5 Winter Hikes in Chico, California

Fewer crowds, rushing creeks, cooler temps, and emerald green hills make winter hiking in Chico a treat. When the foothills shift mossy green and the skies turn bright blue, these five local trails really come alive.

While you explore, please practice Leave No Trace, respect our local ecology, and check trail status to avoid damaging the park during mud season.

Together we can keep these trails beautiful for everyone.

Old Homestead

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 5.1 miles
Trailhead →
Best for: Lovejoy Falls after rain and picnic stops

This Upper Park trail offers beautiful views of the Big Chico Creek canyon year-round, but it is especially magical after significant rains when Lovejoy Falls begins to flow.

JUAN CORTEZ

Annie Bidwell Trail

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Distance: 8.8 miles out and back
Trailhead→
Best for: Seasonal waterfalls and canyon views

Winter is when this canyon shines. As you move through oak woodlands, keep an eye out for basalt cliffs, flowing creeks, and pockets of seasonal waterfalls that appear after storms. Mushrooms and fresh green growth add to the experience during wetter months.

North Rim Trail

Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Length & Type: 8.4 mile out and back
Where To Park→
Best for: Winter greenery, canyon views, and a quieter hike

One of the longest trails in Upper Bidwell Park and a gateway to a variety of different loop options, North Rim Trail is a worthwhile trail on its own. It runs along the north side of Big Chico Creek Canyon and is one of the best winter hikes in Upper Bidwell Park.

The trail stays greener and more sheltered than South Rim, with rolling grassy hills, mossy oaks, and soft canyon views that shine after rain.

Yahi Trail

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Distance: 7.9 miles out and back
Where To Park→
Best for: Rushing water and winter wildlife

This pedestrian only trail follows Big Chico Creek closely. In winter, the creek shifts from a gentle summer stream to a rushing river, filling the canyon with sound and movement. The smell of wet earth, mossy rocks, and flowing water makes this one of the most immersive winter hikes in the park.

It’s also one of the best times to spot wildlife like river otters or kingfishers near Bear Hole.

@noreliac

Peregrine Point Trail 

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4.7 mile loop
Trailhead→
Best for: Birding, wide open views, and winter greenery

A scenic loop with rolling green hills in winter and great birding year round. In wetter months, you might spot small hidden grottos with little waterfalls. The trail is rocky in places and best for confident hikers.

@noreliac

Insider Tip: Fungi Spotting

Winter brings mushroom fever to Chico’s trails. Damp oak woodlands create the perfect conditions for fungi to thrive.

Look for bright orange Witch’s Butter on fallen oak branches and the striped shelves of Turkey Tail, especially along the Yahi Trail.

Look, don’t touch. Many fungi are beautiful but toxic, so stick to photography.

Chico Ecology Society offers guided mushroom and native wildlife hikes throughout the season. Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming walks.

Know Before You Go

• Stay on the trail: Even when it’s muddy, stick to the path. Stepping around puddles causes erosion and damages sensitive winter habitat.
• Watch for mud: Chico mud is notoriously sticky. If it rained within the last 24 hours, rockier trails like South Rim tend to be a better option.
• Check trail closures: Visit the Bidwell Park website or call the trail closure hotline at 530-896-7899. Closure signs are also posted at entrance roads and parking areas.
• Trail map: Print or save the Upper Bidwell Park trail map before you go. Cell service can be limited in the canyon.

With mild winter weather and trails at their greenest, it’s a great time to turn a hike into a weekend escape.

Find places to stay in Chico and start planning your winter hikes.