Chico Outdoor Adventurer
June 12, 2024 (Originally published June 24, 2019)
The City of Chico’s Bidwell Park has the best urban swimming holes in California. Bold statement, but come find out for yourself and steep yourself in more than just cool water. From the rugged Sierra Nevada foothills to Downtown Chico, Big Chico Creek runs through the city and is lined with ecological treasures, curious history, and awe-inspiring vistas, which you can experience at any of its natural swimming holes throughout thepark.
From easy to challenging, here are the most popular swimming holes in BidwellPark.
Trip Tips
1. Bring water, sunscreen, and towels
2. Wear sturdy water shoes; flip-flops are no match for basalt rock and raging waters
3. While the water is wet, the park is dry, so leave the alcohol athome
4. Make sure to #RecreateResponsibly and follow Leave No Trace principles as you explore.
5. Respect the wildlife. Big Chico Creek is one of the few tributaries of the Sacramento River that is spawning grounds for federally protected salmon, so don’t disturb the deeper, cooler waters they call home (or pick adifferent spot to swim if you see any) and know the regulations before yougo.
Sycamore Pool
Located just amile upstream from Downtown Chico, Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area is the most accessible swimming destination on Big Chico Creek. This expansive living pool, where the creek continuously flows through a1920s-era concrete basin, is surrounded by Lower Bidwell Park’s idyllic tree canopy and grassy fields. No matter how hot it gets in Chico, the ever-flowing creek will be sure to cool you off. At the heart of Lower Park, Sycamore Pool is surrounded by amenities and destinations for the whole family including the Caper Acres playground, the Chico Creek Nature Center, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, restrooms, water fountains, and asnack shop.
Lifeguards are generally on-duty daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day, except for Thursdays when the pool is drained and cleaned, subject to staffing. Please check the current year’s staffed hours before visiting.
Five Mile RecreationArea
Five Mile Recreation Area in Middle Bidwell Park is atransitional area between the urban atmosphere of Lower Park and the more rugged Upper Park. This is where Big Chico Creek exits the Sierra/Cascade Foothills and enters the Sacramento Valley. Being wider, shallower, and calmer than swimming areas further upstream, Five Mile is awonderful place for families to splash around while remaining close to restrooms and picnic areas. It’s abeautiful area too, with apicturesque pedestrian bridge and amature riparian woodland providing lots of shade. Visitors to Five Mile are also within walking distance to Hooker Oak Park, complete with two playgrounds and ball fields.
AlligatorHole
The first designated swimming hole in Upper Bidwell Park, Alligator Hole is rather tame, especially in the summer when Big Chico Creek’s flow relaxes, making it apleasant stop along the pedestrian-only Yahi Trail. Its shallow waters and location, only three-quarters of amile from the Horseshoe Lake parking area (Lot E), also make it agreat destination for young hikers. It’s also anice spot to cool off one last time after along hike. There’s asmall gravel beach with nice views of the beginning of Upper Park’s South Rim.
Day Camp
The former Day Camp location along Big Chico Creek (still called Day Camp on the Upper Bidwell Park map) is one of the easier swimming holes to access. Asunny sand and pebble beach is just several steps away from Parking Lot H, and the Yahi Trail passes right by it. Day Camp is just alittle over amile away from the Horseshoe Lake parking area (Lot E) if you want to take awalk along the Yahi Trail or bike Upper Park Road. This swimming hole includes arestroom at the parkingarea.
Even though the camp isn’t there anymore, you can still splash around the Day Camp swimming hole and feel like akid all overagain!
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Share Your ShotBear Hole and DiversionDam
Bear Hole is easy to find from Alligator Hole: about amile upstream along the Yahi Trail, you’ll notice that the trail starts following an old concrete ditch structure. You’ll also notice that Big Chico Creek begins cutting through ajumble of shiny black volcanic basalt (the Lovejoy Formation). This is how you know you’ve made it to Bear Hole. If Upper Park Road is open past Horseshoe Lake (Tuesday through Saturday with good weather), you can park at Lot Kor L. It’s also pretty easy to find your way to Bear Hole from Upper Park’s Middle Trail or LowerTrail.
Once you’re there, you’ll find out why Bear Hole is one of the most talked about features of Bidwell Park. Deep, sparkling pools connected by rushing chutes of water are surrounded by anatural rocky playground. The smooth basalt drenched in full sun is also agreat spot to catch some rays. Just upstream of Bear Hole is the old diversion dam where additional pools can be found. Note that water currents in this area can be strong, especially in the winter and spring. Stay safe during yourvisit!
Salmon Hole
Further into Upper Bidwell Park, Salmon Hole offers one of the most scenic swimming experiences in the area. You’ll need to work harder to get there as it’s over ahalf mile away from the Diversion Dam parking lot (Lot L) along the Yahi Trail. With Upper Park Road closed on Sundays and Mondays past the Horseshoe Lake parking lot (Lot E), it takes alittle under two and ahalf miles to hike or bike in via Upper Park Road. The final approach down into Salmon Hole is also steeper and more rugged than the previous swimming destinations. Those that make it will be rewarded with one of the largest natural pools on Big Chico Creek and many enjoyable side-pools. Salmon Hole, surrounded by groves of oak and steep cliffs, also offers ample shade. You might even see some rock climbers taking on the steep rock walls nearby.
Brown’s Hole
Brown’s Hole is the most remote designated swimming hole in Bidwell Park. Those who find their way here will enjoy more solitude and an almost wilderness setting. Two long and slender pools are surrounded by thick stands of oak and other riparian plants. Upstream of the small waterfall above Brown’s Hole is anice gravel beach next to asmaller swimming area. Brown’s Hole is alittle under two miles from the Diversion Dam (Lot L) along the Yahi Trail, and three and ahalf miles from Horseshoe Lake (Lot E) along Upper Park Road. Aspur trail is available from the old parking area (LotS).
Directions
Drive about 85miles north from Sacramento or 70miles south from Redding on Highway 99 to Chico. Sycamore Pool and One Mile are accessible by exiting west onto Highway 32, turning right onto Cypress Avenue, and heading into Bidwell Park at the five-way intersection. The Five Mile Recreation Area is accessible by exiting east onto Highway 32, turning left onto Bruce Road, and turning right onto Centennial Avenue. Exiting east onto East Avenue from Highway 99 will lead you to Upper ParkRoad.