Bidwell Park

Bidwell Park is a municipal park in Chico that spans roughly 3,670 acres and extends nearly 11 miles through the area. The grounds include flat sections and foothills of the Sierra Nevada with forests, creeks, and various recreation zones.

Annie Bidwell donated roughly 2,500 acres in 1905 to establish this park. Subsequent land acquisitions over the following decades expanded the park grounds.

The Chico Creek Nature Center has served as an educational hub since the mid-1970s, offering programs about local wildlife and environmental conservation. Visitors today can participate in activities that deepen their connection to the region's ecology.

The park offers multiple activities including hiking, mountain biking, swimming at Sycamore Pool, disc golf, and horseback riding on marked trails. The best time to visit is late spring or fall when weather is mild and paths are most accessible.

Upper Park contains distinctive rock formations like Chico Formation sandstone and Lovejoy Basalt that are visible along trails. These geological layers reveal the area's ancient landscape history to observant visitors.

Location: California

GPS coordinates: 39.76990,-121.77900

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:30