Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
Supports four runs of chinook salmon and hundreds of migratory songbirds

LATEST INFORMATION

• Bicycles are allowed on some trails at Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge from May 15 - August 15. The Units include: Rio Vista, Pine Creek, Capay, Drumheller Slough, Packer, and Sul Norte. All bicycles must be pedal driven only. Motorized and electric propelled bikes are not allowed. Special permits will be required for groups with ten riders or more before the activity occurs. Bicycles will be permitted from sunrise to sunset.
  
• Attention Mountain Lions are present: See update below.
• Attention hunters on the River Units: please be aware that regular Refuge maintenance will be occurring such as road mowing, discing, and weed spraying. This may occur in hunt areas.

Western tanager, photo: Steve Emmons

NEW The final environmental impact statement and environmental impact report (EIS/EIR) for the Llano Seco Riparian Sanctuary Unit Restoration and Pumping Plant/Fish Screen Facility Protection Project has been released. Visit the Complex home page under hot topics for details.

Wildlife: The riparian habitat along the Sacramento River is critically important for fish, migratory birds, plants, and river system health. It provides shelter for many songbirds and water-associated animals, including the river otter, turtles, beaver, American pelicans, ospreys, and bank swallows.

Habitat: Currently, the Refuge is composed of 27 units (properties) along a 77-mile stretch of the Sacramento River between Red Bluff and Princeton. Refuge lands comprise 10,146 acres of riparian habitat, wetlands, uplands, and intensively managed walnut, almond, and prune orchards.

Notice: Mountain Lions have been sighted on the Sacramento River NWR units.Immediately report all encounters or attacks by calling the California Department of Fish and Game's (CDGF) 24-hour dispatch center (916) 445-0045 and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Sacramento NWR Complex at (530) 934-280l. For further information on Mountain Lions, visit CDGF's Web page - Mountain Lions in California. Hunters be aware of your settings. Recent sightings have been reported on the Phelan Unit (April 14, 2013), Packer Unit (March 2013), Ord Bend (March and May 2013), and Drummheller (late May).

When visiting the Refuge, it is highly recommeded to:

• Do not hike alone. Go in groups, with adults supervising children.
• Keep children close to you. Animals seem especially drawn to children; keep children within sight at all times.
• Do not approach a lion. Most mountains lions will try to avoid confrontation. Give them a way to escape.
• Do not run from a lion. Running may stimulate a mountain lion's instinct to chase.
• Do not crouch down or bed over. A human standing does not resemble a mountain lion's natural prey.
• Do all you can to appear larger. Raise your arms. Open jacket if wearing one. Pick up small children. Wave arms slowly and speak firmly in a loud voice.
• Fight back if attacked. Mountain lions usually try to bite the head or neck; try to remain standing and face the attacking animal.

Aerial view of the meandering Sacramento River during
the summer bordered by lush riparian forests, photo: USFWS

Sacramento River NWR Unit Maps and Information: Twenty-two of the Units are partially or entirely open for wildlife- dependent recreational opportunities. Wildlife viewing, photography, interpretation, and environmental education are allowed on 6,377acres and 4,500 acres are open to hunting and fishing. As in the past, gravel bars will continue to be open for hunting and fishing. Refer to the Refuge specific hunting and fishing regulations (pdf, 29 KB) and Refuge hunting season dates and bag limits 2012-2013 (pdf, 33 KB) for details.

Visitor Services Access Maps (pdf, 4.5 MB) offer general unit locations and current public use. The maps divide the Refuge into four sections north to south, along a 77-mile stretch of the Sacramento River. Refuge unit maps below give more detailed unit locations and regulations.
North: LaBarranca, Blackberry and Todd Island (pdf, 1.1 KB), Mooney and Ohm (pdf, 1.3 KB), Flynn (pdf, 1.2 KB), and Heron Island (pdf, 1.1 KB)
North Central: Rio Vista (pdf, 1.4 KB) and Foster Island (pdf, 1.0 KB)
South Central: Pine Creek (pdf, 1.2 KB), Capay and Phelan Island (pdf, 1.8 KB), Jacinto and Dead Man's Reach (pdf, 1.2 KB), Ord Bend (pdf, 2.8 KB), and South Ord (pdf, 1.1 KB)
South: Llano Seco Island 1 and 2 (pdf,1.2 KB), Sul Norte (pdf, 1.2 KB), Packer (pdf, 1.2 KB), and Afton, Drumheller North and Drumheller Slough (pdf, 935 KB)

North Central Valley WMA - Llano Seco Unit: (pdf, 227 KB)
The Llano Seco Unit has two multi-level viewing platforms, interpretive kiosk, two-thirds of a mile walking trail, and restroom offer opportunities for wildlife observation, education/interpretation, and photography. Wildlife viewing is best from mid-November through January with good viewing of sandhill cranes in fall. The primary habitat is seasonal wetlands and grasslands.

Directions to Llano Seco Unit: From Highway 99E in Gridley travel north approximately nine miles, turn west on Highway 162 and travel approximately 12 miles to Road Z. Turn north and travel approximately 11 miles to the Unit entrance. From Chico, take Dayton Road south approximately five miles, turn west onto Ord Ferry Road. Continue west approximately three miles, turn south onto Seven-mile Lane. Travel two miles to the Unit entrance.