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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Return to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Sacramento NWR Complex - Visitor Center

Updated October 26, 2026
Visitor Center building entrance with refuge name sign

Come See Us!

Sacramento NWR is home to our Visitor Center and is the Headquarters for the Sacramento NWR Complex.

 

Visitor Center & Headquarters

The Visitor Center and Headquarters for Sacramento NWR Complex is located at the Sacramento NWR, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA, 95988 (see map). 

During open hours, you'll be able to explore the interpretive displays, Discovery Room, classroom and nature store, plus check in with staff and volunteers to find out about birding hotspots and borrow a pair of binoculars for the day!

But even when the Visitor Center is closed, you can come sit under the covered patio or tree-shaded picnic benches, use the restrooms, explore two miles of trails and check out the two viewing platforms located on the six-mile auto tour.

Visitor Center Interior at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Interpretive displays at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center, including a wall mural of snow geese in flight, multiple interpretive panels, and two interactive media and listening stations.

Visitor Center Hours*:

  • Visitor Center Hours:  Fridays, 10:00am-3:00pm (effective May 1, 2026 - extended winter hours coming soon). The exterior restrooms are open 7 days a week, one hour before sunrise until 1 hour after sunset.
  • Nature Store (operated by the Friends of the Sacramento NWR):  currently closed for the summer season, but stay tuned for extended winter hours

*Subject to change. The Visitor Center is always closed on Federal Holidays.

 

Entrance Fee for Sacramento NWR Auto Tour and Trails: 

There is no fee required to visit the trails, restrooms or Visitor Center at Sacramento NWR.  An entrance fee/pass is required for the Auto Tour at Sacramento NWR ($6.00 daily, $12.00 annual, or use of a current Federal Duck Stamp or America the Beautiful Pass) - please see our Passes and Permits page for more info.

Admission to the Hunt Area requires different permits/fees. Please see our Hunting page for information.

 

Discovery Room

Visitor Center Discovery Room at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Discovery Room at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center, including a large room with a television, a mural of Sacramento Valley habitats and wildlife, and a multimedia station.

Explore the Discovery Room and Kids' Corner:  read a book, color and display your artwork, do a puzzle, get up close with a microscope, or check out the wildlife touch station with feathers, skulls, and hides.

 

Environmental Education Classroom

Classroom tables and chairs in Environmental Education Classroom

A new classroom facility is available for school groups to come learn all about the wetlands and wildlife of the Sacramento Valley. This space also functions as a meeting space for workshops and collaborative events with partners. See our Education and Outreach page for more information.

 

Nature Store

Visitor Center Bookstore at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Bookstore at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center, which includes two shelves containing book, a display rack of t-shirts, wall displays with cards and notebooks, and a checkout counter.

Visit the Nature Store, run by Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge, and find great field guides, nature books, postcards, t-shirts, caps, stickers, pins, and even fine-art prints! Hours are posted above, under Visitor Center Hours. If you would like to volunteer to run the Nature Store on days when the Visitor Center is open, please reach out directly to our Friends group: https://www.friendsofsnwr.org/ 

 

Picnic Area

Get in some extra bird-watching while you eat your lunch. Enjoy your lunch on the benches under the shady willow trees next to the parking area, or set up on the four picnic tables [Coming Soon!] while watching a variety of bird feeders [Coming Soon!] just outside the Visitor Center. Restrooms are available.  Open 7 days a week, year-round, from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset. Please pack-out what you pack-in (no public trash cans).

 

Native Plant Garden

Conceptual drawing of native plant garden and trails

[Coming soon!] A native plant garden is being planned near the Visitor Center, thanks to our hard-working volunteers and partners.

 

Wetland Walk

wetland trail with water and storm clouds in background. arrow pointing to the right on wood post with heron on sign

 

Head out onto the 2-mile Wetland Walk Trails from the Visitor Center. Walk through wetlands, a riparian area, and vernal pools. Take an interpretive brochure along and learn about the plants and animals you encounter. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leash. Open 7 days a week, year-round, from 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset.

An additional 5 miles of Spring Trails are available on the south part of the refuge from February 15 - June 30. Visit our Trails page for additional hiking opportunities.

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