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).
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.
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).
NOTICE (August 12, 2024): SNWR Complex Photography Blind Program will be unavailable for the 2024-25 season
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to offer use of our photo blinds this season. We appreciate your patience and support as we work towards creative solutions for 2025-26.
Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season - Blind #1 is located at Sacramento NWR, and is accessed using a submerged gravel path that is marked by stakes (waders are necessary). A small pram/boat is available to float camera equipment out to the blind. The blind has interior dimensions of 5’ deep x 6 3/4’ wide x 6 1/2’ high and accommodates two persons. There are adjustable camera-sized openings in three sides, and adjustable shelves which can be used for camera mounts. 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
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Sacramento NWR Blind #2 - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season - Blind #2 is located at Sacramento NWR, and is accessed using a land-based path and is wheel-chair accessible. It has interior dimensions of 5' deep x 6 3/4' wide x 6 1/2' high and accommodates two persons. There are adjustable camera-sized openings in three sides, and adjustable shelves which can be used for camera mounts. 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.
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Colusa NWR Blind #3 - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season - Blind #3 is located at Colusa NWR and is access using a submerged gravel path that is marked by stakes (waders are necessary). A small pram/boat is available to float camera equipment out to the blind. The blind 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.
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Delevan NWR Blind #4 - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season - Blind #4 is located at Delevan NWR, and is accessed using a land-based path and is wheel-chair accessible. It 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, and four adjustable shelves which can be used for camera mounts. 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.
NOTICE (August 12, 2024): SNWR Complex Photography Blind Program will be unavailable for the 2024-25 season
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to offer use of our photo blinds this season. We appreciate your patience and support as we work towards creative solutions for 2025-26.
Temporarily unavailable for the 2024-25 season - The Photography Blinds at Sacramento NWR Complex are available only through RESERVATION:
Reservations are granted for a RESERVATION WEEK, which runs from Wednesday through Sunday
During an awarded RESERVATION WEEK, a photographer may schedule a maximum of 2 visits
Please read the entire set of guidelines BEFORE submitting a request AND prior to using the blind! With a large number of applicants and few choices available, these guidelines have been created to allow everyone to have the opportunity to use the blinds. Photographers that consistently do not follow the rules (example: not showing up on time to a blind, not informing us of their cancellation, late payments, etc.) will lose their next opportunity to use a photography blind.
I. Photography Blind Date Ranges 2024-2025 - Temporarily unavailable for the 2024-25 season
Below are the date ranges** during which the Photography Blinds are estimated to be available this season:*NOTE - blind availability is subject to change at any time due to unforeseen conditions **NOTE - conditions may change and fewer, or extra, dates may be available
Sacramento NWR Blind #1: month day, 2025 - month day, 2026 (flood-up anticipated to begin xx/xx/25)
Sacramento NWR Blind #2: month day, 2025 - month day, 2026 (flood-up anticipated to begin xx/xx/25)
Colusa NWR Blind #3: month day, 2025 - month day, 2026 (flood-up anticipated to begin xx/xx/25)
Delevan NWR Blind #4: month day, 2025 - month day, 2026 (flood-up anticipated to begin xx/xx/25)
Anticipated Photography Blind Availability – 2024-2025 - Temporarily unavailable for the 2024-25 season Dry = unit not yet flooded up Flood-up = unit in process of flooding up Closed = unit closed for season Blank = anticipated to be available for reservation Reserved = reservation in place
Reservation Week (Wed-Sun)
Blind #1 (Sacramento NWR P1A.3)
Blind #2 (Sacramento NWR P6.2)
Blind #3 (Colusa NWR T1.3)
Blind #4 (Delevan NWR T6)
October 2-6
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
October 9-13
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
October 16-20
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
October 23-27
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
October 30-November 3
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
November 6-10
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
November 13-17
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
November 20-24
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
November 27- December 1
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
December 4-8
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
December 11-15
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
December 18-22
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
December 25-29
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
January 1-5
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
January 8-12
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
January 15-19
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
January 22-26
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
January 29- February 2
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
February 5-9
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
February 12-16
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
February 19-23
Closed
Closed
Closed
Closed
II. Photography Blind Reservation Process - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
- Photographers may receive up to two photography blind Reservation Weeks (Wednesday through Sunday) in a season. - Reservations can be made by: A) applying for the Lottery drawing, B) signing up for the First-Come First-Served list, or C) signing up for the Wait List. See below for information on how to apply:
A. Reservation Lottery - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season:
Reservation Forms - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season: Photography Blind Reservation Forms must be received between September 1 - October 1
Reservation requests may consist of up to 10 date/blind combinations in priority order. We suggest that you submit 10 options to have the best chance of receiving a reservation. You may list the week for several different blinds. Please make sure your Reservation Week (Wednesday through Sunday) requests are within the date range of availability (see I.1-4, above): if you list a date on your reservation form outside of the dates offered, you forfeit that choice on your form.
