Updated August 7, 2025 - 12:30 PM
On-going Construction at Sacramento NWR
The entrance road, visitor center parking lot, and north-side walking trails will be under construction June 16 through mid-October. When the refuge is open to the public, thank you for driving slowly, following all flaggers directing traffic, and honoring any closures while this important work is completed this summer into fall. Read more about this project in our Press Release from Project Leader Sharon Vaughn. What's currently open (as of 8/7/2025):
- Entrance road, parking lot and bathrooms at the Visitor Center, and Auto Tour. Watch for flaggers and redirected traffic.
- North-side (compacted gravel) and south-side (vegetated) walking trails, accessed from the Visitor Center Parking lot or kiosk parking lot upon entering the refuge.
- Visitor Center will be open on Fridays 9am-4pm, unless otherwise noted.
Partial Walking Trail Closure at Sacramento NWR
Starting the week of August 18, the north-side compacted gravel walking trail will be closed to the public while construction crews replace the walking surface. This project is expected to be completed by mid-October. The south-side vegetated walking trail will remain open.
Temporary Closure of Visitor Center at Sacramento NWR
The Visitor Center will be closed on Friday August 22 and August 29 while our interpretive displays get installed. The bathrooms will remain open (accessed from outside the visitor center).
Upcoming CDFW + USFWS online outreach meeting regarding hunt programs
Read more on our News page for how to participate. The meeting will be August 25 from 4-6pm.
Sheep grazing at Pine Creek Unit (Sacramento River NWR)
Sheep are grazing Pine Creek unit mid-July through mid-August to help manage weeds. This is a reminder that dogs must be kept on leash and on the trail at all refuge units (see Rules and Policies). Learn more about the Complex's grazing opportunities.
Starting March 14, 2022, CalTrans began construction on the new Butte City Bridge at the Sul Norte and Codora Units. A new bridge and causeway is being constructed adjacent to the existing structures, after which the old structures will be demolished. The Sul Norte and Codora Units will continue to be open to the public through the current parking lot, although road and trail access may be temporarily re-routed to accommodate construction activity. The SAFETY ZONE adjacent the bridge has been expanded by 150 feet during the construction project - please follow all signs in the field.
Dairy Fire burn area is re-opened to public access - The area that was closed in June 2021 due to the Dairy Fire has been re-opened after hazard tree removal has been completed. The Dairy Fire affected the southern portion of the La Barranca Unit, the western portion of the Todd Island Unit, and the northern portion of the Mooney Unit. Please continue to use caution when visiting this area as tree health may continue to change over time.
Visit Us
Welcome to Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge!
Sacramento River NWR offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors across its 24 units that are open to the public: hunting, fishing, hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing.
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, like recreational opportunities, what to expect, hours and directions, accessibility, passes and permits, rules and policies, local and contact information. Or jump straight to your favorite activity using these quick links:
VISITOR CENTERAUTO TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHY Hunting-RiverHUNTING-WaterfowlRiver Units SummaryMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Sacramento River National Wildlife is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex:
Location and Contact Information
About Us
The Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It is located along a 80-mile stretch of the Sacramento River between Red Bluff and Princeton, in Tehama, Butte, Glenn and Colusa Counties. The refuge's 30 properties or Units total 10,353 acres, and consist primarily of restored and remnant riparian riparian
Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.
Learn more about riparian habitats, but also include grasslands and some orchards.
Click on the link below to learn more about us!
What We Do
- Resource Management
To help plants and wildlife, Refuge staff uses a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values. Refuge staff carefully consider any management techniques and employ them in varying degrees according to the situation.
- Conservation and Partnerships
The Complex is involved in many conservation endeavors, including Comprehensive Conservation Plans, Private Landowner Programs, and the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act.
Click on the link below to learn more about what we do!
Our Organization
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997:The NWRS Improvement Act defines a unifying mission for all refuges, including a process for determining compatible uses on refuges, and requiring that each refuge be managed according to a CCP. The NWRS Improvement Act expressly states that wildlife conservation is the priority of System lands and that the Secretary shall ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health of refuge lands are maintained. Each refuge must be managed to fulfill the specific purposes for which the refuge was established and the System mission. The first priority of each refuge is to conserve, manage, and if needed, restore fish and wildlife populations and habitats according to its purpose.
Our Species
Several threatened, endangered, and sensitive species can be found on the Sacramento River Refuge including Chinook salmon, Valley elderberry longhorn beetle, yellow-billed cuckoos, Swainson's hawks, and bank swallows.
Click on the link below to learn more about our Seasons of Wildlife, Wildlife Checklist, Wildlife Surveys, and Our Species....