Looking for the perfect spot in Chico to help your kids stay cool? If you're unsure where to go, we've got you covered! Check out our favorite pools, splash pads, creeks, and water parks in and around Chico, all ideal for cooling off on those scorching summer days.

We advise always checking with the venue when possible before heading out, as hours and availability can change due to various factors, ranging from weather to staffing issues.

Public Pools in Chico

Pleasant Valley Pool

Summer Season: June 9th - August 16th

Address: 2320 North Avenue, next to Bidwell Jr. High

Website: https://www.chicorec.gov/pleasant-valley-pool

Amenities: 25 yard pool (3 1/2 - 5 ft deep), Wading pool (2 ft deep), restrooms, showers, benches, picnic area & tables.

Rates

• Rec & Family Swim: General admission - $4, Seniors/Military - $3, Children 2 years and under - Free!, Friday Teen Swim - $5
• Lap Swim: General admission - $3, Seniors/Military - $2
• Summer Swim Passes: Individual: $50, Family Pass (up to 6) - $150, Additional family member - $25
  • valid for the summer season only. Guarantees admission for lap swim, rec swim, family swim, and movie nights.
  • Cannot be used for swim lessons, teen swim, or other aquatic programs.
• Rentals are for 2 hours, available June 8-Aug 31, Fridays 5-7 pm, Saturdays 10 am - 12 pm and 5 pm - 7 pm, Sundays 10 am - 12 pm, 1 pm - 3 pm, 4 pm - 6 pm. Must be scheduled 2 weeks in advance.
  • 1-30 people: $350
  • 31-75 people: $400
  • 76-100 people: $500
  • additional hour: $115 each if available

Schedule

9:20 - 11:50 am - AM swim lessons
12:00 - 12:50 pm - Lap Swim
1:00 - 3:45 pm - Rec Swim
4:00 - 6:30 pm - PM swim lessons
6:30 - 8:30 pm - Family Swim (Monday - Thursday)
7:00 - 10:00 pm - Movie Nights - June 

7: Twisters, July 5: Moana 2
CLOSED July 4th

^{City of Chico}

***UPDATE: "NO SWIMMING" ADVISORY AT SYCAMORE POOL DUE TO HIGH LEVELS OF BACTERIA***

Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area

Address: Vallombrosa Way (off Vallombrosa Ave at Arbutus Ave)

Lifeguard Season: June 8th - August 18th, plus 8/23 & 24, 8/30 - 9/1

Hours: Friday-Wednesday 1-7 pm, CLOSED on Thursdays for cleaning.

Sycamore Pool is such a unique feature of Chico and Lower Bidwell Park! One of the first things I remember about moving here is being mystified by this creek+pool hybrid. I'll let the map above and image below speak for themselves!

^{CARD Website}

Splash pads & fountains in Chico

^{CARD Website}

Chapman Park 

• Location: 775 E 16th Street, adjacent to the Dorothy F. Johnson Center in the Chapman neighborhood.
• Hours: 9:30 am - dusk, every day through Labor Day Weekend.
• Details: "The splash pad at Chapman Park is open for the season! Cool off and enjoy some fun in the sun every day with this free, family-friendly feature. It’ll stay open through Labor Day Weekend (weather permitting), so grab your towels and sunscreen and come make a splash!" - CARD Website

^{Lindsey Shirrah Stolliday|Pinterest}

Downtown Chico City Plaza Fountain

• Location: 4th & Main Streets
• Details: Usually up and running for the summer season. They keep it on for Thursday Night Market but turn it off for Friday Night Concerts.

Taliesi | Canva

Cool Off Along Big Chico Creek

Sycamore Pool

This unique concrete creek pool is listed above! 😎

Five Mile Recreation Area

Right in between Lower and Upper Bidwell Park, off Centennial Drive. This is a calm, wide, and shallow swimming area has restrooms, picnic tables, and plenty of parking. The kids love it because they can catch tadpoles and polliwogs here! 

Hooker Oak Park

You can access a nice spot to swim and splash in the creek from behind the back playground (the one by the basketball courts). The kids love this spot! Just be prepared to come back throughout the summer, once they know it exists!

