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Sacramento NWR Complex Notifications

Updated July 7, 2025 - 11:00 AM

On-going Construction at Sacramento NWR:

The entrance road, visitor center parking lot, and north-side walking trails will be under construction starting June 16 through mid-October. Thank you for driving slowly, following all flaggers directing traffic, and honoring any closures while this important work is completed this summer. 

Current conditions (as of July 7, 11:00 AM):

  • The Auto Tour is open (follow flaggers and/or cones to get to the entrance).
  • Both walking trail loops are open.
  • During the week, visitors will be directed by flaggers to park along the shoulder of the gravel road in the visitor center parking area to access the Visitor Center bathrooms and trails. On weekends, please park in the visitor center parking lot.

Short-term Full Public Access Closure at Sacramento NWR:

Starting Monday July 14, there will be an estimated three-week full closure of the Sacramento NWR to the public (no access to the auto tour, visitor center, bathrooms and trails) while construction crews replace a culvert under the entrance road. Please visit other parts of our Refuge Complex during this time, and check back here or on social media to know when the Sacramento NWR is back open to the public.

Walking Trail Closure at Sacramento NWR:

Starting Monday July 14, 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.

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.

Visit Us

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Welcome to Delevan National Wildlife Refuge!   

Delevan NWR is only open to the public for hunting and for photography-blind access (by reservation only).

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 TOURSTRAILSBICYCLINGPHOTOGRAPHYHUNTING-WATERFOWLHunting-RiverMAPS, DIRECTIONS + BROCHURESENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Delevan 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

      snow geese in water and flying at delevan nwr
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      Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex.  It is situated about 80 miles north of Sacramento and four miles east of the town of Maxwell in Colusa County. The refuge consists of 5,877 acres consisting primarily of wetlands with some riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       and grassland habitats. 

        Click on the link below to learn more about us!

      What We Do

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      • 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.

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington,DC

      Our Species

      Delevan National Wildlife Refuge is best known for migratory waterfowl. Waterfowl are present September through April and numbers regularly peak at over 300,000 ducks and 100,000 geese. The refuge supports one of the largest known populations of palmate-bracted birds-beak (Federally listed endangered plant species) and significant breeding colonies of tricolored blackbirds. Delevan is also an important wintering grounds for Tule Greater White-fronted Geese.

      Click on the link below to learn more about our Seasons of Wildlife, Wildlife Checklist, Wildlife Surveys, and Our Species....