Auto tour
At Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Colusa NWR Auto Tour
Colusa NWR has a 3-mile Auto Tour that begins at the Observation Deck and takes you through wetlands, grasslands, and a riparian area. In order to minimize disturbance to wildlife and allow excellent viewing for everyone, visitors are required to stay in their vehicles while on the Auto Tour. Look for the black-crowned night heron roost in the button willow trees as you cross the bridge. Keep an eye open for an occasional collared goose, and also for a western pond turtle in the "turtle pond" located at the very southeast corner of the Auto Tour.
- Hours: 7 days a week, year-round, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
- Fees: Colusa NWR Auto Tour is fee-free
- Amenities: parking, restrooms, information kiosk, observation deck and an adjacent trail.
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own.
- Bicycling: is allowed from May 15 to August 15.
- Vehicles: the Auto Tour is all-weather gravel and suitable for standard and oversized vehicles (buses, small RVs). Large trailers are not recommended on the Auto Tour due to soft shoulders, small turnouts and limited parking.
- Directions: View our Directional Map
- Brochure: View our Area Map Brochure
Rules of the Auto Tours
- Auto Tours are roads!
- The Speed Limit is 15 mph.
- Visitors must stay inside their vehicle. Getting out of your vehicle will startle birds into flight when they could be resting or feeding.
- Visitors must remain seated with seatbelts fastened when their vehicle is in motion. Hanging out of windows or standing out of a sunroof is prohibited when the vehicle is in motion, but is permissible when vehicle is parked.
- Sitting in the bed of a truck is prohibited while on the Auto Tour.
- Vehicles may not park or travel in the wrong direction. Colusa NWR Auto Tour has one short section that's two way, but once vehicles cross over the bridge, it is one way.
- Bicycles are allowed May 15 to August 15, and motorcyclists/bicyclists must remain on their bikes.
- Walking along the Auto Tour is prohibited.
- Dogs are permitted but must remain in vehicle while on the Auto Tour
- Drones are prohibited on all USFWS property.
- Be careful! STAY ON THE GRAVEL. Road edges can be soft and your vehicle can get stuck or start a fire from dry vegetation if you leave the gravel surface.
MORE TO EXPLORE!
The Sacramento NWR Complex hosts an additional Auto Tour at Sacramento NWR, and dozens of trails at our other refuges. FOR INFORMATION, MAPS AND DIRECTIONS, visit our:
