Bidwell Park

Rate this place

Parks

California

Nearby: Fairway Greens Park Garin Regional Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bidwell Park is a sprawling 3,670-acre municipal park located in Chico, California.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It is known as one of the largest municipal parks in the United States and offers visitors a wealth of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and historical significance.

Some good reasons to visit Bidwell Park include its diverse array of natural landscapes, including forests, creeks, canyons, and meadows. The park also offers numerous recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and picnicking. Additionally, Bidwell Park is home to several historic sites, including the Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park and the Chico Creek Nature Center.

Some specific points of interest to see in Bidwell Park include the Upper and Lower Bidwell Park Roads, which offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also explore the park's numerous trails, including the Yahi Trail, which takes hikers through a scenic canyon and past several waterfalls.

Interesting facts about Bidwell Park include that it was founded in 1905 and is named after Annie Bidwell, a prominent local philanthropist. The park is also home to several endangered species, including the foothill yellow-legged frog and the western pond turtle.

The best time of year to visit Bidwell Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's flora and fauna are in full bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers something for visitors in every season, from swimming in the summer to snowshoeing in the winter.

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

Related References