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Chico Creek Nature Center

Bidwell Park Information Center and Living Animal Museum building exterior with a sign and glass entrance doors.

As the official Visitor Center of Bidwell Park, the Nature Center is a hub for fun, education, and wonder — all inspired by the outdoors! 

When you visit the Nature Center, you will enter the Janeece Webb Living Animal Museum. Here you will find over 50 animals including snakes, John the desert tortoise, scorpions, red and yellow-legged frogs, spiders, and even stick bugs!

The Nature Center also houses Kristie's Nature Lab, which is used for programs and available to reserve.  

📍 Location: 1968 E 8th Street, Chico, CA 95928 
📲 Phone: 530-891-4671
🕙 Hours: Fridays 10 AM–1 PM, Saturdays & Sundays 10 AM–3 PM
💲 Admission:  $3.00 for children, $4.00 for seniors and $5.00 for adult
👥 Group Rate: $3.00 per person for groups of 16 and up

Help feed our animal ambassadors!

A raven perched on a wooden stump inside a room with a net and pet carrier.
Edgar the Common Raven
A tarantula peeking out from a hiding spot.
A raven perched on a wooden stump inside a room with a net and pet carrier.
A tortoise is crossing a speckled floor indoors.

At the Chico Creek Nature Center, we care for a variety of amazing animal ambassadors, including Coral the Coast mountain king snake, Checkers the gopher snake, and even Flash the Western pond turtle (who, fun fact, also eats pinky mice—turtles are omnivores!). We need your help to keep them happy and healthy. Did you know that our snakes can typically munch on about 12 mice each month each?

Your donation through our friends at RodentPro.com® goes directly toward feeding these incredible creatures and ensuring they continue to educate and inspire our community. Every contribution makes a difference—thank you for supporting our wildlife ambassadors!

 Click here to donate!

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Chico Creek Nature Center is not a rehabilitation center and we do not accept injured or orphaned animals. If you have found an injured or orphaned animal, contact our local wildlife rehabilitation organization- Bidwell Wildlife Rehabilitation.

A group of children with two adults posing outdoors amidst colorful autumn trees.

Nature School

Nature School is a first learning experience for kids ages 3-5, who are potty trained and ready for an experience away from their family. This program has zero screen time and is predominantly held outdoors. Nature kids get to visit live animals at the Nature Center, go on nature walks daily and practice nature identification along the way. We provide fun themes every two weeks and work on social emotional and school readiness skills. All units include play-based learning, healthy body movement like yoga and dancing, themed stories, songs, art projects, sensory exploration and sign language. We PLAY, we teach KINDNESS, and we truly nurture a love of NATURE! Ages: 3-5 M/W or T/Th | Sep-May | 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

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