Shutdown Notice
Due to the lapse in federal appropriations, this website will not be updated until further notice. Where public access to refuge lands does not require the presence of a federal employee or contractor, activities on refuge lands will be allowed to continue on the same terms as before the appropriations lapse. Any entry onto Refuge System property during this period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor's sole risk. Please read this important updated message about the closure of National Wildlife Refuge System facilities during the shutdown, and refer to alerts posted on individual refuge websites for the status of visitor facilities and previously scheduled events that may still occur during the shutdown.

For more information, please visit the Department of Interior webpage at https://www.doi.gov/shutdown

Features

  • 218 Hunter with decoys

    Hunting

    The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge offers great waterfowl hunting.

    Hunting on the Complex

  • Blue Goose Insignia

    The Blue Goose

    The Blue Goose insignia, designed by J.N. Ding Darling, is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

    National Wildlife Refuge System

  • Come visit!

    Drive the auto tour, go for a hike, hunt waterfowl, or stop in the visitor center. There is a lot to do at the refuge.

    Visit - Plan Your Visit

Visitor Opportunities

Plan Your Visit

symbols - plan your visit

There are lots of things to do at the Sacramento NWR Complex! Birdwatching, photography, hiking and hunting are just a few of the things we have to offer. Find something that is just right for you....

Plan Your Visit

Waterfowl Hunting

150 Pintail courtship flight

Find out more about waterfowl hunting on the Sacramento NWR Complex.

Hunting on the Complex

Sacramento River Hunting

River Hunting Promo Collage

The Sacramento River NWR offers a variety of hunting opportunities on our many properties located from Red Bluff to Colusa. Find out more...

Sacramento River NWR Hunting

Directions

VISITOR AREA: Located 75 minutes north of Sacramento, adjacent to Interstate 5. Traveling north or south on I-5, exit at Rd 68 (#595, 9.1 miles north Maxwell or 8.3 miles south of Willows) and turn east towards Hwy 99W (parallels I-5). Go north 1.7 miles on Hwy 99W, turn right into Refuge entrance. HUNT AREA: exit I-5 at Rd 68, go 1 mile east on Rd 68 to Check Station gate (on right).

Visitor Center and Hunter Check Station Maps (2 pages)
Featured Wildlife

Found a baby bird or injured wildlife?

Injured Wildlife Western Kingbird

The best care you can give a baby bird is to leave it be, where its parents can care for it....they are most likely keeping an eye on it! If it seems to be in danger from a pet or exposure, you might create a make-shift nest out of a towel and place it in the shade of a nearby shrub, or in the crook of a nearby tree. Please do NOT take the animal home or bring it to the refuge. The refuge is not equipped to care for injured or orphaned animals. In Butte, Glenn, and Colusa Counties the Valley Oak Veterinary Center on Dr MLK Parkway in Chico accepts wildlife. In the Sacramento metropolitan area contact the Wildlife Care Association at 916-965-WILD(9453).

See a list of rehabilitators in CA

About the Complex

Sacramento NWR Complex - Contact Us

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Sacramento NWR Complex - Contact Us.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

NWRS Logo

The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
Follow NWRS Online