (530) 872-6393[1] |
| Official page | Paradise Recreation & Park District (recreation); lake supplies drinking water for the area |
Not confirmedThe official pages we read do not publish restrooms for this place.
Hours at a Glance
Bars are drawn from the hours printed in Plan Your Visit below; a faded or dashed bar means the page prints sunrise or sunset, not a clock time. Today is outlined.
Admission, Side by Side
As the operator prints it: Daily parking $5; daily boat/parking $15; annual parking/boat pass $40; no charge with a disabled placard (2026 rates).
Dogs
No dogs allowed, even on leashes.
Map of Paradise Lake
Around Paradise Lake
- Gold Nugget Museum: 7.7 miles south
- Paradise Parks, Trailway and Museums: 8.1 miles south
- Butte Creek Canyon: 8.6 miles southwest
- Lime Saddle Marina: 12.8 miles south
- Bidwell Park: 14.4 miles southwest
- Silver Dollar Fairgrounds: 15.7 miles southwest
The yellow dot is this place. Rings are spaced so close places do not pile up, and a numbered badge may sit slightly off its true spot (a thin line ends at the true spot). Distances are straight-line miles worked out from the map points each page prints; they are not drive times or walking routes.
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 confirmedRestroom type and location at the lake
- Not confirmedSeasonal opening dates (no season published)
- Not confirmedTrail length at the lake itself
- Not confirmedParadise Irrigation District's own page about the lake (pid.org did not respond)
- Not confirmedCurrent status of the Magalia Paradise Lake Loop Trail construction
More in Paradise & The Ridge
Coming Up in Paradise & The Ridge
Nothing on our calendar for Paradise & The Ridge from today on yet. We only list a date once we have read it on the organizer’s own page, so here is what comes next. See every upcoming event.
Country Pumpkins: October Farm Season
Runs Oct 1 to Oct 31, 2026
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Country Pumpkins, Orland
Price: Free admission; corn maze $5, haunted maze $15
Open daily in October with pumpkins, a petting zoo, hay pyramid and slide, and a daytime corn maze (last entry 5:30 PM). The Haunted Maze runs 7 to 10 PM on select nights, last night Friday, October 30; the farm is closed Halloween.
Checked Oct 30, 2026 · Source for Country Pumpkins: October Farm Season (opens in a new tab)October Movies in The Park: Hocus Pocus 2
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
DeGarmo Park, Chico
Price: Free
Halloween movie night with a costume parade at 6:15 PM, food trucks and free popcorn; the film starts at dusk. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Checked Oct 29, 2026 · Source for October Movies in the Park: Hocus Pocus 2 (opens in a new tab)Costumed Dog Parade (Corning)
5:30 PM
Yaya's Tacos, Corning
Price: Free
Dog costume parade right after Trick or Treat Street.
Checked Oct 29, 2026 · Source for Costumed Dog Parade (Corning) (opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I swim or bring my dog at Paradise Lake?
No. The lake supplies drinking water, so swimming, wading, dogs (even on leash) and horses are prohibited.[2]
When is Paradise Lake open?
From 5:00 am to sunset every day except Wednesday, when it is closed for maintenance.[3]
How much does it cost to park?
PRPD's 2026 rates list daily parking at $5, a daily boat and parking pass at $15, and an annual parking and boat pass at $40.[4]
Sources
- Paradise Lake – Paradise Recreation & Park District, Paradise Recreation & Park District. Read October 29, 2026.
- Paradise Lake Rules and Regulations – Paradise Recreation & Park District, Paradise Recreation & Park District. Read October 29, 2026.
- Hours of Operation, Directions, Maps – Paradise Recreation & Park District, Paradise Recreation & Park District. Read October 29, 2026.
- Facility Rental Fees, Board of Directors Approved 2026 (PDF), Paradise Recreation & Park District. Read October 29, 2026.
- Magalia Paradise Lake Loop Trails – Paradise Recreation & Park District, Paradise Recreation & Park District. Read October 29, 2026.
Cite this page: “Paradise Lake.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/paradise-ridge/paradise-lake/
Coming Up Here
No dated event at Paradise Lake is on our calendar right now. We list a date only after reading it on the organizer’s own page, so an empty list means not listed yet, not that nothing is happening. See every upcoming event.