The Sacramento NWRC is a great place for photographers of all ages and skills. The Auto Tours and trails provide excellent photographic opportunities. With the changing seasons and wide range of habitats, the Complex provides a wealth of images for you to find. In addition, there are 4 photography blinds that are available by reservation only (see below for more information).
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Locations to Visit (by time of year):
October - February: Sacramento NWR, Colusa NWR and the Llano Seco Unit provide great opportunities to photograph large flocks of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors along the Auto Tours and trails, as well as sandhill cranes near the Llano Seco Unit. North-facing observation decks provide incredible access to up-close viewing with perfect lighting from the south. These areas are open year-round, but provide the best photography/viewing from October - February.
- Sacramento NWR Visitor Area Brochure (pdf)
- Colusa NWR Visitor Area Brochure (pdf)
- Llano Seco Unit Visitor Area Brochure (pdf)
February 15 - June 30: seasonal trails within the hunt areas of Sacramento and Sutter NWRs are open from February 15 - June 30 to provide additional opportunities for wildlife observation and photography. Visitors may utilize some of the in-ground, concrete hunting blinds on Sacramento NWR on a first-come basis. The seasonal trails on Sacramento NWR (referred to as the Logan Creek Trails) often have beautiful shows of vernal pool wildflowers in the spring, and the trails on Sutter NWR provide access to a riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian corridor visited by migrant songbirds.
- Sacramento NWR Logan Creek Trails Brochure (pdf)
- Sutter NWR Seasonal Trails Brochure (pdf)
March 15 - September 10: a seasonal 1.5-mile loop is open from March 15 - September 10 on the Sacramento NWR Auto Tour (referred to as the Pool 2 Loop). This provides summer photography opportunities including nesting grebes and ruddy ducks. The Pool 2 Loop is closed to bikes, has limited passing areas, and visitors must stay in their vehicles.
-Sacramento NWR Visitor Area Brochure (pdf)
Year-Round: trails on seven of the units of the Sacramento River NWR provide great opportunities to see migrant songbirds and resident mammals in riparian forest and grasslands throughout all seasons.
- Sacramento River NWR Brochures
The Visitor Areas of Sacramento NWR, Colusa NWR and the Llano Seco Unit are also open year-round, but are generally quiet during the summer months when seasonal ponds are dry (find links to their brochures above).
Photography Blinds
The Complex has four photography blinds that are AVAILABLE BY RESERVATION ONLY and are generally available from mid-October through March.
Photography Blind Guidelines ...please visit our Photography Blind Guidelines page for specific information on:
- reservations
- fees
- access
Sacramento NWR Blind #1
The Sacramento NWR Blind #1 has interior dimensions of 5’ deep x 6 3/4’ wide x 6 1/2’ high and accommodates two persons. Has an adjustable camera size openings in three sides. Adjustable shelves which can be used for camera mounts are present in the blind. There is one swivel chair and a can of wasp spray. Tree snags and islands have been placed to encourage birds to perch or rest within range of a 400‐500 mm lens
Sacramento NWR Blind #2
The Sacramento NWR blind #2 has interior dimensions of 5' deep x 6 3/4' wide x 6 1/2' high and accommodates two persons. A levee to blind #2 allows access for people using wheel-chairs. Blind has an adjustable camera size openings in three sides. Adjustable shelves which can be used for camera mounts are present in the blind. There is one swivel chair and a can of wasp spray in each blind. Tree snags and islands have been placed to encourage birds to perch or rest within range of a 400-500 mm lens.
Colusa NWR Blind #3
Blind #3 at Colusa NWR has interior dimensions of 5’deep X 6’ wide X 5’ high at the front and 4.5’ at the back. It has three sets of openings on each side and the front. There are no adjustable shelves for use as camera mounts so photographers should bring a tripod or bean bag to use. There are two folding chairs and a can of wasp spray in the blind. Tree snags and logs have been placed in the water about 30‐50 feet from the blind to provide sites for water birds and turtles to use.
Delevan NWR Blind #4
Blind #4 at Delevan NWR is 5’ deep X 6 3/4’ wide X 6 1/2’ high. A levee to the blind allows access for people using wheel‐chairs. It has three sets of openings in the front and sides. Four adjustable shelves which can be used for camera mounts are present in the blind. There is a swivel chair and a can of wasp spray in the blind. Tree snags and logs have been placed to encourage birds to perch or rest 30‐50 feet from the blind.
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