Skip to ContentBidwell Mansion itself is closed: California State Parks says it “remains closed due to the December 11, 2024 Mansion Fire.” The park’s visitor center, with an exhibit hall and gift shop, is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and State Parks says there is no fee to visit, with parking at $10 per vehicle.
Checked November 3, 2026
- ClosedMansion, since Dec 11, 2024
- Fri-SatVisitor center, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- $10Parking per vehicle
- 525The Esplanade, Chico
Read this first: the hours, fees, rules and closures on this page were taken from the sources named beside them; we read those sources on November 3, 2026. The California State Parks park page and its news releases of December 11, 2024, July 31, 2026 and October 5, 2026. This is not legal, medical or safety advice. They change, so check the agency or business named before you rely on them. Anything we could not read is marked Not Confirmed where it appears. On the same park page one older line still describes mansion tours; we explain it below.
What Is Open Now
| Item | What State Parks says |
|---|---|
| Mansion | “The Bidwell Mansion remains closed due to the December 11, 2024 Mansion Fire.” |
| Visitor center | Exhibit hall and gift shop, open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 AM to 3 PM |
| Cost | July 31, 2026 release: “There is no fee to visit. Parking is available for $10 per vehicle.” |
| Address | 525 The Esplanade, Chico |
| Phone | (530) 895-6144 |
| Dogs | Are dogs allowed? No |
| Accessibility | The Visitor Center is completely accessible: restrooms, water fountain, lobby, museum store, exhibit hall and theater |
The July 31, 2026 release says the exhibit hall covers the legacy of John and Annie Bidwell, California’s early agricultural history, the founding of the City of Chico and the origins of California State University, Chico. The shop is run by the Bidwell Mansion Association, and the release says proceeds support educational programs at the park. For the story of the house see our Bidwell Mansion history page.
Where State Parks’ Page Disagrees With Itself
Two Versions of The Hours and Fees
The same park page prints an older line: “The Visitor Center is open Saturday through Monday 11am-5pm. Tours are on the hour, with the last tour at 4:00 pm,” and still lists Adult Entry Fee $6.00 and Youth Entry Fee $3.00. That conflicts with the current-restrictions banner and the July 2026 release above. We use the banner and the release because they are newer and say the mansion is closed, and we mark the older tour times Not Confirmed . Call (530) 895-6144 before you go.
Recovery Planning
State Parks launched Reimagine Bidwell Mansion on September 5, 2025 as a 15-month project to build a new vision for the park with community and tribal partners. Its October 5, 2026 release announced an open house on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at the visitor center, and says materials shown there “will remain on display at the Bidwell Mansion SHP Visitor Center for several weeks following the open house.” The release says the open house would include perspectives from the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico Rancheria. Latest updates are at ReimagineBidwellMansion.org, which we did not read.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you tour Bidwell Mansion right now?
No. State Parks says the mansion remains closed because of the December 11, 2024 fire. Only the visitor center is open, on Fridays and Saturdays.
Is the Bidwell Mansion visitor center free?
State Parks’ July 31, 2026 release says there is no fee to visit and that parking is $10 per vehicle. The park page still lists older entry fees, so ask when you call.
When is the Bidwell Mansion visitor center open?
Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to State Parks’ current-restrictions banner and its July 31, 2026 release.
Sources
- California State Parks, Bidwell Mansion SHP: https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=460 (read November 3, 2026, Current Restrictions banner checked 11/3/2026)
- California State Parks news release, December 11, 2024: https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1340 (read November 3, 2026)
- California State Parks news release, July 31, 2026: https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1554 (read November 3, 2026)
- California State Parks news release, October 5, 2026: https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1584 (read November 3, 2026)
Keep Planning
Cite this page: It's Chico, “Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park: Tours and Visitor Center”, itschico.com/visit/tours-and-day-trips/bidwell-mansion-state-historic-park-visit/ (updated ). By the It's Chico editorial team. Free to quote with attribution and a link to this page; data and tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.