Hooker Oak Park

Hooker Oak Park serves as a historic and scenic competition site for Chico State cross country, located just 3.5 miles north of campus on the southeast edge of Upper Bidwell Park. The 35-acre recreational area, owned by the City of Chico and operated by CARD, offers a natural running environment defined by open grass fields, tree-lined paths, and a true Northern California landscape.

While the Wildcats utilize a variety of training locations throughout the region, Hooker Oak Park has played host to championship-level competition. The venue served as the site of the CCAA Cross Country Championships in both 2013 and 2025, with Chico State’s men’s and women’s teams capturing conference titles on their home course in both seasons.

Steeped in local history, the park was once home to the iconic Hooker Oak tree—one of the largest oak trees in the world and famously featured in the 1930s film Robin Hood. Today, the area continues to provide a unique blend of tradition, community, and competition, making it a memorable setting for championship racing.