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Welcome!

Click on one of the following topics to jump to that section of this page:

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  - Recreational Opportunities (what to do on each refuge)
  - What to Expect (seasons of wildlife)
  - Hours and Directions (including links to maps)
  - Passes and Permits (what you need for entry) 
  - Rules and Policies  
  - Accessibility  
  - Local Information 
  - Contact Information
 

As mentioned on other parts of our website, Sacramento NWR is the Headquarters for the Sacramento NWR Complex, and offers a visitor center with restrooms and a picnic area, auto tour, information kiosks, observation decks, trails, photography blinds (by reservation only), environmental education programs, seasonal bicycling opportunities, and hunting.

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and 3 Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This page will provide you with many options for visiting the different parts of our Complex. 

Thank you for supporting your public lands by visiting us, we hope you enjoy your time!

Recreational Opportunities 

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There are so many things to do!

Use the table (below), the left menu (computer), or the top right hamburger menu (three lines on mobile device) to navigate to the information that's most helpful for you:

What to Expect

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You can expect to see something different every time you visit the Complex, depending on the SEASON:

FALL means the return of migratory waterfowl in September, whose numbers build into the WINTER until they peak in late November and early December. Raptors follow and eagles, hawks and falcons are easy to see. In late December as new areas across the valley fill with rainwater, ducks will start to disperse while goose numbers peak, but by late January wildlife viewing of the massive flocks becomes less reliable as they move across the valley, though it is still very impressive! The arrival of SPRING means that our winter guests start to head north again to breed, and bird numbers decline and wetlands are drawn down to germinate food plants on the warming soil. Shorebirds stop by on their way north to take advantage of the shallow drawdowns. SUMMER brings irrigations to produce seed-bearing plants and support resident wildlife like mallards, Canada geese, herons, egrets, grebes, snakes, turtles, otters, rabbits, deer and many more! The refuges remain dotted with a few permanent wetlands for our year-round residents until the following FALL when flood-ups begin again to prepare for the returning migrants.

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Hours and Directions

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Our Maps, Directions & Brochures page has downloadable maps, brochures, and written out directions for the refuges, spring trails and hunter check stations.

Hunting frequently-asked-questions like hours and seasons of operation can be found on our main Hunting page, and provides additional links to special hunts, youth and junior hunts, and hunting on the Sacramento River NWR.

Passes and Permits

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What types of passes/permits, if any, are required for refuge entrance?

1. Entrance Pass = only required for the Sacramento NWR Auto Tour.  Any of the following will count as an Entrance Pass for the Auto Tour at Sacramento NWR (see table, below for purchasing information):
   1. Sacramento NWR 1-day Pass
   2. Sacramento NWR Annual Pass
   3. Sacramento NWR Commercial Vehicle Pass (buses and commercial vendors)
   4. Current Federal Duck Stamp
   5. Current America the Beautiful Pass
2. Hunt Area Type-A Pass = required for hunting areas of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs. Review hunting-specific pass and license information on our Hunting Page.  
3. Special Use Permit = required for commercial photography use, scientific research, and access to closed areas. More information can be found in the Special Use Permits section below.
4. Fee-Free = all areas or conditions not described in Numbers 1-3 above are Fee-Free.

Purchasing the Right Pass for You

Any of the following passes will grant you entrance to the Sacramento NWR Auto Tour.  Based on your needs, review the following information about the best pass for you:

Applying for Special Use Permits

Special Use Permits enable the public to engage in legitimate wildlife-related activities that would otherwise be prohibited by law. Service permit programs ensure that such activities are carried out in a manner that safeguards wildlife. Additionally, some permits promote conservation efforts by authorizing scientific research, generating data, or allowing wildlife management and rehabilitation activities to be considered.

Visit the National Wildlife Refuge System website for Special Use Permit Applications

Examples of activities that require a Special Use Permit, if deemed compatible with the USFWS Mission and the Refuge Purpose and approved by the refuge manager, could include:

• Commercial filming (audio, video, photographic products of monetary value)
• Commercial guided tours/trips for hunting, fishing, bird watching, photography or other outdoor activities
• Research and monitoring activities by students, universities, or other non-FWS organizations
• Large wildlife-oriented organized events (birding, wildlife watching, festivals).  
• Activities not allowed at the Sacramento NWR Complex: Private events such as weddings, memorials and parties.
   

For more information contact: [email protected] or 530-934-2801

Rules and Policies

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Visitors to National Wildlife Refuges must comply with all applicable local, State, and Federal regulations and signs. All areas of the Sacramento NWR are closed to public entry unless otherwise explicitly posted as an auto tour route, nature trail, hunting area, or parking area. Some areas are closed seasonally and are posted as such.

Auto Tours, Trails and Bicycling:

For information about the dos and don'ts of Auto Tours, Trails and Bicycling, visit our Auto Tours, Trails & Bicycling Page.

Hunting:

Hunting is allowed in designated areas of Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, and Sacramento River NWR with appropriate licenses and permits. Please see our Sacramento NWR Complex Hunting and Sacramento River NWR Hunting pages for more information.

