Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is a 5,077-acre national wildlife refuge in Colusa County, California, established in 1945, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is no entrance fee. Hours: Auto tour and trail 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset, every day of the year.
Check current closures and fire restrictions for Colusa National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge map
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
Fire restrictions
Fire restrictions change with the season and can start or lift within days. Check the current orders for this area before any campfire, stove, smoking, target shooting or off-road driving.
Common questions
- Yes. Hours at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge: Auto tour and trail 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset, every day of the year.
- No. There is no entrance fee at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.
- Yes. Hunting is allowed on Colusa National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
- Yes. Fishing is allowed on Colusa National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
- Yes. Dogs are allowed on Colusa National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
- Yes. The refuge has an auto tour route, Colusa NWR Auto Tour Route (3 miles).
Hours, fees, and visitor center
Hours at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge: Auto tour and trail 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset, every day of the year.
There is no entrance fee at Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.
What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.
Sources: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29; fws.gov/refuge/colusa/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Auto tour route
- Colusa NWR Auto Tour Route3 mi
Source: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Wildlife
- BirdWaterfowlWhen: winterPeak concentrations during Pacific Flyway migration
- BirdShorebirdsWhen: spring and fallMudflats and shallow wetlands during migration
Hunting
Hunting is allowed on Colusa National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
Hunting rules for Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Source: fws.gov/refuge/colusa/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Fishing and boating
Fishing is allowed on Colusa National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/colusa/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on Colusa National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/colusa/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Trails
- Native Garden TrailShort wetland and native garden trails near the visitor contact station
- Wetlands Discovery TrailShort wetland and native garden trails near the visitor contact station
Source: fws.gov/refuge/colusa/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Places on the refuge
- OverlookObservation deckOn the auto tour
Source: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Colusa
- 65 miles from Sacramento
Source: fws.gov/refuge/colusa/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
- State parkColusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area is 2 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/colusa (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1356 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/colusa/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/colusa/about-us (accessed 2026-09-29)