Parking
Weekdays and Events
Gateway Science Museum visitors and field trips groups park for FREE in the Gateway Science Museum parking lot! Available spaces are designated by GREEN curbs with “Gateway Parking.”
Do NOT park in spaces:- without green curbs
- designated/signed as Chico State permit required
- at Bidwell Mansion. A new fee-based parking system started at Bidwell Mansion in May 2026.
Parking in the above locations while visiting Gateway may result in a citation.
Also be aware that many of the residential streets around the immediate area of the museum do not allow public parking.
Bus drop-off and pick-up for field trips:- The Bidwell Mansion parking lot IS OPEN to through traffic. Buses can safely make it through the parking lot.
- Buses must be parked off site during the field trip. We suggest the Safeway parking lot on Mangrove Ave.
Additional information about parking on campus(opens in new window).
Weekends
Gateway Science Museum visitors park for FREE in the Gateway Science Museum parking lot!
Parking in campus lots is NOT restricted on weekends or official state holidays.