On this page, you'll find information about: How to get here (directions and maps), hours by refuge, activities by refuge, accessibility, other tidbits, wildlife, weather, local information and activities, and contact information.
Click on Passes and Permits for more information.
Click on Rules and Policies for more information.
Click on Sacramento NWR Home to return to Sacramento NWR Home page.
(You'll read the acronym "NWR" frequently on this page - it's shorthand for "National Wildlife Refuge.")
HOW TO GET HERE
Directional Maps:
• Sacramento NWR
• Delevan NWR
• Colusa NWR
• Sutter NWR
• Llano Seco Unit
• Sacramento River NWR
HOURS BY REFUGE
Sacramento NWR:
Visitor Center (subject to change)
• Currently: Monday, Thursday, Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm
• Visitor Center closed on federal holidays
Auto Tour and Wetland Walk - open year-round, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
Seasonal Trails - open February 15 - June 30, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
Delevan NWR:
General viewing is limited to the bordering county roads.
Colusa NWR:
Auto Tour and Trail - open year-round, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
Sutter NWR:
Seasonal Trails - open February 15 - June 30, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
Llano Seco Unit of Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMA:
Trail - open year-round, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.
Sacramento River NWR:
Open year-round, 2 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hours after sunset
Hunting Areas:
See Hunting Webpage
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FEES AND PERMITS
Sacramento NWR:
An entrance pass is required at Sacramento NWR. Valid passes include refuge passes ($6 daily pass/$12 annual pass), current year Federal Duck Stamp, or an Interagency America the Beautiful Pass. Visit our Passes and Permits page for more detailed information and pay online before you come to the refuge.
Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR (seasonal trails), Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit:
Entrance passes are not currently required for admission into the Visitor Use Areas of Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR (open February 15 to June 30), Sacramento River NWR, or the Llano Seco Unit.
Special Use Permits:
Certain activities, such as Research Projects, Commercial Activities (for-profit guided tours, photography, filming, etc.) and Large wildlife-oriented, organized events (birding, wildlife watching, festivals, etc.) require a Special Use Permit, if deemed compatible with the USFWS Mission and Refuge Purpose, and approved by the Refuge.
Large Private Events, such as weddings, memorials and parties are not allowed at Sacramento NWR Complex. For more information, contact the Complex Headquarters to speak with the refuge manager of the area where the proposed activity will occur: (530)934-2801. Visit our Passes and Permits page for more fee and permits information.
Hunting:
Special licenses, validations & passes are required for hunting. Visit the Hunting Permits and Regulations page for more detailed information on entering the hunt areas.
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ACTIVITIES BY REFUGE
Visitor Center Auto Tours Trails Bicycling Photography Hunting Environmental Education
- Sacramento NWR:
- Visitor Center (including bookstore, info kiosks, native garden, picnic area, restrooms)
- Auto Tour (6-miles) with 2 Observation Decks and restroom
- Trails (2-miles Wetland Walk, open all year)
- Trails (6-miles Seasonal Trails, open February 15 - June 30)
- Photography (including 2 Photo Blinds, by reservation)
- Wildlife Viewing
- Bicycling (limited to Auto Tour between May 15- August 15)
- Environmental Education Program
- Hunting (in designated hunt area)
- Delevan NWR:
- Photography Blind (by reservation)
- Wildlife Viewing is limited to the bordering county roads (Maxwell & Four Mile Rd). Delevan NWR is otherwise closed to public admittance.
- Hunting (in designated hunt area)
- Colusa NWR:
- Visitor Area (including info kiosk, restroom, native garden, picnic area)
- Auto Tour (3-miles) with an Observation Deck
- Trail (1-mile round trip, open all year)
- Photography (including 1 Photo Blind, by reservation)
- Wildlife Viewing
- Bicycling (limited to Auto Tour between May 15 - August 15)
- Hunting (in designated hunt area)
- Sutter NWR:
- Trails (6-miles Seasonal Trails, open February 15 - June 30)
- Photography is limited to Hughes Rd (other than Seasonal Trails). Sutter NWR is otherwise closed to public admittance.
- Wildlife Viewing is limited to Hughes Rd (other than Seasonal Trails). Sutter NWR is otherwise closed to public admittance.
- Hunting (in designated hunt area)
- Sacramento River NWR:
- Trails (open all year) on eight different units
- Photography
- Wildlife Viewing
- Bicycling (limited to designated trails, open May 15 - August 15) on seven units
- Fishing (Packer Lake and along Sacramento River)
- Hunting (in designated areas)
- Llano Seco Unit (Steve Thompson N. Central Valley WMA):
- Visitor Area (including Observation Deck, info kiosk, restroom)
- Trail (open all year, 1-mile round trip) with an Observation Mound
- Photography
- Wildlife Viewing
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ACCESSIBILITY
The Complex is committed to providing equal opportunities for all of our visitors:
• All tour routes, platforms, and public buildings have access for people with disabilities.
• The north loop of the Wetland Walk Trail is wheelchair accessible.
• The restrooms at Sacramento and Colusa NWRs and the Llano Seco Unit are accessible.
• For information on hunting, visit the hunting accessibility page.
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OTHER TIDBITS
• Ticks: spring and summer are tick season.
• Mountain Lions: Mountain lions are residents along the Sacramento River, and there are occasionally sightings on Sacramento River NWR, and rarely on the other refuges of Sacramento NWR Complex. Click here to learn more.
• Trash: the Complex is a carry in/carry out facility. This means anything you bring in with you, must leave with you.
• Walk Softly: Please leave only footprints, and take only photos and memories!
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WILDLIFE
Wildlife and Habitat <-- Click here to learn more about the Wildlife and Habitats of Sacramento NWR Complex, and to learn about how our Refuge biologists conduct their monthly wildlife surveys.
Waterfowl Surveys <-- Click here to see how many waterfowl use the Complex each month. Refuge biologists conduct wildlife surveys once a month, mid-month. Summaries are available for 2008-present, and the current year's surveys are updated at the end of each month.
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WEATHER
The weather in the Sacramento Valley can range from extreme heat (100+) in the summer to dense fog or blustery winds in the winter. Often there is spotted fog in the Valley. Check your local news stations to determine what to expect or check the National Weather Service (search Willows, CA or by zip 95988).
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LOCAL INFORMATION AND ACTIVITIES
The surrounding communities offer a variety of amenities for visitors. Visit the following webpages for more information about restaurants, lodging, and other activities. Camping is not permitted on the Complex.
• Willows Chamber of Commerce
• Colusa County Chamber of Commerce (including the Colusa-Sacramento River SRA)
• Chico Chamber of Commerce
•Orland Chamber of Commerce
• Black Butte Lake National Recreation Area (offers camping)
• Mendocino National Forest
• Local California State Parks with camping: Colusa-Sacramento SRA and Woodson Bridge SRA
• Local California Department of Fish and Wildlife Areas (no camping permitted): Upper Butte Basin WA, Colusa Bypass WA, Gray Lodge WA, and Sutter Bypass WA
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CONTACT US
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988
Phone: 530-934-2801
TTY: 711
email: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov
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