Upper Park's Swimming Holes

Past Horseshoe Lake parking area, you can access and hike the pedestrian-only Yahi Trail to find these spots to swim:

Alligator Hole

This family-friendly spot is easily accessed and the closest to parking. It has shallow water in the summer. 

Bear Hole

Park at Parking Area K if the gate is open. Otherwise you're hiking further along the Yahi Trail from Alligator Hole. This is a really fun spot for skilled swimmers. It has deep pools, a swirling current, and some fun natural perches you can climb up to and jump off from, feet-first (absolutely do not dive head-first here). The shiny black volcanic basalt gets pretty slick and hot in the summer, but makes a great spot to warm back up and get a tan! The old diversion dam is a fun spot to lounge.

Salmon Hole

One of the largest natural pools on Big Chico Creek. Salmon Hole requires a longer hike to reach and a steeper decent before you get there.

Brown's Hole

The furthest up into Upper Park, this remote swim spot requires a long hike. This means it's more secluded, and you're more likely to get this spot of wilderness to yourselves if you're willing to make the trek.

⚠️ Safety Tips

• Stay Informed: Past fires and other circumstances may affect access and enjoyment.
• Don't go alone. The buddy system is best. These swimming holes are best enjoyed in the great company of your friends and family!
• Supervise children. Drowning doesn't really look or sound like it does in the movies. It can be silent and takes just seconds. Even when flotation devices are used, children should be closely monitored in and near the water at all times.
• Leave no trace. Let's keep Bidwell Park looking beautiful and pick up after ourselves! Bonus points for packing out litter regardless of who left it. There are garbage cans in the parking lot.
• Stay in control. Upper Park is a glass and alcohol free zone!
• Stay hydrated. Pack plenty of water, especially if you plan to hike further up Yahi Trail to the more secluded swim spots.
• Watch your step. You may come across ticks, rattlesnakes, and poison oak.

^{Upper Park Clothing}

Worth the Drive: Water Park Fun

^{Roseville Golfland Sunsplash| Facebook}

Yuba City - Gauche Aquatic Park

421 C Street, (530) 822-4655

Amenities
25 yard x 25 yard, 10 lane competitive pool
a "sprayground" with a zero depth entry to an activity pool
a 25 foot elevated state-of-the-art water slide
10,000 square foot building with enclosed reception area, multipurpose rooms, first aid station, men's and women's locker areas, and concession area.

Hours 
12-2:30 pm & 3:30-6 pm

Days
Weekends & Holidays only: May 24-26, May 31, June 1
Daily (7 days a week): June 9 - August 8 (July 4: 12-2:30 pm only)
Weekends & Holidays only: August 9 - September 1

Rates
$8 per person
Seniors 55+ $6
Kids under 2: FREE

Redding - Waterworks Park

151 North Boulder Drive, (530) 246-9550
https://www.waterworkspark.com/

Rides and Slides

• The Dragon - 48" or taller. No tubes. Thrill: 95.
• Cyclone - 42" or ride with an adult. Single or double tube. Thrill: 85.
• Avalanche - Must be able to carry the tube to the top and hold yourself securely in the tube hole. Single, double, or triple tube. Thrill: 100.
• Raging River - Carry tube and hold self securely. Single, double, or triple tube. Thrill: 80.
• The Flumes - 48" or taller. No tubes. Thrill: 60.
• Lazy Lagoon - No height restrictions. Single, double, or triple tube. Thrill: 20.
• Kiddie Playground - Under 48". No tubes. Thrill: 60
• Wave Pool - Anyone under 48" must wear a life vest and be accompanied by an adult. Parents may not hold children while waves are on. No tubes. Thrill: 80.
• Activity Pool - All ages and heights. Float or splash around. No tubes. Thrill: 10.

Days/Times
Season: May 23 - September 1, 10 am - 6 pm
Closures: May 27-29, June 19, June 21, August 25-28
Night Slides 7-10 pm: May 30, June 13, June 27, July 11, July 25, August 8, and August 22.
Family Nights 5-8 pm: Sundays in July: 6th - Disney, 13th - Carnival, 20th - Mermaid, 27th - Disney.

