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 two-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.
Visit Us
Welcome to Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area!
Willow Creek-Lurline WMA consists solely 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 Willow Creek-Lurline WMA is not open to the public, you can take a virtual tour to learn about what makes it special.
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
Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Area 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 Willow Creek-Lurline Wildlife Management Areais part of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It lies within the Colusa Basin, and is located approximately 10 miles south of the town of Willows in Glenn and Colusa Counties. It consists of conservation easements on privately-owned wetlands.
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 Species
The Willow Creek-Lurline WMA supports tens of thousands of wintering waterfowl including a significant portion of the tule greater white-fronted goose population. In addition, the Lurline wetlands regularly support breeding tricolored blackbirds, a California-listed-as-threatened species.
Click on the link below to learn more about our Seasons of Wildlife and Our Species....