National wildlife refuge

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is a 10,819-acre national wildlife refuge in Colusa County, California, established in 1937, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Entrance is $6 per vehicle. Hours: Trail system open February 15 through June 30 only; auto tour and visitor center hours posted at refuge, every day of the year.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Brocken Inaglory, CC BY-SA 3.0

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge map

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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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 Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge: Trail system open February 15 through June 30 only; auto tour and visitor center hours posted at refuge, every day of the year.
Yes. Entrance to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is $6 per vehicle.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento 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, Sacramento NWR Auto Tour (6 miles).

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Hours at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge: Trail system open February 15 through June 30 only; auto tour and visitor center hours posted at refuge, every day of the year.

Entrance to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is $6 per vehicle.

  • Sacramento NWR Visitor Center752 County Road 99W, Willows, CA 95988530-934-2801

What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Auto tour route

  • Sacramento NWR Auto Tour6 miOne-way loop with pullouts; brochure and map at visitor center

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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Sacramento 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/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

  • Logan Creek Trail(easy)Seasonal trail system February 15-June 30; in-ground photo blinds may require waders
  • Wetland Walk Trail (North)(easy)Seasonal trail system February 15-June 30; in-ground photo blinds may require waders
  • Wetland Walk Trail (South)(easy)Seasonal trail system February 15-June 30; in-ground photo blinds may require waders

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Places on the refuge

  • OverlookSacramento NWR observation platformViewing platform along the auto tour route

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Willows
  • 90 miles from Sacramento

Source: fws.gov/refuge/sacramento/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.