Rates

• 0-2 years: FREE all day every day
• Under 48": Monday-Thursday $24.95, Weekend $28.95
• 48" and over: Monday-Thursday $28.95, Weekend: $33.95
• 63 years+: $15.00 any day
• Twilight (3-6pm), all heights, $22.95. No twilight rates on Sundays due to Family Nights.
• Family Night (Sundays in July, 5-8 pm) $16.95 includes a meal - hamburger, hotdog, or piece of cheese pizza with chips and soda. Free entry for season pass holders.
• Season Passes: 
  • Early bird (Jan 1 - May 18) $65.95 
  • Regular (May 19-End of Season) $75.95
  • Infant Season Pass (avoids having to get a free infant day pass from the window every time): $10.
  • Senior Season Pass (63+): $30
    
    

Roseville - Golfland Sunsplash

1893 Taylor Road, (916) 784-1273
https://www.golfland.com/roseville/

Sunsplash Attractions

• Zoomerang: 2-3 riders, 48" or taller
• Riptide: 2-4 riders, 48" or taller
• Six Chuter: single rider, 6 lanes, 42" or taller
• Double Dare: 7 story near-vertical free fall drop. 48" or taller
• Thunder Falls: 2-4 riders, 48" or taller
• Stormrider: 2-4 riders, 48" or taller, 42"-47" may ride with adult
• The Stealth: 1-2 riders, 48" or taller
• The Revolution: 1-2 riders, 48" or taller, 42"-47" may ride with adult
• Thunder Bay Wavepool: Guests under 48" must wear a life vest (provided). Life vests from home must be US Coast Guard approved.
• Bermuda Triangle: Calm, endless river 
• Master Blaster Water Coaster: 2 riders, 48" or taller, 42"-47" may ride with adult
• The Twin Twisters: single rider, 48" or taller
• The Vortex: strong swimming skills required, 48" or taller
• The Dark Holes: 1-2 riders, 48" or taller, slide in complete darkness
• Adventure Island: shallow water (deepest 3.5 feet) with soft smaller slides and colorful play areas

Days
Season: May 24-September 21
Closures: May 27-30. June 2-4. Sept 2-4, 8-11, 15-18.

Hours
Most Sundays are 11 am - 6 pm
Most weekdays and Saturdays are 11 am - 5 pm
Nite Slides vary: 4:30-9 pm OR 5-10 pm
Some days are Nite Slides ONLY, 5-9 pm: Aug 14, 15, 20-22, 27-29, September 5, 12, 19
Check schedule here before you go.

Rates

• Choose your visit date and tickets here.
• The closer the date, the higher the price.
• If you use your tickets on a different day, the price paid will go toward paying full gate admission price.
• Sunsplash tickets 
  • online in advance range from $43.99 to $55.99 per person. 
  • Gate Prices: $57.99 to $62.99
• Sunsplash Nite Slide tickets
  • 4:30-9pm
  • online in advance range from $33.99 to $40.99
  • Gate Prices: $44.99 to $50.99
  • Select nights only
• Sunsplash + Golfland tickets 
  • online in advance range from $59.99 to $70.99 per person. 
  • Gate Prices: $72.99 to $77.99
  • Includes Sunsplash admission + 1 round mini golf, 1 Lazer Tag game, 1 race car ride (must be 58" to drive), 1 bumper car ride, and a 25 point arcade card. 
  • Golfland attractions can be redeemed until closing (10 pm or later)
• Sunsplash Nite Slides + Golfland tickets
  • online in advance range from $49.99 to $56.99
  • Gate Prices: $59.99 to $65.99
  • Come as early as 3 pm to use Golfland attractions
  • Includes Nite Slide admission + 1 round mini golf, 1 Lazer Tag game, 1 race car ride, 1 bumper car ride, and a 25 point arcade card.
• Gel Blasters Game: $11.50. Ages 10+ recommended. Gellets are small water-based beads that burst on impact. Less painful than paintballs.
• Click here for Internet Specials (bundles)

Let's make the most of summer in Chico (and beyond) with these great spots to have fun and stay cool! 

Find even more Summer Fun in our *Ultimate* Summer Guide!

Looking for more things to do together in Chico, CA? 

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