September 30, 2024(Originally published October 27, 2019)
While the hiking season in Butte County is a year-round activity, fall and winter are particularly wonderful seasons for hiking. It’s the perfect time to enjoy hiking inNorthern California: the valley here has mild temperatures, leaves begin to change around late September through the middle of October, and the large amounts of snow that end hiking season in the High Country have yet to arrive. Here are our suggestions for the best seasonal hikes in and around Chico.
Chico
Upper Bidwell Park
A magical place to venture at any time of year, during the winter, the foliage and scenery change through our beloved Upper Bidwell Park makes it an even more special place. Here are some of our favorites.
Yahi Trail: An easy 6.7‑mile “shuttle’ hike that requires two vehicles since the start and end points of the hikes are not at the same location. The hike is along the most sustainable built trails in Upper Park, crosses Big Chico Creek, and offers tremendous views of the canyon, including Iron Canyon Waterfall.
T‑Ford Loop (formerly Big Chico Creek): This is an excellent hike year-round but best when the creek is at lower levels. It’s a moderate 10.5‑mile day hike, which crosses the creek and displays just how magnificent Upper Park is.
Old Homestead: An easy 5.1‑mile hike in Upper Park, it offers beautiful views of Big Chico Creek canyon at any time as well as Lovejoy Falls after significant rains. It also has a newly renovated picnic table where the Simmon’s cabin once stood, conveniently located to have a rest before heading up the steep hill.
Lower Bidwell Park
Lower Bidwell Park features a combination of beautiful native foliage and historical ornamental plantings that absolutely shines in the fall season! There are miles of paved and unpaved trails in Lower Bidwell Park that can be home to your autumn walk or bike ride.
Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve
The Big Chico CreekEcological Reserve (BCCER) in Forest Ranch protects hundreds of plants and many of them put on quite a fall show! Parking is available for day hikes on 14-Mile House Road off of Highway 32 — just 11 miles north of Highway 99 in Chico.
Update August 2024: Due to extensive damage from the Park Fire, the BCCER is CLOSED until further notice.
Oroville Area
Phantom Falls on Table Mountain
The break-taking hike to Phantom Falls is an easy 6.6 mile loop offering views of five waterfalls, which begin to flow just after the first big rain falls around mid-November due to thin soil on top of the Lovejoy Basalt. Because this hike has some cross-country routes, it’s highly recommended to use a reliable map and bring water.
Many Waterfalls Loop on Table Mountain
For those interested in a more challenging hike, the Many Waterfalls Loop offers a challenging day hike. At 11.3 miles, the hike features at least 9 waterfalls and up to 14 if you go a few days after a major rainfall. You’ll also be treated to a view of Beatson Hollow, a spot where Bald Eagles have been spotted.
Feather Falls
Feather Falls is an 8.2‑mile moderate day hike features a 415-foot waterfall and beautiful fall color in November. There is the upper trail which is longer, but wider and smoother; the lower trail is shorter but steeper.
Update October 2020: Due to extensive damage from the North Complex Fire, Feather Falls, the trail, and its surrounding areas ARECLOSEDTHROUGHJULY2025 to hiking, hunting, camping, and fishing due to ongoing recovery efforts. The trail to Feather Falls was badly damaged and is extremely dangerous — anyone who tries to visit/hike the area will be cited.
Paradise Ridge, Durham, and Beyond
Forks of Butte Creek
There are several colorful hiking options in the Bureau of Land Management’s Forks of Butte CreekRecreation Area. Park at the Doe Mill Bridge and you can either hike upstream (easy) or downstream (easy for the first half-mile, then moderate). Either way, you’ll see lush patches of big-leaf maple and Indian rhubarb during the fall season. The Indian Springs trail (moderate) brings you deep into Butte Creek canyon, but not before treating you to a dense canopy of colorful foliage.
Paradise Lake
The walk along Paradise Lake is easy and relaxing. You’ll be sure to notice the yellow and caramel leaves of the black oak trees as you stroll along.
Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
The Gray LodgeWildlife Areain Gridley features an easy 2.4 mile stroll that features splashes of color as well as migratory birds and mammals. This area becomes heavily populated with birds as early as mid-October and ends with the Northern migration that happens around early spring. When the birds begin to migrate, the nice leisurely stroll around Gray Lodge becomes a place where you can admire over 300 species of migratory animals, such as snow geese, pelicans, ducks, and cranes.
Jonesville Canyon
A short 3.8 mile hike, Jonesville Canyon features the headwaters of Butte Creek and a small Aspen grove. It’s the lowest in elevation of our High Country hikes and often is inaccessible after significant snowfall in late October.