Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Welcome!

On this page, you'll find information to PLAN YOUR VISIT: 

  - 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
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RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

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There are so many things to do!  

Jump to your favorite activities with the links below, or scroll down to see activities listed by-refuge....

VISITOR CENTERAUTO TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHYHUNTING-WATERFOWLHunting-RiverMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

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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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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
2. Hunt Area Type A Pass = required for hunting areas of Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa and Sutter NWRs....please see our Hunting Page for more information
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/conditions not described in #1-3 above are Fee-Free

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PASSES/PERMITS OVERVIEW:

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HOW TO ACQUIRE PASSES:

Purchasing a Sacramento NWR 1-Day Pass, Sacramento NWR Annual Pass, and/or Sacramento NWR Commercial Vehicle Pass

Sacramento NWR collects a day-use fee to help pay for visitor facilities. 100% of these fees stay on the Complex and are used for educational programs, sign improvements, kiosks, platforms and other visitor facilities.

How and Where to Purchase a Refuge 1-Day or Annual Pass:  

1. Online prior to arrival via Rec Access webpage. Heads up: Rec Access requires setting up an account, which takes ~5 minutes.
   1. We encourage everyone to purchase their pass online ahead of time if they know they're going to be stopping by.
2. Use the QR Code at the Sacramento NWR Entrance Fee Station (requires a smartphone to connect with Rec Access webpage  ). 
    

Annual passes will be mailed to you, so the receipt from Rec Access is valid to visit the Sacramento NWR. No need to print the receipt if you keep a copy on your phone.
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Purchasing a Federal Duck Stamp

• Holders of a current Federal Duck Stamp ($25) are able to access all NWRs for free. The stamp is valid from July 1 through June 30 of each year. 
• Junior Duck Stamps are $5 and support waterfowl education for students. 
• Both the Federal and Junior Duck Stamps are available at the Visitor Center or on the Rec Access webpage.

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Purchasing an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass

America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes are valid on all federal lands, including those managed by:

• National Park Service
• US Fish and Wildlife Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• Bureau of Reclamation
• US Forest Service
• US Army Corps of Engineers

America the Beautiful Annual Passes are available for anyone online through the USGS Recreational Passes webpage or at the Visitor Center, when open and if available (payable by check only):

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Purchasing a Hunt Area Type-A Pass

• Purchase Type-A Hunt Area Passes ONLINE or at any CDFW License Sales Office or License Agent
• Note: special licenses/validations/stamps are also required...please see our Hunting Page for more information

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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: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov or 530-934-2801

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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: 

While on Auto Tour Routes (Sacramento NWR and Colusa NWR):

• Visitors must stay inside their vehicle except at designated Park-and-Stretch areas.  Motorcyclists/bicyclists must remain on their vehicle except at Park-and-Stretch area.
• Visitors must remain seated when their vehicle is in motion.  Hanging out of windows and sunroofs is prohibited when vehicle is in motion, but is permissible when vehicle is parked.
• Sitting in the bed of a truck is prohibited except at Park-and-Stretch areas
• Vehicles may not park or travel in the wrong direction 
• Speed Limit is 15 mph
• Walking along the Auto Tour is prohibited
• Dogs are permitted but must remain in vehicle, except at Park-and-Stretch areas where they must be on leash
• Bicycles are prohibited except from May 15- August 15.  Bicycles are never permitted on the Pool 2 Extension.  Dismounting from bicycles is prohibited except at designated Park-and-Stretch areas.
• Drones are prohibited on all USFWS property
• Consumption of alcohol/marijuana is prohibited on all USFWS property
• These are citable offenses with fines up to $275.

Speed: 

The on-refuge speed limit is 15 mph.

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 – follow the “MAPS” tab on the right side of this web 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 PROHIBITED”; “AREA BEYOND THIS SIGN CLOSED All public entry prohibited.” 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. 

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.

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. 

Fishing:

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

Bicycles:

Bicycling is only permitted on the following areas from May 15 - August 15: 

1. Sacramento NWR Auto Tour (Bicycling not permitted on Pool 2 Extension Loop) and Colusa NWR Auto Tour.
2. Sacramento River NWR trails of the following units: Rio Vista, Pine Creek, Capay, Sul Norte, Packer, and Drumheller. 

See our Bicycling section for more information.  

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

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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.

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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. Camping is not permitted on the Complex.
• Willows Chamber of Commerce
• Colusa County Chamber of Commerce (including the Colusa-Sacramento River SRA)
• Chico Chamber of Commerce
•Orland Chamber of Commerce
• Black Butte Lake National Recreation Area  (offers camping)
• Mendocino National Forest
• Local California State Parks with camping: Colusa-Sacramento SRA and Woodson Bridge SRA
• Local California Department of Fish and Wildlife Areas (no camping permitted): Upper Butte Basin WA, Colusa Bypass WA, Gray Lodge WA, and Sutter Bypass WA

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 National Weather Service (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: sacramentovalleyrefuges@fws.gov

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