Updated August 13, 2024
ALERTS:
- VISITOR CENTER CLOSURE: Due to ongoing HVAC issues, our Visitor Center is closed. Bathrooms (located outside the visitor center building) will continue to be open and available to visitors.
- PHOTORAPHY BLIND PROGRAM: Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to offer use of our photo blinds for the 2024-2025 season. We appreciate your patience and support as we work towards creative solutions for 2025-26. General information about the Photo Blind Program when it is operational can be found on our Photography page, and additional questions about this decision have been answered in the comments of our Facebook post about it on August 12.
- HUNTER OUTREACH MEETING: The California Department of Fish and Wildlife, along with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be holding an online outreach meeting on Tuesday, August 27 from 4-6pm to take comments and recommendations regarding State Wildlife Area and Federal Refuge hunting programs in the Northern Sacramento Valley. Please see our News page for further information.
- DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSEMENT: As part of the Big Notch Project, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to issue a short-term special use permit to the California Department of Water Resources to allow for increased flows on properties in the Yolo Bypass where the Service has conservation easements. The Draft Environmental Assessment and Compatibility Determinations are available for public review until August 25, 2024. Please see our News page for further information.
Visit Us
Welcome to Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area!
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex: Sacramento NWR, Delevan NWR, Colusa NWR, Sutter NWR, Sacramento River NWR, Llano Seco Unit (STNCV WMA), Butte Sink WMA, Willow Creek-Lurline WMA. Butte Sink WMA primarily consists of properties that are privately-owned and 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 , and therefore DOES NOT HAVE ANY LANDS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
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! Or use the quicklinks, below...
VISITOR CENTERAUTO TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHYHUNTING-WATERFOWLHunting-RiverMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Although the Butte Sink WMA is not open to the public, you can take a quick virtual tour to learn about what makes it special: Click here to view images, maps, and information about Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area.
Other Facilities in the Complex
Butte Sink 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).
Locations
For Hours, Directions and Contact Information for Sacramento NWR Complex Headquarters, please see our Plan Your Visit page