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SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX ALERTS

Updated July 25, 2024

ALERTS: 

  • RED FLAG WARNING: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Red Flag Warning for parts of the Sacramento Valley from 1pm July 25 through 11pm July 26. From the NWS: "A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior." 
    Visit NWS's forecast page for the Sacramento NWR for up-to-date info on the Red Flag Warning.
     
  • AUTO TOUR CLOSURE: The Sacramento NWR Auto Tour Route will be closed to all visitors for roadwork and maintenance Monday July 28 through Thursday August 1. Thank you for your understanding while we complete this important work.
     
  • WE ARE HIRING: GS-12 Supervisory Wildland Firefighter (Fire Management Officer). Application window extended to Friday August 9. More info on our Get Involved page!
     

CDFW Soliciting Recommendations for Sacramento Valley Wildlife Areas and Federal Refuges: 

  • The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), will hold an online outreach meeting to take comments and recommendations regarding hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley from licensed hunters. The meeting will include updates on habitat conditions, availability of water for wetlands, Avian Influenza, and hunting access opportunities.
  • State lands to be discussed include the Gray Lodge and Upper Butte Basin wildlife areas including the Little Dry Creek, Howard Slough, and Llano Seco units. Federal refuge personnel will also be available to speak about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex including Delevan, Sacramento, Colusa, and Sutter NWRs.
  • The meeting will be held using Microsoft Teams from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Please email Gray Lodge Wildlife Area at glwla@wildlife.ca.gov for a link and instructions on how to submit comments and questions.
  • CDFW annually provides an opportunity for licensed hunters to comment and make recommendations on public hunting programs, including anticipated habitat conditions in the hunting areas on Type A wildlife areas through public meetings and outreach.

Public Review of Draft Environmental Assessment and Compatibility Determinations - Big Notch Project Special Use Permit

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to issue a short-term special use permit to the California Department of Water Resources to allow for increased flows on properties in the Yolo Bypass where the Service has conservation easements. These easements are part of the Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area. The increased flows are for the purpose of implementing the Yolo Bypass Salmonid Habitat Restoration and Fish Passage Project.  

A draft environmental assessment (EA) and compatibility determinations (CDs) evaluating the proposed issuance of the permit are now available for public review (links below). The EA and CDs are available for public review through August 25, 2024. Comments may be submitted by email to: fw8plancomments@fws.gov. In the subject line of the email, please indicate “Big Notch Project Special Use Permit.” 

Visit Us

Welcome to Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge!   

Sacramento River National Wildlife is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex:  Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit (STNCV WMA), Butte Sink WMA, Willow Creek-Lurline WMA.  Sacramento River NWR offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors across its 24 units that are open to the public: hunting, fishing, hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing.

There are LOTS of recreational opportunities across the Complex, including a Visitor Center, Auto Tours, trails, bicycling, photography, hunting and environmental education.

VISIT US!  <-- Click here to find all the information you need to plan your visit!  Or use the quicklinks, below...

VISITOR CENTERAUTO TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHY Hunting-RiverHUNTING-WaterfowlRiver Units SummaryMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Trails

Auto Tours and Trails  <-- Please click here for CURRENT MAPS and INFORMATION about all of our Trails!

Other Facilities in the Complex

The Sacramento River NWR is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The Complex is comprised of 5 National Wildlife Refuges (Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter and Sacramento River NWRs) and 3 Wildlife Management Areas (Willow Creek-Lurline, Butte Sink and Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMAs). Sacramento NWR, located near Willows, CA, serves as the headquarters for the Complex. Find out more about each Refuge or Wildlife Management Area below. 

Large flock of Ross's and snow geese in flight against a blue sky
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Sacramento NWR 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...
National Wildlife Refuge
six pintails in a courtship flight
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Delevan NWR is mostly closed to the public, but does offer hunting and limited photography.
National Wildlife Refuge
flock of dunlin and dowitchers in flight above wetland surface
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR 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.
National Wildlife Refuge
white-fronted geese standing in pond with reeds in background
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Sutter NWR is located about 50 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento, and offers limited wildlife viewing, hunting, and seasonal trails.
National Wildlife Refuge
black tailed deer in grass with white geese flying in background
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
SACRAMENTO RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Sacramento River NWR is made up of 30 different units that lie between Red Bluff and Princeton. Twenty-four of the units are partially or entirely open to the public, providing a variety of hiking...
National Wildlife Refuge
eight sandhill cranes stand in a shallow wetland with grasses in the background
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Steve Thompson NCV WMA consists primarily of conservation easements on privately-owned wetlands, but also includes one 1,732-acre, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned property known as the Llano...
National Wildlife Refuge
ducks and geese flying in air and in water. mountains in background
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Butte Sink WMA does not have any lands open to the public. Most of the Butte Sink WMA consists of privately-owned properties under conservation easement. One property, known as the Butte Sink Unit, is owned by the U.S....
National Wildlife Refuge
ducks and geese mostly in water with 9 flying. trees in background
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Willow Creek-Lurline WMA consists solely of privately-owned properties under conservation easement, and therefore has no public access.
National Wildlife Refuge

Locations

Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge

For Hours, Directions and Contact Information, please see our Plan Your Visit page