Bidwell Park

The park is the best place to go in Chico! In the Summer there are swimming spots all over the park. There are things to do there all seasons. There are mountain biking trails, hiking trails, horse trails, an unofficial disc golf course, rope swings into the water, lava basalt rocks, repelling spots, rock climbing cliffs, a nature center, biking and jogging clubs, the Yahi trail, etc....

My favorite swimming spots are in upper park. To get to upper park turn onto Wildwood ave from Manzanita, and then keep driving until the road turns into a dirt road. Once on the dirt road you are in upper park. Here is a map that shows how to get there. http://www.friendsofbidwellpark.org/gmap.html?upper_park_entrance



Information from the Official Bidwell park Website:

"The 3,618-acre municipal park encompasses both sides of Big Chico Creek Canyon for a full five miles up into the foothills, making it a truly spectacular retreat. There's really no park like it anywhere." (Park)


"Destinations In Lower Park

* Chico Area Recreation District (CARD) center (on Vallombrosia Ave.) Map
* Horseshoe pits (enter at East 4th St & Pine St. gate)
* Sycamore Swimming Pool (enter from Vallombrosa Way at Vallombrosa Ave.) Map
* One Mile Recreation Area Map
* Sycamore playing fields (enter from Woodland between Alder & Sycamore) Map
* Group picnic area (enter from Woodland between Alder & Sycamore)
* Caper Acres Playground (enter from Woodland between Alder & Sycamore) Map
* Campfire Council Ring (enter from Woodland between Alder & Sycamore) Map
* Cedar Grove picnic and event areas (enter from East 8th St. at Kern) Map
* World of Trees Independence Trail (starts at Cedar Grove parking lot)
* Chico Creek Nature Center (enter from East 8th St.) Map
* Deer pen (on East 8th St. at Forest Ave.)
* Picnic sites 1-17 on the south side of the creek (sites 2-5 and 15-17 not accessible by vehicle)
* Picnic sites 20-40 on the north side of the creek (enter from Vallombrosa at Petersen Dr.)

Destinations In Upper Park

* Picnic site 19 (enter from Centennial Ave. east of Manzanita )
* Five Mile Recreation Area (enter from either Centennial or Upper Park Road) Map
* Hooker Oak Recreation Area (enter from Manzanita just north of Big Chico Creek) Map
* Horse Arena (on Arena Way off Wildwood Ave. near Manzanita) Map
* Sycamore Creek Bypass (at bridge on Wildwood)
* Lindo Channel Diversion Dam (enter from road to Five Mile Recreation Area on Upper Park Road)
* Easter Cross (parking area B) Map
* Bidwell Municipal Golf Course (across from parking area C) Map
* Chico Observatory (parking area C) Map
* Horseshoe Lake (parking area C) Map
* Chico Rod & Gun Club (parking area D)
* Monkey Face (parking area E)
* Alligator Hole (parking area G) Map
* Day Camp (parking Area H) Map
* Bear Hole (parking area K) Map
* Diversion Dam (parking area L) Map
* Salmon Hole (parking area N) Map
* Brown's Hole (parking area S) Map
* Trailheads for major north side trails--Yahi, Lower, Middle, and Upper
* Parking areas A-U along Upper Park Road

The unofficial disc golf course and Ten Mile House Road are also in Upper Park, but access is via Hwy 32 rather than a Chico surface street. Wildwood Park Map, with soccer fields, a group picnic area and children's play equipment is on the road leading into Upper Park. Bidwell Ranch Map is also on Wildwood, on the east side of the Sycamore Bypass bridge." (Directions)



Works Cited

Directions Bidwell Park Facilities http://www.friendsofbidwellpark.org/directions.html accessed on April 14, 2008.

Park Overview http://www.bidwellpark.org/page/explore-bidwell-park/park-overview.php accessed on April 14, 2008.