Posts in category: Chico Things To Do

If the heat’s got you beat, or you just need the exercise, it’s time to take a dip in a swimming hole or pool.

In 1904, some Chico residents deeded land to the USDA Agricultural Research Service.  That was the beginning of the Plant Introduction Center where plants from all over the world were tried to see if they would grow here.

This park offers 243 acres of hiking, scenery, and activities. Fishing, boating, picnicking, wildlife watching, canoeing, rafting, kayaking, and inner-tubing
can all be enjoyed.

The park includes many areas. Big Chico Creek Riparian Area is known for its shad and salmon fishing, and is popular with birdwatchers, who enjoy great blue herons, egrets, hawks, ducks, and swallows, and with families, who enjoy a day on the beach.

Irvine Finch River Access Area has a launch ramp, a 295-space parking lot for boat trailers, six enroute-style campsites for overnight RV camping, restrooms, and is the most popular place to begin a river-floating experience.

Pine Creek day-use area has a large boat launch and parking lot.

Indian Fishery day-use area features eight picnic sites and a 3/4-mile self-guided nature trail (great place to see pipevine swallowtail butterflies).

The many picnic spots make this park an excellent spot for family reunions.

Bidwell-Sac. River State Park
12105 River Road
Phone: (530) 342-5185
E-mail: [email protected]

If you’ve done all you care to do in Chico and are headed out of town, we suggest that you head south about six miles to Durham.

Built in 1894, the Honey Run Covered Bridge is the only three-level covered bridge in the nation, and it’s one of the few covered bridges left in California. All visitors should see it if they’re in the area, and it seems like they must because all the picnic tables were taken when we were there. It’s also a great spot to go wading or swimming in the creek. Last one in’s a hot tamale!

A left turn at the bridge puts you on Centerville Road and on your way to some other gems. You’ll discover the charming 1894 Centerville School and the adjoining museum. Colman Museum houses local Indian artifacts, including a beautiful basket collection, late 1800’s mining equipment, including gold scales and ledgers from the many general stores, tools, and relics of the Civil War era. There’s also a display on the Centerville Powerhouse, the oldest in California. The old Centerville Cemetery is known for its historic headstones.

The drive is nice since it offers a view of Butte Creek Canyon from the other side of the creek. The road turns to gravel, and about a mile past Centerville, it crosses a PG&E flume, popular for jogging and walking.

Honey Run Covered Bridge
1670 Honey Run Rd.
Five miles east of Chico, Take the Skyway, turn left on Honey Run Rd.
To Reserve: (530) 895-1243
Visit Them

Colman (Centerville) Memorial Community Museum
13548 Centerville Rd.
(530) 893-9667
Hrs: 1-4 Weekends
E-mail: [email protected]