Example of how to make your request:
Choice Order
Photography Blind
Reservation Week (Wednesday through Sunday)
First Visit during Reservation Week
Second Visit during Reservation Week
1st Choice (first priority)
#1
Wednesday Dec 13 through Sunday Dec 17
Dec 14
Dec 15
2nd Choice
#1
Wednesday Nov 15 through Sunday Nov 19
Nov 18
Nov 19
3rd Choice
#3
Wednesday Nov 15 through Sunday Nov 19
Nov 18
Nov 19
Submit forms via email or mail to: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov; Sacramento NWRC, Photography Program, 752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988
Lottery Process - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season: The lottery will be held the first week of October. During the lottery, individuals are assigned a random number, which determines the order in which their blind request(s) will be processed.
The individual selected first will be given their first priority. Then the second individual, then the third, etc. The first priority date available is selected from each blind request.
After all of the applicants have received one blind assignment (their highest priority date not already assigned), the blind assignment process continues back to the beginning of the list until all applicants receive their next priority date of choice that remains or until all available dates are filled.
If all of the applicant’s date/blind choices have already been taken, they will be contacted by refuge staff about remaining available dates.
Notification: All applicants given a blind assignment will receive a confirmation form via e-mail during early to mid-October.
Fees: A $25 fee for each reservation must be paid by October 22 to confirm blind date selection (see "Payment of Photography Blind User Fee" section, below)
After the Lottery is complete, blinds become available on a First-come First-served basis (see below)
B. First-come First-served Process - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season:
Application - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season: Following the completion of the Lottery, the Anticipated Photography Blind Availability Table (see above: Photography Blind Date Ranges, Section I) will be updated after October 1 to show all reserved dates and any remaining available dates
These blinds will be available for reservation on a First-come First-served basis
Beginning October 2, photographers that missed the Lottery, or received less than 2 reservations through the lottery, may submit a Photography Blind Reservation Form (see A1, above) to be placed on the First-come First-served list.
The blind requests may consist of up to 10 date/blind combinations in priority order. See the examples in Section A, #1 above.
First-Come First-Served List - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season: Photographers’ names will be put on a list and processed chronologically by the email date/time or letter postmark.
The order of names on the list will remain until the applicants’ choices (up to two) are assigned.
The blind requests will be processed as described in Section A, above.
If all of the applicant’s date/blind choices have already been taken, they will be contacted by refuge staff about remaining available dates.
Wait List - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season: If all dates were assigned through the lottery system, then the First-come First-served list becomes the Wait List (see below) beginning October 5.
C. Wait List - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season:
A Wait List will be created if additional users would like to use a blind and no dates/blinds are available.
When a user cancels an existing reservation, refuge staff will refer to the wait list to try to fill the opening.
Wait List users will have up to 24 hours to respond back to the Refuge to reserve the photo blind. They will be contacted by email or phone.
The Wait List will have a maximum of 10 people.
III. Payment of Photography Blind User Fee - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
There is a non-refundable component to the blind user fee for all blinds: a $25 fee per Reservation Week, which includes up to 2 days of use per week (maximum 2 Reservation Weeks - $50)
Blind User Fee: Payment must be made by October 22 to confirm reservations. If a reservation is made after October 22, payment is due within 3 weeks or before the blind is used. Payment can be submitted:
Online: through RecAcess (note RecAccess charges an additional $5.00 service fee)
By check: make payable to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and send to: Sacramento NWR Complex c/o Photography Program 752 County Road 99W Willows, CA 95988
Refuge Entrance Fee:
Sacramento NWR Blinds #1 and #2 require an additional daily entrance pass, which can be in the form of:
Refuge Entrance Pass ($6 Refuge Day Pass or $12 Refuge Annual Pass: these are available at the refuge entrance kiosk. Please place this pass on your dashboard while at the refuge that day.) OR...
