It flows 46 miles (74 km)[2] to its confluence with the Sacramento River in Butte County.

Big Chico Creek forms part of the demarcation between the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range.

There are numerous plant and animal species in the riparian zone and entire watershed of Big Chico Creek.

A threatened species of Chinook Salmon make annual spawning runs up Big Chico Creek to the area of Higgin's Hole.

Among the wildflowers documented in the watershed is the yellow mariposa lily, Calochortus luteus.