Chico

Chico, California, United States

Enjoy an adventure with tubing, boating, and fishing on Butte County’s share of the Sacramento River, one of the best places in California. This share of the Sacramento River has some of the best river recreation in all of California, just a few hours from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento.

These twists and turns are home to legendary tubing adventures and spectacular boating and fishing opportunities. Nature lovers will appreciate the hundreds of acres of protected riparian habitat that help keep Butte County’s stretch of the Sacramento River naturally stunning.

Irvine Finch River Access Rd
Chico, CA

There are several gravel bars downstream where you and your friends can relax on smooth river cobble. Those with fishing gear can try and catch salmon, steelhead trout, shad, or sturgeon. Easy to find right on the west side of the Highway 32 bridge, fees are $6 per vehicle and $5 per motorized boat.

12609 River Rd
Chico, CA

Those three river miles will take about 1.5-2 hours to float. At Pine Creek, there is an access and take-out spot for tubes and non-motorized boats right where Pine Creek empties into the Sacramento River. Travel up Pine Creek to find Scotty’s Landing. About a half of a mile up Pine Creek through a dense riparian woodland is the Pine Creek Boat Launch with access for motorized boats. Parking is available at several points along River Road.

Chico, CA

You can also launch a non-motorized vessel into Big Chico Creek on the east side. The Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park brochure includes helpful information on how to stay safe while floating or boating the Sacramento River.

For those who want a longer boating excursion, it’s about 15 river miles south to the Ord Bend Park Boat Launch and 19 river miles north to the Woodson Bridge State Recreation Area from Irvine Finch. In these remote areas, you'll find gorgeous river habitat, a huge diversity of birds and mammals, and secluded boat-in only access points. Look for visible signs from the river of certain some refuge and wildlife area units.

The Pine Creek Unit of the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge is just half a mile east of the Highway 32 bridge and has two miles of walking paths in a newly restored magnet for migratory birds and local wildlife. Bidwell-Sacramento River State Park’s Pine Creek, Indian Fishery, and Big Chico Creek day-use areas all have picnic tables, barbecues, and restrooms under a canopy of mature riparian trees. Wash-Out Beach is one of the best locations in the area to splash around or cast a line right on the river’s edge.

Enjoy tubing, boating, and fishing adventures on Butte County’s share of the Sacramento River, one of the best outdoor attractions in California.