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Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park includes five small day-use areas along rivers or creeks (see below for more in depth descriptions). The main activity to be enjoyed at the park is bank or boat fishing for salmon, steelhead and shad. The next popular activity is floating down the river on inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks.
This park preserves a fine example of a disappearing natural resource - the riverine habitat. The river's various landscapes display great scenic beauty and constant change. The riparian plant and animal communities here depend strongly on each other. Massive oaks and cottonwoods give the dense shade needed for the survival of cool-water creatures. Thick understories of elderberry, wild grape, blackberry, wild rose and numerous perennials provide shelter to a diversified wildlife population. The park offers a great setting for observing and learning about the riparian community.
Camping
Irvine Finch River Access offers 5 campsites. There are no fire rings but barbeque pits are in each site.
Irvine Finch River Access offers 5 campsites. There are no fire rings but barbeque pits are in each site.
Park Day-Use Areas
Indian Fishery Day-Use Area
Indian Fishery is a 100 acre area that includes an ox bow lake surrounded by a beautiful oak woodland. This is a wonderful area to picnic, bird watch, fish, hike on the .5 mile nature trail or simply enjoy the wildlife that abounds in the ox bow lake. It is common to observe river otters darting through the water, turtles basking on a fallen tree or herons stalking a meal. Visit Indian Fishery and enjoy the grandeur of massive oaks and the rapidly disappearing river habitat.
Big Chico Creek Day-Use Area
This 96 acre area of the park is characterized by lush river habitat that opens up to a large gravel bar that fronts the Sacramento River. Here park visitors hike the looping nature trails and utilize the car-top boat ramp to kayak on Mud Creek and Big Chico Creek. On the Sacramento River visitors can fish, swim, jet-ski, water-ski and sun bathe on the gravel bar. This is also the location where many river rafts and tubes exit the river.
Pine Creek Launching Facility
The 5-acre Pine Creek launch area is a popular location for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking and bird and wildlife watching. Those entering Pine Creek with a canoe or kayak can get a close look at some of the last vestiges of riparian habitat. Pine Creek is a tributary of the Sacramento River.
Irvine Finch River Access
This 25-acre parking lot and launch ramp and camping area affords the park visitor an easy way to access the Sacramento River for boating, kayaking, canoeing or floating down the river on inner tubes.
Sacramento River Access at Pine Creek
This 41-acre area is currently in restoration and development process. It will soon become a location where visitors can park, walk the nature trails, and have a safe exit after a float down the river. This area will have various ADA compliant facilities such as parking, restroom access, and picnic sites.
Indian Fishery Day-Use Area
Indian Fishery is a 100 acre area that includes an ox bow lake surrounded by a beautiful oak woodland. This is a wonderful area to picnic, bird watch, fish, hike on the .5 mile nature trail or simply enjoy the wildlife that abounds in the ox bow lake. It is common to observe river otters darting through the water, turtles basking on a fallen tree or herons stalking a meal. Visit Indian Fishery and enjoy the grandeur of massive oaks and the rapidly disappearing river habitat.
Big Chico Creek Day-Use Area
This 96 acre area of the park is characterized by lush river habitat that opens up to a large gravel bar that fronts the Sacramento River. Here park visitors hike the looping nature trails and utilize the car-top boat ramp to kayak on Mud Creek and Big Chico Creek. On the Sacramento River visitors can fish, swim, jet-ski, water-ski and sun bathe on the gravel bar. This is also the location where many river rafts and tubes exit the river.
Pine Creek Launching Facility
The 5-acre Pine Creek launch area is a popular location for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, picnicking and bird and wildlife watching. Those entering Pine Creek with a canoe or kayak can get a close look at some of the last vestiges of riparian habitat. Pine Creek is a tributary of the Sacramento River.
Irvine Finch River Access
This 25-acre parking lot and launch ramp and camping area affords the park visitor an easy way to access the Sacramento River for boating, kayaking, canoeing or floating down the river on inner tubes.
Sacramento River Access at Pine Creek
This 41-acre area is currently in restoration and development process. It will soon become a location where visitors can park, walk the nature trails, and have a safe exit after a float down the river. This area will have various ADA compliant facilities such as parking, restroom access, and picnic sites.
Getting There
From Chico, take West Sacramento Ave. 5 miles until it intersects with River Road. Big Chico Creek is to the left, Indian Fishery straight ahead and Pine Creek is to the right. Irvine Finch River Access is located just west of the Hwy. 32 Sacramento River Bridge.
From I-5 take the Highway 32 exit at Orland. Irvine Finch River Access is just East of Hamilton City. To access the rest of the park proceed East on Highway 32 and turn right on River Road.
Latitude/Longitude: 39.7419 / -121.9176
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
From Chico, take West Sacramento Ave. 5 miles until it intersects with River Road. Big Chico Creek is to the left, Indian Fishery straight ahead and Pine Creek is to the right. Irvine Finch River Access is located just west of the Hwy. 32 Sacramento River Bridge.
From I-5 take the Highway 32 exit at Orland. Irvine Finch River Access is just East of Hamilton City. To access the rest of the park proceed East on Highway 32 and turn right on River Road.
Latitude/Longitude: 39.7419 / -121.9176
The Day Use Annual Pass is accepted at this park.
Seasons/Climate/Recommended Clothing
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised.
Operating Hours & Contact
The park is open for day-use only.
Telephone: 530-342-5185
The park is open for day-use only.
Telephone: 530-342-5185
Accessible Features
Trails: The Indian Fishery Nature Trail is a marsh trail on compacted native soil that leads to a fishing area. It is accessible for 0.50 mile. Signed trailhead and parking are located off River Park Road.
Be the first to add a trip in this destination!Trails: The Indian Fishery Nature Trail is a marsh trail on compacted native soil that leads to a fishing area. It is accessible for 0.50 mile. Signed trailhead and parking are located off River Park Road.
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