Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, hunting and so much more. The Visitor Center for the Complex is located at Sacramento NWR, where you can find maps/brochures, exciting programs, guided tours, exhibits, and a bookstore.
Visitor Center Remodel
Pathway leading to Sacramento Refuge Visitor Center with trailhead sign that says "Wetland Walk"
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January, 2022 - the Sacramento NWR Office and Visitor Center was closed for a major remodeling effort. During the remodel, the Visitor Center, including it's restrooms and kiosks, is closed to the public. Portable restrooms are provided at the Visitor Center parking lot. The parking lot, trails, and auto tour will remain open throughout construction. Visitors can still call the office (530-934-2801) with questions regarding visiting the Refuge. Construction is anticipated to be completed Fall 2023. 

The Sacramento NWR Office and Visitor Center remodel project will include an expanded Visitor Center with new interpretive displays, a new environmental education classroom, and updated office facilities and meeting spaces for refuge staff and partners.

 

DROUGHT IMPACTS

Dry soil at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
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Due to drought conditions at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, waterfowl hunting season opener is delayed and other recreational opportunities may potentially be impacted.

- See our Plan Your Visit page for an updated summary
- See our Hunting page for an updated summary
- Click here to view the News Release

Latest News

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.  
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....
Ducks flying over water at sunset
Land Management
Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges in California, Nevada and the Klamath Basin, 2022 – 2023
Many of the Service's refuges in California, Nevada and the Klamath Basin are dealing with lack of wetland habitat and forage for migratory birds. As a result, some of our refuges are adjusting hunting quotas, delaying their hunting season opener or closing hunting this year. Below is a summary of...
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
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Sacramento 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. Sacramento NWR offers a wide variety of recreational activities for visitors. With a 6-mile driving tour, 2-mile walking trail, and programs like hunting and photography, there's something for everyone at the Sacramento NWR! 

Find out more about Sacramento 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:

Guides &
Checklists

Hunt
Maps:
Sacramento NWR 
COMPLEX
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 -HUNTING page
-Riv NWR HUNTING page

Sacramento NWR

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

Delevan NWR

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

Colusa NWR

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

Sutter NWR

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

Sacramento
River NWR

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

Steve Thompson
North Central Valley
WMA (Llano Seco)

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

Butte Sink WMA

 - - - -

Willow Creek/
Lurline WMA

 - - - -

 

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

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      The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is located about 70 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento and 7 miles south of the town of Willows in Glenn and Colusa Counties. The refuge consists of 10,819 acres 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

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      • 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

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      Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is best known for migratory waterfowl. Waterfowl are present September through April and numbers regularly peak at over 500,000 ducks and 250,000 geese. Sacramento NWR is an important wintering grounds for Tule Greater White-fronted Geese.  The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex provides nearly 70,000 acres of wetland, grassland, and riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       habitats for a wide array of waterfowl, shorebirds, raptors, waterbirds, songbirds, reptiles, and mammals.  The Complex currently supports nearly 300 species of birds.

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

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