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Sacramento NWR Complex Notifications

Updated August 19, 2025 - 4:20 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. Thank you for driving slowly, following the flaggers directing traffic, and honoring any closures while this important work is completed. Read more about this project in our Press Release from Project Leader Sharon Vaughn. 

CURRENTLY OPEN / CLOSED at Sacramento NWR (please watch for flaggers and redirected traffic):

  • Entrance Road = OPEN
  • Visitor Parking Lot (at Visitor Center) = OPEN
  • Visitor Center Restrooms (building exterior) = OPEN
  • Auto Tour = OPEN
  • Wetland Walk Trails*:  North-side (compacted gravel) = OPEN;  South-side (vegetated) walking trails = OPEN;  trails can be accessed from the Visitor Center Parking lot or Entrance Road Parking lot (former fee station)
  • Visitor Center** = OPEN Fridays 9am-4pm, unless otherwise noted, below
*Partial Walking Trail Closure at Sacramento NWR

The North-side (compacted gravel) walking trail will be closed late August through mid-October 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

The meeting will be August 25 from 4-6pm. Read more on our News page for how to participate. 

Sheep grazing at Pine Creek Unit (Sacramento River NWR)

Sheep are grazing Pine Creek Unit mid-July through the end of August to help manage weeds. This is a reminder that dogs must be kept on leash on trails across all refuge units (see Rules and Policies). Learn more about the Complex's grazing opportunities.

Visit Us

Welcome to Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area!   

Butte Sink WMA primarily consists of properties that are privately-owned and under conservation easement conservation easement
A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a government agency or qualified conservation organization that restricts the type and amount of development that may take place on a property in the future. Conservation easements aim to protect habitat for birds, fish and other wildlife by limiting residential, industrial or commercial development. Contracts may prohibit alteration of the natural topography, conversion of native grassland to cropland, drainage of wetland and establishment of game farms. Easement land remains in private ownership.

Learn more about conservation easement , and therefore DOES NOT HAVE ANY LANDS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  Although the Butte Sink WMA is not open to the public, you can take a quick virtual tour to learn about what makes it special:  Click here to view images, maps, and information about Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area. 

There are LOTS of recreational opportunities on the other refuges of the Complex, including Visitor Areas, Auto Tours, trails, bicycling, photography, and hunting. 

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 TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHYHUNTING-WATERFOWLHunting-RiverMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Sacramento National Wildlife is one of the 5 National Wildlife Refuges and 3 Wildlife Management Areas that make up the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex: 

Other Facilities in the Complex

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area is managed as part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, with headquarters at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge Complex is comprised of 5 National Wildlife Refuges (Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter and Sacramento River NWRs) and 3 Wildlife Management Areas (Willow Creek-Lurline, Butte Sink and Steve Thompson North Central Valley WMAs).

Large flock of Ross's and snow geese in flight against a blue sky
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento NWR Complex and offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including wildlife viewing, photography, hiking, hunting and so much more. The Visitor Center for the Complex is located at Sacramento NWR, where you can find maps and...
National Wildlife Refuge
six pintails in a courtship flight
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge
Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Delevan NWR is mostly closed to the public, but does offer hunting and limited photography.
National Wildlife Refuge
flock of dunlin and dowitchers in flight above wetland surface
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Colusa NWR offers many visitor activities: drive the auto tour, take photos, watch wildlife, go for a hike, or take part in a waterfowl hunt.
National Wildlife Refuge
white-fronted geese standing in pond with reeds in background
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge
Sutter National Wildlife Refuge is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Sutter NWR is located about 50 miles north of the metropolitan area of Sacramento, and offers limited wildlife viewing, hunting, and seasonal trails.
National Wildlife Refuge
black tailed deer in grass with white geese flying in background
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
SACRAMENTO RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Sacramento River NWR is made up of 30 different units that lie between Red Bluff and Princeton. Twenty-four of the units are partially or entirely open to the public, providing a variety of hiking...
National Wildlife Refuge
eight sandhill cranes stand in a shallow wetland with grasses in the background
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area
Steve Thompson North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Steve Thompson NCV WMA consists primarily of conservation easements on privately-owned wetlands, but also includes one 1,732-acre, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-owned property known as the Llano...
National Wildlife Refuge
ducks and geese flying in air and in water. mountains in background
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area
Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Butte Sink WMA does not have any lands open to the public. Most of the Butte Sink WMA consists of privately-owned properties under conservation easement. One property, known as the Butte Sink Unit, is owned by the U.S....
National Wildlife Refuge
ducks and geese mostly in water with 9 flying. trees in background
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area is part of the SACRAMENTO NWR COMPLEX. Willow Creek-Lurline WMA consists solely of privately-owned properties under conservation easement, and therefore has no public access.
National Wildlife Refuge

Locations

Butte Sink Wildlife Management Area

For Hours, Directions and Contact Information for Sacramento NWR Complex Headquarters, please see our Visit Us page