page_title: Bidwell Park
section_title: Points of interest
hierarchical_section_title: Bidwell Park / Points of interest
caption_attribution_description: English: Big Chico Creek in Upper Bidwell Park. Chico, CA
context_page_description: Bidwell Park is a municipal park located in Chico, California. The park was established July 10, 1905, through the donation by Annie Bidwell of approximately 2,500 acres of land to the City of Chico. Since that time, the city has purchased additional land, such as Cedar Grove in 1922, and 1,200 acres of land south of Big Chico Creek in upper Bidwell Park in 1995. Today, the total Park size is 3,670 acres, nearly 11 miles in length, making it the third largest municipal park in California and is one of the largest city parks in the United States.
  Bidwell Park is "divided" by Manzanita Avenue. The area west of Manzanita Avenue is referred to as Lower Park and the area to the east is referred to as Middle and Upper Park. Middle Park extends from Manzanita to a point roughly equal to the upstream edge of the Chico Municipal Golf Course. The noticeable difference between Upper/Middle and Lower Park is the terrain. Upper Park is located in the foothills of the southernmost Cascades. It has steep terrain and shallow soils, and contains many rock formations, including the unique Chico Formation sandstone, Lovejoy Basalt, and Tuscan Formation rocks.
context_section_description: Sycamore Pool, located in the One Mile Recreation Area.  The pool was constructed in the late 1920s and provides a unique swimming experience because its concrete decks, walls, and bottom are built to contain Big Chico Creek as it flows through the park. A dam and fish ladder at one end allow control of the creek's flow. The dam is raised and lifeguards are present from Memorial Day to Labor Day of each year.  Above the fish ladder there is a bridge that separates the pool and the creek, from which many locals feed sucker fish in the bottom of the fish ladder. Locals often refer to Sycamore Pool simply as One Mile.
  Caper Acres playground is also located in the One Mile Recreation Area.  Originally constructed in the 1950s, the playground provides a fairy tale-themed location for children to play in.  Many play attractions in the playground were destroyed by a storm in 1995, but were rebuilt by members of the community.  Adult visitors to the playground must be accompanied by a child 13 years of age or younger.
  Cedar Grove is home to the 2nd tree experimentation farm in the U.S.  Trees from around the world were planted in the grove by John Bidwell in 1888.
  Five Mile, located near Manzanita Avenue in the upper park area, is a manicured park and picnic area. A flood control dam makes the water deep enough for swimming in the spring and summer.  During times of high water, part of the flow of Big Chico Creek is diverted into the Diversion Channel which flows into Lindo Channel, on the north side of town.
  The Hooker Oak was a large Valley Oak which grew along Manzanita Avenue north of Big Chico Creek near the Five Mile recreation area. Investigation of the 'tree' upon its death revealed that it was actually two trees that had grown together.
  Horseshoe Lake, located in upper Bidwell Park, was constructed in the 1930s as a reservoir in which to irrigate the Bidwell Municipal Golf Course, located across Upper Park Road from the lake.  The land around the lake was the site of several shooting ranges.  One was used by the California National Guard and later, during World War II, the U.S. Army.  A concrete bunker used for military target practice still remains next to the lake today.  The other two ranges were used by civilians to shoot rifles and shotguns (skeet).  All remnants of the shooting ranges (with exception of the military bunker) were removed in 2005 as part of a lead and skeet removal project.  The lake is also the site of the annual "Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs" fishing derby for children.
  Monkey Face is a rock formation that was so named because it resembles a semi profile of a monkey head. It faces west over parking area E and Horseshoe Lake. The best place to start is from parking area E.  As of Jan. 2013, major efforts are being made by the Park Dept. to mitigate erosion damage from multiple trails.  Park users can respect the environment by using the trails designated.
  Alligator Hole is a shallow swimming hole in upper Bidwell Park near an area used by the Boy Scouts of America for campouts and other gatherings, between Horseshoe Lake and Bear Hole.  Refrain from creating rock dams in the area, which are prevalent in the creek, but impede upon the movement of the salmon runs.
  Bear Hole, located in upper Bidwell Park beyond Horseshoe Lake, is a part of the creek that is frequently used for swimming and diving. The water is deep during the spring and summer and rocks on both sides are used for sunbathing. However, the currents in the area have a reputation for being dangerously unpredictable and have at times been fatal. In 1998 there were 4 drowning deaths within months. Bear Hole has a dirt and gravel parking area and a short trail.
  Diversion Dam, located just upstream from Bear Hole, is so named because it diverted some of the water from Big Chico Creek into a flume for use by the city.  Remains of the flume can be seen along the banks of Big Chico Creek downstream of Bear Hole, and just upstream of Alligator Hole the flume track leaves the main creek channel and continues across the open area north of the c
caption: Upper Bidwell Park.
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