Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX (see table below for links to all NWRs/WMAs in the Complex). Colusa NWR offers many visitor activities: drive the auto tour, take photos, watch wildlife, go for a hike, or take part in a waterfowl hunt.

Latest News

Picture of person looking through binoculars from the Colusa NWR Observation Deck.
Sacramento NWR Complex - 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....
Two hunters in camo clothing hide with a hunting dog in the tules beside a marsh. One hunter is using duck call while the other holds a shotgun.
Sacramento NWR Complex - Hunting - Waterfowl
The Sacramento Valley is historically known for its premier waterfowl hunting. Since 1950, portions of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex have been open to the public for hunting. Hunting is an important wildlife management tool that we recognize as a healthy, traditional outdoor...
8 male wild turkeys walking in grass
Sacramento River NWR - Hunting
The Sacramento River NWR has over 5,350 acres open to fishing, migratory game bird, upland game, and big game hunting.  
A river coming from the left curves to meet the ocean with a sandy beach in the foreground
Recreation
The Wildlife Refuges of I-5
This story presents a dozen-and-a-half national wildlife refuges between Seattle and San Diego where weary Interstate 5 travelers or even cyclists taking a similar path could take a short nature break.
ducks and geese mostly in water with 9 flying. trees in background
Wildlife Management
Drought Conditions at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Potential Impacts to Recreation Opportunities
Ongoing drought conditions in northern California's Central Valley is leading to a drastic reduction in wetland habitat that may impact public use on the Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, and Sutter national wildlife refuges.
A cloudy, orange sky at dawn over a marsh, with mountains barely visible on the distant horizon
Recreation
Why I Took These Shots #7
This is one in a series of articles in which U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff members reflect on favorite photos they have taken at national wildlife refuges. It features former refuge manager STEVE EMMONS and several national wildlife refuges north of Sacramento, California.
View All News

Visit Us

 

collage of 12 symbols representing visitor activities
Image Details

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is just one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Colusa NWR offers a wide variety of recreational activities for visitors: a 3-mile driving tour, 1-mile walking trail, hunting, photography and more! 

Find out more about Colusa NWR by exploring the menu to the left (desktop) or hamburger menu top-right (handheld device), or see our Plan Your Visit page (link below) to find everything the Complex has to offer.

 

 

PLAN YOUR VISIT <-- Click here to find all the information you need to visit the Complex.....

      • ACTIVITIES
            • visitor center
            • auto tours
            • trails
            • photography
            • bicycling
            • hunting
            • environmental education
      • HOURS
      • FEES
      • ACCESSIBILITY
      • DIRECTIONS
      • OTHER LOCAL INFORMATION

VISITOR QUICK-LINKS for Sacramento NWR Complex

Refuge
Home
Pages:

Maps with
Driving
Directions:

Trail Maps/
Visitor
Leaflets:

Wildlife
Checklists
& Surveys

Hunt
Maps:
PLAN YOUR VISIt
to the complex
(Complex includes
all refuges, below) 		 (see specific
refuges, below)		 -TRAILS page
-AUTO TOUR page
-BICYLCING page
-PHOTOGRAPHY page
-EDUCATORS page
-River NWR MAPS page		 -Wildlife Checklist
-Waterfowl Surveys		 -HUNTING page
-Riv NWR HUNTING page

Sacramento NWR

 Directions - Sac NWR -Visitor Maps -Sac NWR
-Wetlands Walk guide		 -Wildlife Checklist
-Waterfowl Surveys		 Hunt Map - Sac NWR

Delevan NWR

 Directions - Del NWR - -Wildlife Checklist
-Waterfowl Surveys		 Hunt Map - Del NWR

Colusa NWR

 Directions - Cls NWR Visitor Map - Cls NWR -Wildlife Checklist
-Waterfowl Surveys		 Hunt Map - Cls NWR

Sutter NWR

 Directions - Sut NWR Visitor Map - Sut NWR -Wildlife Checklist
-Waterfowl Surveys		 Hunt Map - Sut NWR

Sacramento
River NWR

 Riv NWR MAPS page Riv NWR MAPS page -Wildlife Checklist Riv NWR MAPS page

Llano Seco Unit
(STNCV WMA)

 Directions - Llano Seco Visitor Map - Llano Seco -Wildlife Checklist
-Waterfowl Surveys		 -

Butte Sink WMA

 - - -Waterfowl Surveys -

Willow Creek/
Lurline WMA

 - - - -

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      partial view of brown viewing platform with about 8 people on the platform looking out on the wetland at snow geese
      Image Details

      Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It is located about 70 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento and one mile southwest of the town of Colusa in Colusa County. The refuge consists of 5,077 acres consisting primarily of wetlands, with some grasslands and riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       habitats.

      Click on the link below to learn more about us!

       

      What We Do

        

      tractor mowing levee road with mountains in background
      Image Details
      • Resource Management

      To help plants and wildlife, Refuge staff uses a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values. Refuge staff carefully consider any management techniques and employ them in varying degrees according to the situation.

      • Conservation and Partnerships

      The Complex is involved in many conservation endeavors, including Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Private Landowner Programs, and the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.

      Click on the link below to learn more about what we do!

      Our Organization

      National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997:The NWRS Improvement Act defines a unifying mission for all refuges, including a process for determining compatible uses on refuges, and requiring that each refuge be managed according to a CCP. The NWRS Improvement  Act expressly states that wildlife conservation is the priority of System lands and that the Secretary shall ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of refuge lands are maintained. Each refuge must be managed to fulfill the specific purposes for which the refuge was established and the System mission. The first priority of each refuge is to conserve, manage, and if needed, restore fish and wildlife populations and habitats according to its purpose.

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 560 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington, DC

      Our Species

      drake wood duck on log
      Image Details

      Colusa NWR regularly supports peak wintering populations of over 150,000 ducks and  60,000 geese. Thousands of waterfowl are present from September through March. Peak populations occur in December and January. Many birds including nesting wood ducks and mammals can be seen year-round.

      Species and Habitats  <-- Click here to learn more about our species and habitats!

      Wildlife Checklist  <-- Click here to view our Wildlife Checklist