Five Mile Recreation Area

The Five Mile Recre­ation Area is a pop­u­lar spot for large group gath­er­ings, pic­nics, and sum­mer swim­ming in Chico’s Bid­well Park.

The park offers plen­ty of open green space, pic­nic tables, and bar­be­cues avail­able on a first-come, first-served basis.

Kid-Friend­ly Swim­ming Hole

Locat­ed along Big Chico Creek, Five Mile is a favorite des­ti­na­tion for fam­i­lies with small chil­dren due to the shal­low, calm waters that make for a safe and easy place to cool off in a swim­ming hole.

Five Mile East Pic­nic Site

For orga­nized events, the Five Mile East site can be reserved on the south­east end of the park, just a short walk from the creek. This site accom­mo­dates up to 50 peo­ple across sev­en pic­nic tables and includes:

• Cook­ing Equip­ment: Four small BBQs and one large event BBQ (which requires a key from the park depart­ment to access).
• Ameni­ties: A food prepa­ra­tion table, a drink­ing foun­tain, and near­by restrooms.