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    Bidwell Park

    4.7 (101 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

    Bidwell Park Photos

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    Sandrine T.

    Bidwell Park is hands down one of my favorite places in Chico. It's truly a gem--sprawling, peaceful, and full of hidden treasures. Whether you're looking for a quiet place to walk, a rugged trail to hike, or a shady spot to picnic, Bidwell has it all.

    The beginning of the trail
    Erika M.

    Definitely a Hike to remember & continue going to! This was around 10AM and foggy but it was definitely still very enjoyable and chilly.

    Rebekah T.

    One of my favorite places to go in Chico is Bidwell Park. We have family living in Chico and the park is in walking distance. I like to take warly morning walks through the park, getting my steps in. There are often many joggers, walkers, bikers and kids playing and families picnicing. Bidwell is the heart of Chico, spanning over 3,600 acres. Through the different seasons, the leaves change and provide a really beautiful park to explore. It's an older park, which you can see in the details - the outdoor swimming pool, bridges and layout. It was established in 1905, but has a long history of incorporating new areas to the park. I highly recommend checking out Bidwell Park, it's a natural treasure.

    Trees
    Anthony V.

    I stumbled upon this park just driving around outside of Chico. I found it calm soothing relaxed clean and everybody here was helpful and giving me tips on where to hike and we're not to go to. I wish I could be here forever!

    Ivy S.

    The writer of Alice in Wonderland supposedly made up the story while watching a neighbor girl play in her back yard garden. It must have been a magical wonderland for any adult or child to imagine such a fanciful story. Now to Bidwell Park. I can only say that this place is as awe inspiring for both child and adult. This is the best park Ive ever been to in my entire life. I dare you to rival the children's play area. There are some of the most wonderful play structures that have ever been. My son still talks about the Crooked House. Its a large house that's well, crooked. There is a small kiddy slide and larger big kid slide. My 2 year old loved the big kid slide. I didn't love the pushy big kids who almost trampled him but he didn't seem to mind. There's underground tunnels, sand areas, a castle to pretend a dragon is attacking you. Surrounding the children's park is some great open spaces were I saw Larpers. Yes, Larpers. If you don't know what a Larper is, Google it. While I make fun of Larping, I can see the draw. The park seems medieval, enchanted out of a Disney Movie whimsical. Its worth the 4 hour drive from the Bay Area just to come here.

    MsMichele P.

    I absolutely LOVE the bike riding/horse riding/running/walking paths at Bidwell Park. Its the most perfect place or for a couple of reasons: 1) TONS of trees literally zillions 2) In those tons of trees, tons of singing birds 3) Singing birds ROCK and make the park super natury (prounounced: nature-ie. Ya like that?? I CAN make up words!) 4) The creek running through the park is beautiful and also makes the most natury sounds. LOVE!! 5) You can ride/walk all friggin day and not explore the same path. The paths go for miles and miles and miles. ANOTHER LOVE!! 6) There are picnic tables all over place and yet most of them are slightly hidden so who ever is picnicking has a bit of privacy. I mean, not like your going to be picnicking in the nude but still! A teensy weensy bit of privacy is always a perk :) 7) There's a huge swimming area that people can take advantage of in the hot summer months however.... it IS downstream so I personally would never get in the water in that area. Since kids don't mind swimming in pee, I'm sure they'd have a ball frolicking in the water :) There you have it peeps! Bidwell park is super amazing because its so super natury. Ok, I'll shut up with the home made words now. Bottom line, take your bike or your running shoes and go enjoy it!

    Aj C.

    This park was breathtaking. Tall trees, green grass, slight wind. Perfect place to jog and do things with friends. Definitely makes you feel like you lived somewhere else and not in California because of the environment. Everyone here is friendly and it makes you feel like you're not an out-of-towner (if you didn't live here) My friend took me here briefly just to check it out so I wasn't able to see most of the park. Would love to come back though!

    One Mile swimming hole in Autumn
    Janel R.

    Bidwell Park is what childhood dreams are made of. I grew up playing in this huge park in the 80s and into my adulthood. Of course in the 80s we didn't have a severe drought and could dive into Big Chico Creek at a spot called the Five Mile. Sycamore Pool (or the One Mile, as us locals call it) is a dammed off swimming hole fed by the creek. It it packed when the weather turns warm and is a wonderful spot to people watch. There are bike trails and walking trails galore as well as a couple children's parks- Hooker Oak and Caper Acres. I recommend the latter park if you are visiting Chico for the first time and want to impress your 5 year old. It's a fairytale themed park surrounded by Oak trees. So if you happen to be in the area in Spring, Summer, or Autumn...pack a picnic lunch and explore.

