Upper Bidwell Park

Upper Bidwell Park is where Chico gets a little wild. Stretching east into the foothills, it feels like a different world from the lawns and paved paths of Lower Park. Here, Big Chico Creek carves through steep canyon walls, iron basalt cliffs rise out of nowhere, and the valley opens up behind you the higher you climb.

This is where locals go when they want to earn the view. Mountain bikers flying down dusty trails, hikers chasing sunset light, trail runners weaving through oak and manzanita. On hot days, you will find people gathered at Bear Hole, cooling off in one of Chico’s most iconic swimming spots.

Upper Park is rugged, dramatic, and a little quieter. It is where you start to understand how close Chico sits to true open space. Ten minutes from downtown, and suddenly you are standing on volcanic rock looking out over the valley.