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Sacramento NWR Complex Notifications

Updated June 13, 2025 - 8:40am

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (Willows, CA): The entrance road, visitor center parking lot, and north-side walking trails will be under construction starting June 16 through mid-September. What does this mean?
- Access to the Auto Tour route may be closed for a short duration during this window (specific dates forthcoming).
- The north-side walking trails will not be available to visitors (south-side trails will not be under construction and will be accessible depending on parking lot availability).
- There may be times where getting to the bathrooms outside the visitor center won't be possible, so please use the vault toilet out on the auto tour instead during these times.

Thank you for driving slowly, following all flaggers directing traffic, and honoring any closures while this important work is completed this summer. 

Additional time-sensitive information will be shared here or on our social media pages as needed.

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.

Visit Us

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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

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      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

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      • 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.

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington,DC

      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....