Updated May 13, 2025 - 1:30pm
- Starting the week of May 19, the Visitor Center at Sacramento NWR will be open on Fridays only (subject to change, closed on all Federal Holidays). The restrooms, auto tour, and trails remain open one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.
Visit Us
Welcome to Sutter National Wildlife Refuge!
Sutter NWR offers limited Seasonal Trails and Hunting.
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, like recreational opportunities, what to expect, hours and directions, accessibility, passes and permits, rules and policies, local and contact information. Or jump straight to your favorite activity using these quick
VISITOR CENTERAUTO TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHYHUNTING-WATERFOWLHunting-RiverMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Sutter National Wildlife is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex:
Location and Contact Information
About Us
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It is located about 50 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento and about 12 miles southwest of Yuba City in Sutter County. The refuge consists of about 2,591 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
- 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.
Our Species
Sutter NWR regularly supports peak wintering populations of over 150,000 ducks and 70,000 geese. The mixed riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian forest habitat on the refuge is also important for breeding and migrating passerine birds, and supports a large heron/egret rookery. The refuge provides habitat for several Federal and State endangered and threatened species, including giant garter snake, Chinook salmon, yellow-billed cuckoo, and Swainson's hawk.
Click on the link below to learn more about our Seasons of Wildlife, Wildlife Checklist, Wildlife Surveys, and Our Species....