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Sacramento NWR Complex - Auto Tours and Trails

Updated October 21, 2026

Picture of the Observation Deck on Sacramento NWR Auto Tour — A view from the observation deck at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting Out There...

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Auto Tours

The Sacramento NWR Complex has 2 different Auto Tours (Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR) that offer spectacular wildlife viewing from the comfort of your vehicle during the winter months. Visitors must remain inside their vehicles, or on their motorcycles/bicycles (allowed May 15 to August 15 only, more information below under Bicycling), on the Auto Tours unless they are in designated Park-and-Stretch areas (only at Sacramento NWR).

The birds are traveling thousands of miles to spend their winter here, so they need to rest and fuel up in order to make the return trip and raise the next generation. By using your vehicle as a viewing blind, the wildlife will remain calm and provide excellent viewing opportunities for everyone throughout the day!

car on auto tour with mountains in background and white geese in foreground

Rules of the Auto Tours

Auto Tours are roads!
- The Speed Limit is 15 mph.
- Visitors must stay inside their vehicle except at designated Park-and-Stretch areas (Sacramento NWR only). 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 at a Park-and-Stretch or in a parking lot.
- Sitting in the bed of a truck is prohibited except at Park-and-Stretch areas, in a parked vehicle.
- Vehicles may not park or travel in the wrong direction. Sacramento NWR Auto Tour is one-way all the way through. 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 except at designated Park-and-Stretch areas. Bicycles are never permitted on the Pool 2 Extension at Sacramento NWR.
Walking along the Auto Tour is prohibited.
Dogs are permitted but must remain in vehicle, except at Park-and-Stretch areas where they must be on leash.
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.

Sacramento NWR Auto Tour

Sacramento NWR has a 6-mile Auto Tour that begins at the Visitor Center and takes you through wetlands, grasslands, vernal pools 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, except the 3 Park-and-Stretch Areas. Two observation decks and a restroom are located approximately half-way around the Auto Tour at Park-and-Stretch #2, where there is a spotting scope, benches, and fantastic views!

An additional 1.5 mile loop called Pool 2 Extension is open from March 15 - September 10, conditions permitting. Pool 2 is drained every 3-5 years to allow for habitat work and road repairs, during which time the extension is closed.

Hours: 7 days a week, year-round, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Fees: Sacramento NWR Auto Tour requires and entrance fee ($6.00 daily, $12.00 annual, or valid Federal Duck Stamp or America the Beautiful Pass) - see our Passes and Permits page. Adjacent parking, restrooms, Visitor Center and trails are fee-free.
Length: 6 miles, plus 1.5 mile seasonal loop (March 15 - September 10)
Amenities: parking, information kiosk, observation decks, a restroom and a spotting scope
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
Bicycling: is allowed from May 15 to August 15, but is not permitted on the seasonal Pool 2 loop extension
Vehicles: the Auto Tour is all-weather gravel and suitable for standard and oversized vehicles (buses, 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

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
Length: 3 miles
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

Trails

A variety of trails awaits exploration on the refuges of the Sacramento NWR Complex! Wetlands, grasslands, vernal pools and riparian forests provide different experiences throughout the year. Come explore.

Sacramento NWR

There are 2 sets of trails available at Sacramento NWR.

Wetland Walk: These 2-miles of trails depart from the Visitor Center, located on Hwy 99W just 6 miles south of the city of Willows. The Wetland Walk will take you through wetlands, vernal pools and riparian habitat. Download our Wetland Walk Brochure ahead of time and learn about the Complex and its wildlife and habitats. The north loop is disabled-accessible.

Hours: 7 days a week, year-round, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Fees: Trails, Visitor Center and restrooms are fee-free. An entrance fee is required to drive Auto Tour - see our Passes and Permits page.
Length: 2 miles of trail segments
Amenities: visitor center, parking, restrooms, benches and information kiosks
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
Bicycling: is not allowed on these trails
Directions: View our Directional Map
Brochure: View our Area Map/Brochure

Seasonal Trails: Open only from February 15 to June 30, this area is accessed from Parking Lot D, on County Road 68. This seasonal area provides up to 6-miles of trails that meander through wetlands and vernal pools.

Hours: 7 days a week, February 15 - June 30, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Fees: Trails are fee-free
Length: 6 miles of trail segments
Amenities: parking, information kiosk (please sign in at the mailbox to log your visit) and in-ground blinds for photography (waders are required to access them).
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own.
Bicycling: is not allowed on these trails
Directions: View our Directional Map
Brochure: View our Area Map/Brochure

Colusa NWR

This 1-mile trail (0.5 mile out and back) begins near the Observation Deck located on O'Hair Road, off of Highway 20, just 2 miles west of the city of Colusa. The trail is a shaded walk through riparian habitat that provides glimpses into the adjacent wetlands. Near the end of the trail is a small boardwalk where visitors can overlook a wetland and catch views of waterfowl. This is a great spot to see wood ducks during the spring and summer.