Federal Duck Stamp OR...
Golden Access/Age or America the Beautiful Interagency, Senior, or Access Pass.
Colusa NWR Blind #3 and Delevan NWR Blind #4 DO NOT require any additional refuge entrance fee
Cancellations: If payment for the Blind Fee is not received by October 22, all blind reservations for that individual will be cancelled and made available to the First-come First-served list
IV. Registration - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
On the photography day or day prior, photographers must pick up a "Photography Blind Folder”, which is located in a mailbox at the designated locations listed below. The folder should be placed on your vehicle’s dashboard while at the blind. The folder contains a Photography Blind Report form, directions/map to the blind, and other important information.
The folder may be picked up at the following locations:
Sacramento NWR Blind #1 - the mailbox behind the Sacramento NWR office. The mailbox is the black one labeled “Photo Blind Info Binder” located on the right of the line of mailboxes. Be sure to grab the correct folder (check your blind number).
Sacramento NWR Blind #2 - the mailbox behind the Sacramento NWR office. The mailbox is the black one labeled “Photo Blind Info Binder” located on the right of the line of mailboxes. Be sure to grab the correct folder (check your blind number).
Colusa NWR Blind #3 - the black mailbox across from the observation deck on the beginning of the Colusa auto tour
Delevan NWR Blind #4 - *please excuse us while we work on this*
It is required that all photography blind users fill in the photography blind report. This is how we keep records and improve the program. If the report is not completed the visit will be considered as a no-show and that user will have their next reservation cancelled.
V. Directions - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
Sacramento NWR Blind #1 - The blind access is from the auto tour. Drive approximately two miles on the auto tour to the parking area marked with the brown sign “Photo blind #1, By Reservation Only". Place the "Photography Blind Folder” and the refuge entrance pass on the dash of your vehicle. Look for a boat ramp on your left. At this site, a small sled is located just north of the boat ramp and is available for transporting your gear to the blind. It is typically out of view of the auto tour to prevent vandalism. Walk down the boat ramp and into the water until you see the first guide stake. Continue to each stake until you reach the blind (about 250 yards). If the sled is used, it should be hidden in the tules behind the photography blind. Please return the sled to the edge of the pond beside the boat ramp, turn it upside down to keep the inside dry and latch it to the post.
Sacramento NWR Blind #2 - Vehicle access to the blind is from the viewing platform parking area on the auto tour. From the platform parking lot, open the metal gate and close it before proceeding to the blind. Follow the road south along Logan Creek approximately 6/10 of a mile until you reach the brown sign 5 “Parking Area #2”. Place the “Photography Blind Folder” and the Refuge entrance pass on the dash of your vehicle. Look for the signs and guide stakes and follow them until you reach the access levee to the blind (about 200 yards). The road has been graveled to provide vehicle access to the parking area during the winter. Individuals using wheelchairs may drive south past the “Parking Area #2” sign to the beginning of the access levee (marked with a sign with “Photo Blind #2” and a right arrow). Do not attempt to drive down this levee to the back of the blind. Although not required, it is highly recommended that people who use a wheelchair have an able-bodied companion park their vehicle back at the “Parking Area #2” sign to reduce disturbance to wildlife using the area.
Colusa NWR Blind #3 - Vehicle access to the blind is from the Colusa NWR auto tour. A space for parking is located approximately 0.5 miles from the observation deck. It will be before the bridge and on the right (north) will be a brown sign marked “Photo blind #3, By Reservation Only”. Place the “Photography Blind Folder” on the dash of your vehicle. Proceed north on foot and follow the directional signs along the levee road (about 200 yards) until you reach a sign that will direct you into the water. At this site a small sled is available for transporting your gear to the blind. The water in this section of the pond is about 2 feet deep, so chest waders are needed. Follow the reflective markers about 150 yards to the blind. If the sled is used, it should be hidden in the cattails behind the blind. Please return the sled to the edge of the pond, turn it upside down to keep the inside dry and latch it to the post.
