Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park

Current Park Restrictions

This park unit is open at limited capacity. Please take the time to read the information contained on this webpage to find out what is open and closed, and what COVID-19 guidelines are in place. - (September 13, 2021)

What is open now?

Visitor Center & Gift Shop will be open Saturdays and Wednesdays from 11am to 3pm.
(Please note that for the time being our tours will work differently than in the past.)
- Saturdays and Wednesdays at 12:00pm and 3:00pm there will be an indoor tour of the mansion. This tour is free, ona first come-first serve basis, and limited to eight individuals. We ask all attendees of the indoor tour wear either a mask or face-shield.

COVID-19 Guidelines - (June 21, 2021)

Recreate Responsibly
Protect yourself, family, friends and your community by following these prevention measures:

Know Before You Go – Prior to leaving home, check the status of the park unit you want to visit to find out what restrictions and guidelines are in place. Have a back-up plan in case your destination is crowded. Stay home if you are sick
Plan Ahead – Some restrooms will be temporarily closed to keep up with cleaning schedules. Bring soap/hand sanitizer.
Play It Safe – Find out what precautions you should take when exploring the outdoors, especially if this is your first time visiting the State Park System. Learn more at parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.
Be COVID-19 Safe– State Parks continues to follow guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health:
- Fully Vaccinated Persons: Face coverings are not required in public outdoor settings.For indoor public settings, such as museums and visitor centers, all vaccinated individuals are to self-attest that they are in compliance prior to entry.
- Unvaccinated Persons: Face coverings are required in indoor public settings such as museums and visitor centers.
Leave No Trace – Leave areas better than how you found them by staying on designated trails and packing out all trash. Do not disturb wildlife or plants.

Phone Number

(530) 895-6144

Park Hours

The Visitor Center is open
Saturday – Monday 11 AM to 5 PM
(Closed Tuesday - Friday)

Dogs Allowed?

Driving Directions to Bidwell Mansion SHP

From Highway 99: Take East First Avenue and go left onto The Esplanade, the Mansion is on your right(west).
From Highway 5: Take Highway 32 exit at Orland east 20 miles to West Sacramento Avenue. Turn left (east) onto West Sacramento Avenue to The Esplanade where you turn right (south).
The Mansion is located at 525 The Esplanade. The Visitor Center is open Saturday through Monday 11am-5pm. Tours are on the hour, with the last tour at 4:00 pm.

View on Map

Online reservations are not available for this park.

Park Brochure

Upcoming Park Events

No events scheduled at this moment.

DAY-USE ACTIVITIES & FACILITIES
Historical/Cultural Site
Picnic Areas
Env. Learning/Visitor Center
Exhibits and Programs
Guided Tours
Interpretive Exhibits
Museums
Family Programs
Geocaching

OTHER FACILITIES & VISITOR INFORMATION
Parking
Restrooms
Drinking Water Available

About Bidwell Mansion

Bidwell Mansion State Historic Park is a beautiful, three-story, 26 room Victorian House Museum that stands as a memorial to John and Annie Bidwell. John Bidwell was known throughout California and across the nation as an important pioneer, farmer, soldier, statesman, politician and philanthropist. Annie Ellicott Kennedy Bidwell, the daughter of a socially prominent, high ranking Washington official, was deeply religious, and committed to a number of moral and social causes. Annie was very active in the suffrage and prohibition movements.

The Bidwell's were married April 16, 1868 in Washington, D.C. with then President Andrew Johnson and future President Ulysses S. Grant among the guests. Upon arrival in Chico, the Bidwell's used the Mansion extensively for entertainment of friends. Some of the guests that visited Bidwell Mansion were President Rutherford B. Hayes, General William T. Sherman, Susan B. Anthony, Frances Willard, Governor Stanford, John Muir, and Asa Gray.

When constructed, Bidwell Mansion featured the most modern plumbing, gas lighting and water systems. The overall style of the three-story brick structure is that of an Italian Villa, an informal, warmly romantic style. The building's exterior is finished with a pink tinted plaster.

Operating Hours

Visitor Center:
Bidwell Mansions State Historic Park’s Visitor Center is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11am to 3pm.

Tour Schedule:
Indoor tours of the mansion are provided on a first come, first served basis, and are offered Wednesdays and Saturdays at 12:00pm and 3:00pm.

Tour sizes are currently capped at eight persons, and masks or face-shields must be worn to enter the mansion.

Tour Fees
Adult 18 and over: $6.00
Youth 5-17: $3.00
Children 4 and under: Free

Location - Directions

The Mansion is located at 525 Esplanade.

From Highway 99: Take East First Avenue exit and head west. Turn Left on Esplanade. The park is located on the right hand side of the road at Memorial Way and Esplanade.

From Highway 5: Take Highway 32 exit at Orland east 20 miles to West Sacramento Avenue. Turn left (east) onto West Sacramento Avenue to The Esplanade where you turn right (south).

Seasons/Climate Recommended Clothing

Summer and spring are warm; fall and winter can be cool. Layered clothing is advised. The mansion is temperature controlled.

Accessibility

Tours consist of three floors of Bidwell Mansion, including approximately 50 stairs. The first floor of Bidwell Mansion is accessible via an exterior ramp. The two upper levels are only accessible by stairs. For visitors unable to climb stairs, an open-captioned video of the 2nd and 3rd floors may be viewed in the Visitor Center.

The Visitor Center is completely accessible. It includes restrooms, water fountain, a lobby, a museum store, an exhibit hall and a theater.