Hours: 7 days a week, year-round, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Fees: Trail, Visitor Area and Auto Tour are fee-free
Length: 1 mile (0.5 mile out and back)
Amenities: parking, restrooms, information kiosk, observation deck and walkway, and picnic tables
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
Bicycling: is not allowed on this trail.
Directions: View our Directional Map
Brochure: View our Area Map Brochure

Llano Seco Unit of the Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMA

This 1-mile trail (0.5 mile out and back) departs from the Observation Deck at the Visitor Area located on 7-Mile Lane, just 15 minutes southwest of the city of Chico. The trail takes you through the wetlands to an Observation Mound with a picnic table. From October to February you will find great viewing of sandhill cranes and waterfowl. There is very limited shade during the summer.

Hours: 7 days a week, year-round, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Fees: Trail and Visitor Area are fee-free
Length: 1 mile (0.5 mile out and back)
Amenities: parking, restroom, information kiosk, observation deck, benches and picnic table
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
Bicycling: is not allowed on this trail.
Directions: View our Directional Map
Brochure: View our Area Map/Brochure

Sutter NWR

Seasonal Trails are only open from February 15 through June 30 (1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset), and are accessed from Parking Lot B on the Bypass Levee Road (off of Hughes Road), south of the city of Sutter. This seasonal area provides up to 6-miles of trails that go through a long riparian corridor and wander through seasonal wetlands. The riparian section offers great viewing of songbirds and raptors. Waterfowl are present until wetlands dry up in March/April.

Hours: 7 days a week, February 15 - June 30, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Fees: Trails are fee-free
Length: 6 miles of trail segments
Amenities: parking and an information kiosk (please sign in at the mailbox to log your visit)
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
Bicycling: is not allowed on these trails.
Directions: View our Directional Map
Brochure: View our Area Map/Brochure

Sacramento River NWR

The riparian forests and grasslands of the Sacramento River NWR offer shady walks and great viewing of songbirds between March and late May. Explore one of the eight of Sacramento River NWR units that offer parking lots with connected trails.

Hours: 7 days a week, year-round, 2 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hour after sunset
Fees: Trails are fee-free
Length: individual units have varying miles of trails - see table, below
Amenities: parking and information kiosks. Only the Sul Norte Unit has a restroom.
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
Bicycles: are permitted on trails from May 15 to August 15, except at Ord Bend.
User Overlap: Some units allow hunting between August 1 to May 31, so check the table on our Sacramento River Unit Maps and Recreation page if you are concerned about user-overlap.
Directions/Brochures: Visit our Unit Maps and Recreation page to find details, maps and brochures about the units of the Sacramento River NWR

Trails of Sacramento River NWR
Refuge Unit	Location of Unit Entrance	Trail Length	Link to downloadable Map/Brochure
Rio Vista	On South Avenue, east of Corning	6.5 miles of marked trails	Rio Vista Map/Brochure
Pine Creek	On Highway 32, west of Hamilton City	3 miles of marked trails	Pine Creek Map/Brochure
Capay	On Road 23, off Highway 45, south of Hamilton City	3 miles of marked trails	Capay Map/Brochure
Ord Bend	On Ord Ferry Road, just west of Sacramento River, just east of Highway 45	1 mile of marked trails	Ord Bend Map/Brochure
Sul Norte	On Highway 162, west of Butte City	2.5 miles of marked trails	Sul Norte Map/Brochure
Codora	Access through Sul Norte parking area, south of Sul Norte Unit and Butte City Bridge	4.5 miles of marked trails	Codora Map/Brochure
Drumheller	On Road 67, southeast of Butte City, east side of Sacramento River	0.4 miles of marked trails	Drumheller Map/Brochure
Packer	On Highway 45, north of Princeton	1.5 miles of marked trails	Packer Map/Brochure

Bicycling

When and Where Can I Bicycle?

Bicycling at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex is limited to a select number of roads and trails from May 15 to August 15.

There is a Complex-level Bicycling Map to see when and where bicycling is allowed.

Sacramento NWR:

Bicycling at Sacramento NWR is limited to the 6-mile Auto Tour between May 15 - August 15. There is no shade, no potable water, and no stopping along the Auto Tour except at the 3 park-and-stretch areas. Bicycling on Sacramento NWR is otherwise not permitted and is not allowed on the seasonal Pool 2 loop extension.

Sacramento NWR has a 6-mile Auto Tour that begins at the Visitor Center and takes you through wetlands, grasslands, vernal pools and a riparian area. In order to minimize disturbance to wildlife and allow excellent viewing for everyone, bicyclists must remain on their bicycle except at the three Park-and-Stretch areas. Two observation decks and a restroom are located approximately half-way around the Auto Tour at Park-and-Stretch #2, where there is a spotting scope, benches, and fantastic views!