Delevan NWR Blind #4 - Vehicle access to the blind is from Four Mile Road on the west boundary of Delevan NWR. A space for parking marked with a sign labeled “Photo blind #4, By Reservation Only” is located at the gate on Four Mile Road. Heading south, on Four Mile Road the parking site is approximately 2 miles south of the intersection with Delevan Road. Heading north, the site is approximately 3½ miles north of Maxwell Road. Place the “Photography Blind Folder” on the dash of your vehicle. Proceed east on foot and follow the directional signs along the levee road (about 150 yards) until you reach a levee covered with plastic mats that provides entry to the blind. Individuals using wheelchairs should contact the refuge for the combination to the gate to allow vehicle access to the start of this entrance levee. Do not attempt to drive down this levee to the back of the blind. Although not required, it is highly recommended that people who use a wheelchair have an able-bodied companion park their vehicle back at the gate to reduce disturbance to wildlife using the area.
VI. Proceed to Blind - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
Photographers must be in the blind at least 1 hour before sunrise. Photographers must park in the designated parking area and proceed directly to the assigned blind on foot. Give yourself adequate time to get to the blind!
Sacramento NWR Blind #1 - the route from the parking area to the blind will be marked by stakes with reflective tape in the water. The route is designed to minimize disturbance; therefore, deviation from the staked route is not allowed. A flashlight will be needed to follow the staked route. Sometimes only one guide stake can be seen at a time. While in route to the blind, photographers may encounter deep water (waist high), ankle-deep mud, and slippery footing. Use chest waders and proceed with caution.
Sacramento NWR Blind #2 - there is an accessible walkway to the blind which does not go through the water.
Colusa NWR Blind #3 - the route from the parking area to the blind will be marked by stakes with reflective tape in the water. The route is designed to minimize disturbance; therefore, deviation from the staked route is not allowed. A flashlight will be needed to follow the staked route. Sometimes only one guide stake can be seen at a time. While in route to the blind, photographers may encounter deep water (waist high), ankle-deep mud, and slippery footing. Use chest waders and proceed with caution.
Delevan NWR Blind #4 - there is an accessible walkway to the blind which does not go through the water.
Photographers may leave the blind at any time, but once the blind has been vacated, returning to the blind is not permitted.
VII. Check Out - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
Photographers must check out of the blind by returning the "Photography Blind Folder” with a completed report form to the mailboxes.
VIII. Cancelling - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
If you will not be able to use the blind on your designated date/week, contact the refuge as soon as possible. This allows people on a waiting list to utilize the blind. No refunds are issued. Cancellations must be received by the Sacramento NWRC at the latest by noon on the Monday prior to the assigned reservation.
IX. Blind Descriptions - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
X. Weather Closure and Safety - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
Access to some blinds and the surrounding area may flood; therefore, blind use depends on road and habitat conditions. If the access road is closed due to flooding, the photo blind will also be closed. During adverse weather, it is highly recommended that photographers call before their blind assignment date to check on the blind and road conditions.
Refuge staff will contact blind users as soon as possible if there is a closure. Staff will try to provide the cancelled user a replacement opportunity if feasible.
This is a natural area, be alert! You may encounter ticks, mosquitos, wasps, yellowjackets, bees, poison hemlock, and other natural occurrences that may cause you harm.
In October and November, wasps are a normal in the blind. Staff and volunteers try to treat them and clean the blind prior but it will not be perfect! Wasps are looking for over wintering areas and congregate on structures.
Owls – you must put the wall panels back in the exact spot they came from. Owls can move into the blinds when there are small openings. They make a huge mess – no one wants to sit in that!
Use caution while wading through water or walking on roads. Surfaces may be uneven, slippery, and muddy.
XI. Checklist of helpful items to bring to the blind - Temporarily Unavailable for 2024-25 Season
ballhead or tripod head for using adjustable shelves in Blinds #1 and #2
tripod or bean bag camera rest for Blind #3
XII. Refuge reserves the right to revoke photography privileges
Anyone found to be in violation of any of the conditions in these guidelines or refuge regulations will have their photography privileges immediately revoked and will be asked to leave the area.
XIII. Additional Photographic Opportunities
The auto tour and walking trail on both Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR provide excellent photographic opportunities. Some of the photography blinds may be available for use during April – June/July, depending on habitat conditions. Please call the Sacramento NWR for current conditions and blind availability or visit the website. A portion of the hunt area is open for photography from February 15 through June 30 on Sacramento and Sutter NWRs. Visitors may utilize the existing directional blind, directional assigned pond and free roam boundary signs to access the areas. Some of the in-ground, concrete hunting blinds on Sacramento NWR will be available for photographic use from mid-February through June without the photography user fee or reservations. Maps for these areas are available on the refuge website or upon request.