    Bear hole

    Living in Chico is truly a beautiful experience partially because of Bidwell Park. If you are new to Chico, don't miss out on visiting One Mile, Bear Hole, and Monkey Face. One Mile gets its name because it is a one mile walk from campus. There is an outdoor swimming pool (which I have never swam in because it looks dirty af but people do and love it so you do you), a grassy area to lounge/hammock, many small trails to hike, and a beautiful creek. This is truly a Chico gem. Farther away, in Upper Bidwell, Bear Hole is a water hole with a spot to jump in and places to sit around and tan. It's very ROCKY so bring a blanket/towel to sit on. It's also a bit of a walk from the main parking lot because the gate is often closed so keep that in mind. Also in Upper Bidwell, Monkey Face is the perfect spot to watch a good sunset or sunrise in Chico. It's a very short hike from the parking lot up to a large rock that people climb on, take photos from, and look at the view. Pro tip: Going here after some rain makes the whole place green (which is rare)! If you are feeling adventurous, there are further hikes you can do in Upper Bidwell if you just simply keep walking. Some have waterfalls, rocky landscapes, water holes, etc. A fun place to explore.

    picture opportunity
    Chris G.

    Sweeeet park for kids, hikers, and bikers. This park is huge, and there are many places to enter, or park. It is certainly a piece of property worth exploring. I hear the bike/hiking path is several miles, and takes you though some beautiful areas. I wish I had my bike to truly explore the park. We enjoyed lunch under the canopy of trees in an area made for children - Caper Acres. My kids LOVED the many forts and slides that our area had. It's a large area made with several attractions for the kids. Good news for parents, one way in, and one way out, so you will feel a little less stressed as your kids enjoy all the activities. When in Chico, with our without kids, this park is a cool place to check out.

    One Mile Recreation Area
    Scott P.

    One Mile Recreation area is a great feature of Bidwell Park. Very unique... where else can you wade into a pool fed by a creek? Definitely adds to the local flavor.

    Night cycling at the park

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    4 years ago

    A great walk, beautiful scenery, next to the water. Easy access and parking. Not sure about weekend parking.

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Great coffee, great service and the food is yummy too. I'm so glad they offer dairy free options.

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    4 years ago

    A great place to exercise, enjoy and admire nature, and refuel your soul. Awesome place.

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    10 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Love Bidwell park and all that it has to offer, so many different hiking trails to explore on.

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    3 years ago

    great place safe and relaxing good for hiking biking swimming nature lovers.

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    14 years ago

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Bidwell Park

    Review Highlights - Bidwell Park

    It truly is huge, lower park park is where you'll run into people more downtown, but upper park is more wild.

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    Genetic Resource and Conservation Center - Thistles ? I believe

    Genetic Resource and Conservation Center

    4.1(10 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    This place is gorgeous, and hands down the best dog park ever, but due to the horrible politics we…read moreno longer visit. Its pretty, but rife with bitchy, aggressive small dog owners. I have a young dog who is learning her manners, and is often mistaken for a Pit Bull. Many of the small dog owners were nice and understanding that puppies must make mistakes to learn, but on more than one occasion, we'd had a run in. It got to the point we'd end up getting verbally assulted by the end of each visit. Our dog was a pup and still working out her rude behaviors when we would go. The small dog owners had no tolerance for this, and I had to stop a couple of old Women from taking swings at my dog when she'd go by. It was insane. A couple of times a womn as able to land some kicks to my dog's head. So we don't go back. It makes for a miserable situation for everyone and leads to dog fights becuase they pick up on the negativity. I heard that they opened another dog park on the other side of town. I hope they put in a security guard to moderate the aggressive, fight-picking owners.

    "Today, the Genetic Resource and Conservation Center produces plants for projects such as…read morereforestation, wildfire recovery, watershed restoration, fisheries, riparian habitat for threatened and endangered species, Native American culture values, oak woodland restoration, mine reclamation, campgrounds and interpretive areas, forest health including research and disease resistance, in addition to biological, chemical, and clinical research on anti-cancer drugs derived from plants." I give this place a 2 because of the people who take their dogs to this park. It ISN'T a dog park. They decided to allow visitors to walk your dogs around here, but for fracks sake keep your mutt on a leash. If you want to go to a dog park then go to something that's actually a dog park...Demargio or whatever it's called, but when you go to GRCC remember you are a guest. If you have a dog there freaking pick up it's poops, and KEEP IT ON A LEASE!

    Photos
    Genetic Resource and Conservation Center - It's the trail area I walked

    It's the trail area I walked

    Genetic Resource and Conservation Center - I don't know what this is actually randonautica

    I don't know what this is actually randonautica

    Genetic Resource and Conservation Center - It doesn't look bad here but the person who closed the gate omg... it really hurt my hands jumping

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    It doesn't look bad here but the person who closed the gate omg... it really hurt my hands jumping

    Bidwell Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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