UPDATED April 18, 2024:
ALERTS:
PHONES: our phone system is currently down. Please reach out via email if you need to reach us: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov
Visit Us
Welcome to the Llano Seco Unit of the Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area!
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is just one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This WMA is primarily composed of privately-owned properties under conservation easement conservation easement
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or qualified conservation organization that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on a property in the future. Conservation easements aim to protect habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife by limiting residential, industrial or commercial development. Contracts may prohibit alteration of the natural topography, conversion of native grassland to cropland, drainage of wetland and establishment of game farms. Easement land remains in private ownership.
Learn more about conservation easement , but does have one Service-owned property that is open to the public: the Llano Seco Unit. Located about 10 miles southwest of the city of Chico in Butte County, the Llano Seco Unit offers opportunities for photography, wildlife viewing and a 1-mile trail.
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 AND PERMITS
• RULES AND POLICIES
• ACCESSIBILITY
• DIRECTIONS
• OTHER LOCAL INFORMATION
Other Facilities in the Complex
The Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is managed as part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with headquarters at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge 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).
Rules and Policies
Plan Your Visit <-- Please see the Rules and Policies section on our Plan Your Visit page
Locations
Llano Seco Unit Viewing Platforms and Walking Trail:
Traveling south on I-5:
- exit at Hwy 32 at Orland
- go 10 miles east on Hwy 32
- go 8 miles south on Hwy 45
- go 5.7 miles east on Ord Ferry Rd
- go 2.1 miles south on Seven Mile Ln
- turn right into Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMA/ Llano Seco Unit parking lot
- Click here for a map with directions
Traveling north on I-5:
- exit at Road 68 (9.1 miles north of Maxwell)
- go 4 miles north on Hwy 99W
- go 9.6 miles east on Road 60/61 to Four Corners
- continue 5 miles east on Hwy 162
- go 10.8 miles north on County Rd Z/Seven Mile Ln
- turn left into Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMA/ Llano Seco Unit parking lot
- Click here for a map with directions