Fishing:

Fishing is only permitted on Packer Lake (Sacramento River NWR) and on the Sacramento River. Follow state regulations.

Closed Zones:

National Wildlife Refuges were created for wildlife. Areas throughout the refuge are designated as closed or restricted-use areas to protect wildlife or for public safety. Please read and adhere to the regulations identified by signs. 

• OPEN: Areas open to public use will be posted as such. Road entrances to public use areas have a large brown refuge sign, open gate, and posted hours. Areas open to the public include designated Auto Tour Routes, Nature Trails, and Parking Lots. Areas open to the public are listed on the refuge public use maps, available on the Maps, Directions & Brochures page. Public use areas are Day Use Only.
• CLOSED: Areas closed to the public include all property that is not explicitly posted as an area open to the public. Closed area boundaries are posted along accessible areas with signs that may list the following: “UNAUTHORIZED ENTRY PROHIBITEDâ€�; “AREA BEYOND THIS SIGN CLOSED All public entry prohibited.â€� Visitors must stay out of posted closed areas. Visitors that enter posted closed areas are trespassing and are subject to law enforcement action including citations. 

Dogs/Pets:

Dogs are allowed where visitors are allowed. Dogs must be on-leash (no more than 6 feet long) while on trails or parking lots, except for authorized hunting activities under the immediate control of a licensed hunter. Owners/handlers are responsible for picking up and disposing of dog droppings on trails and in parking lots. National Wildlife Refuges provide habitat for native wildlife. Pets (including waterfowl) are not allowed to be released on the refuge.

Camping and Fires:

Camping is not permitted on the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with the exception of the following: 

1. On the Sacramento River, camping is permitted on gravel bars for up to 7 days during a 30 day period
2. For waterfowl hunting, an overnight stay is permitted inside a vehicle or RV in designated areas; tents are prohibited. No person may build or maintain fires except for the use of portable gas stoves on Sacramento River gravel bars and in Hunter Check Station parking lots. 

Summary of Permitted Activities: 

• Use of posted Auto Tour Routes (Sacramento NWR, Colusa NWR)
• Use of posted Nature Trails (Sacramento NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit)
• Use of posted Hunt Areas within approved hunting season (Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR) - see the Hunting Rules and Regulations section on our Hunting page
• Use of posted Parking Lots
• Pets on leash when outside vehicle
• Day use only
• Bicycling only in designated areas (see our Bicycling section) May 15 - August 15
• Special Activities, ONLY by pre-approved Special Use Permits (see our Passes and Permits section): research activities, commercial activities (filming, photography, guided tours), large wildlife-oriented events (birding, wildlife watching, festivals)

Summary of Prohibited Activities:

All areas of the refuges are closed to public entry unless explicitly posted as a public-use area. Visitors must comply with all posted rules and regulations, in addition to what is listed below. Except where otherwise permitted/posted:

• No trespassing in posted closed areas
• No entry behind closed gates or fences
• No night use
• No large private events (weddings, memorials, parties, sporting events)
• No travel off of designated public use road or trail
• No parking outside of designated parking lots
• No pedestrian travel on Auto Tour Routes (except at Park-and-Stretch areas)
• No standing through sunroof, hanging from windows, sitting in truck bed in a moving vehicle
• No pets off leash when outside of vehicles
• No dog field trials or dog training that involves being off-leash
• No abandonment of wild or domestic animals
• No horseback riding
• No camping
• No fires or open flame cooking grills
• No weapons (except shotguns used during lawful hunting activities as authorized by permit)
• No discharge of firearms (except during lawful hunting activities as authorized by permit)
• No take, disturbance or collection of wildlife or plants
• No search for, or removal of, objects of antiquity or other valued objects
• No prospecting or mining
• No littering
• No removal of any property from refuge
• No feeding wildlife
• No spotlighting
• No interference with persons engaged in authorized activities
• No alcohol or illegal drugs, including marijuana
• No use or overflight of drones

Accessibility

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The Complex is committed to providing equal opportunities for all of our visitors:

• All tour routes, platforms, and public buildings have access for people with disabilities.
• The north loop of the Wetland Walk Trail (Sacramento NWR) is wheelchair accessible.
• The restrooms at Sacramento and Colusa NWRs and the Llano Seco Unit are accessible.
• For information on hunting, see our Junior, Mobility-Impaired and Special Hunting page.

Local Information

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The surrounding communities offer a variety of amenities for visitors. Visit the following webpages for more information about restaurants, lodging, and other activities.
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â€� Local California State Parks with camping:  and 
â€� Local California Department of Fish and Wildlife Areas (no camping permitted): , , , and 

Weather

The weather in the Sacramento Valley can range from extreme heat (100+) in the summer to dense fog or blustery winds in the winter. Often there is spotted fog in the Valley. Check your local news stations to determine what to expect or check the (search Willows, CA or by zip code: 95988).

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Contact Us

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Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988
Phone: 530-934-2801
TTY: 711
email: [email protected]

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