Home › California › Chico › Lower Bidwell Park
Lower Bidwell Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 315 Google reviews · Running trail in Chico, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Lower Bidwell Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Serene park with lots of tree-shaded paths for walking & biking, plus picnic sites & a playground.
What runners say about Lower Bidwell Park
“Bathrooms are clean and stocked; drinking fountains are clean, too.”
“It's a beautiful day today and as the sun is beginning it's slow descent the bright and warm colors of summer, the sound of the creek rushing by me.”
“This is my favorite place in the world to run, featuring shady trails, knee-friendly dirt, and the gorgeous creek.”
Such a beautiful park with tons of shaded areas and space for the family. During the summer they have lifeguards. There is a snack bar, restrooms for you to rinse off, a nice creek next to the pool and a toddler area (water is very low for kiddos to enjoy 🥰).
It made me want to move there! And we were just at one spot of the 11 mile journey!! Loved it.people were way nicer than in my hometown.much love and respect for the area!!
Lower Bidwall Park is a beautiful, large park! There are both dirt and paved trails to walk or ride your bike on. Chico Creek runs down the middle of the park and there are multiple places with access to the creek for water play. There is parking in the park and on the streets on both sides of the park.
This is my favorite place in the world to run, featuring shady trails, knee-friendly dirt, and the gorgeous creek. Bathrooms are clean and stocked; drinking fountains are clean, too. Volunteer "Park Watch" walk the trails with their dogs, keeping our community safe. A+ park!
Trail conditions & character
“Dogs are allowed to be off-leash during certain hours, and cars are not allowed after sunset.”
“It's a beautiful day today and as the sun is beginning it's slow descent the bright and warm colors of summer, the sound of the creek rushing by me.”
“There is a snack bar, restrooms for you to rinse off, a nice creek next to the pool and a toddler area (water is very low for kiddos to enjoy 🥰).”
“This is my favorite place in the world to run, featuring shady trails, knee-friendly dirt, and the gorgeous creek.”
“Plenty of picnic tables and you have a park next to it plus plenty of hiking and paved trails”
“There is parking in the park and on the streets on both sides of the park.”
“Bathrooms are clean and stocked; drinking fountains are clean, too.”
Plan your run at Lower Bidwell Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitechico.ca.us
- Phone+1 530-896-7800
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 7:30 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 7:30 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 7:30 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 7:30 am–9 pm |
Running trails near Chico
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Bidwell Park One-Mile
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,433 reviews
Popular for its swimming creek, this park also offers a playground, athletic field & picnic space.
Lower Bidwell Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 463 reviews
Family-friendly venue with barbecue and picnic facilities, a year-round stream, and a playground, plus bike and walking paths.
Chico Creek Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 32 reviews
Comanche Creek Greenway
3.7 ★★★★☆ 105 reviews
Park with picnic tables and a trail, plus some users reporting a homeless population.
Hooker Oak Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 736 reviews
Recreational park featuring baseball/softball fields, horseshoe pits, a playground & picnic areas.
Baroni Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 139 reviews
Well-kept neighborhood park featuring playgrounds, grassy lawns and a basketball court.