Hours: 7 days a week, May 15 - August 15, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Fees: Sacramento Refuge Auto Tour requires and entrance fee ($6.00 daily, $12.00 annual, or valid Federal Duck Stamp or America the Beautiful Pass, which can be purchased on Recreation.gov). For more information, see our Passes and Permits page. Adjacent parking, restrooms, Visitor Center and trails are fee-free.
Length: 6 miles
Amenities: parking, information kiosk, observation decks, a restroom and a spotting scope
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
- Shade is limited to the observation deck, so please plan accordingly
Bicycling: is allowed from May 15 to August 15, but is not permitted on the seasonal Pool 2 loop extension.
Substrate: the Auto Tour is all-weather gravel but puncture vine may occur on the edges of gravel roads. You are strongly encouraged to have a can of fix-a-flat or a patch kit suitable for your bicycle's tires, in case something happens while out on the auto tour.
Directions: View our Directional Map
Brochure: View our Area Map/Brochure
There is a Complex-level Bicycling Map to see when and where bicycling is allowed.

Colusa NWR:

Bicycling at Colusa NWR is limited to the 3-mile Auto Tour between May 15 - August 15. There is very limited shade, no potable water, and no stopping along the Auto Tour. Bicycling on Colusa NWR is not otherwise permitted.

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, bicyclists must remain on their bicycle. 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, May 15 - August 15, 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset
Fees: Colusa NWR Auto Tour is fee-free
Length: 3 miles
Amenities: parking, restrooms, information kiosk, observation deck and an adjacent trail
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
- Shade is limited, so please plan accordingly
Bicycling: is allowed from May 15 to August 15
Substrate: the Auto Tour is all-weather gravel but puncture vine may occur on the edges of gravel roads. You are strongly encouraged to have a can of fix-a-flat or a patch kit suitable for your bicycle's tires, in case something happens while out on the auto tour.
Directions: View our Directional Map
Brochure: View our Area Map Brochure
There is a Complex-level Bicycling Map to see when and where bicycling is allowed.

Sacramento River NWR:

Bicycling at Sacramento River NWR is limited to the designated trails of 7 units (Rio Vista, Pine Creek, Capay, Sul Norte, Codora, Packer, and Drumheller) between May 15 - August 15. Bicycling on Sacramento River NWR is otherwise not permitted.

The riparian forests and grasslands of the Sacramento River NWR offer shady rides and great viewing of songbirds. Bike one of the seven units that offer parking lots with connected trails.

Hours: 7 days a week, May 15 - August 15, 2 hours before sunrise to 1.5 hour after sunset
Fees: Trails are fee-free
Length: individual units have varying miles of trails - see table, below
Amenities: parking and information kiosks. Only the Sul Norte Unit has a restroom.
- Potable water is not available, so please bring your own
Bicycles: are permitted on trails from May 15 to August 15, except at Ord Bend
Substrate: the trails are all-weather gravel or dirt, and puncture vine may occur on the edges. You are strongly encouraged to have a can of fix-a-flat or a patch kit suitable for your bicycle's tires, in case something happens while out on the trails.
User Overlap: Some units allow hunting between August 1 to May 31, so check the table on our Sacramento River Unit Maps and Recreation page if you are concerned about user-overlap.
Directions/Brochures: Visit our Unit Maps and Recreation page to find details, maps and brochures about the units of the Sacramento River NWR
There is a Complex-level Bicycling Map to see when and where bicycling is allowed.

Sacramento River NWR trails open for bicycling from May 15 - August 15
Refuge Unit	Location of Unit Entrance	Trail Length	Link to downloadable Map/Brochure
Rio Vista	On South Avenue, east of Corning	6.5 miles of marked trails	Rio Vista Map/Brochure
Pine Creek	On Highway 32, west of Hamilton City	3 miles of marked trails	Pine Creek Map/Brochure
Capay	On Road 23, off Highway 45, south of Hamilton City	3 miles of marked trails	Capay Map/Brochure
Sul Norte	On Highway 162, west of Butte City	2.5 miles of marked trails	Sul Norte Map/Brochure
Codora	Access through Sul Norte parking area, south of Sul Norte Unit and Butte City Bridge	4.5 miles of marked trails	Codora Map/Brochure
Drumheller	On Road 67, southeast of Butte City, east side of Sacramento River	0.4 miles of marked trails	Drumheller Map/Brochure
Packer	On Highway 45, north of Princeton	1.5 miles of marked trails	Packer Map/Brochure

Be Prepared and Alert!

Puncture vine may occur on the edges of gravel roads. You are strongly encouraged to have a can of fix-a-flat or a patch kit suitable for your bicycle's tires, in case something happens while out on the trails or auto tours.

These are natural and wild areas. You may encounter ticks, mosquitoes, wasps, yellow-jackets, bees, poison oak, stinging nettle, poison hemlock, rattle snakes (particularly on Sacramento River NWR), and mountain lions. Be aware of your surroundings, hold off on touching plants or insects, and make some noise on the trails, especially if you’re by yourself.

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