The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located in northern California, in the valley of the Sacramento River. It was created in an attempt to resolve the conflict between the needs of migrating birds using the Pacific Flyway, and those of agriculture.
The refuge visitor center features a wildlife exhibit, bookstore, and Discovery Room. Visitors can enjoy a six-mile auto tour with 3 viewing areas and two walking trails.
Map of the Fremont section of Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (NRW) in California. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFW).
Visitor Center, Auto Tour & Wetland Walk at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in California. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Sandhill Cranes at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in California. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Sacramento NWR
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento_National_Wildlife_Refuge_Complex
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located in northern California, in the valley of the Sacramento River. It was created in an attempt to resolve the conflict between the needs of migrating birds using the Pacific Flyway, and those of agriculture.
The refuge visitor center features a wildlife exhibit, bookstore, and Discovery Room. Visitors can enjoy a six-mile auto tour with 3 viewing areas and two walking trails.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Sacramento
National Wildlife
Refuge
Wetlands Walk Trail
Guide
Welcome to Wetlands Walk
Come explore the wonders of
our wetlands along the trail that
meanders through shallow marshes,
along a creek, and past deep ponds!
N
Lo
ga
nC
Seasonal Cycle
During the fall and winter, the
Refuge wetlands are flooded.
Thousands of ducks and geese are
on the Refuge at this time. In the
spring, waterfowl migrate north as
the water recedes, while shorebirds
and songbirds are more common.
During the summer, most wetlands
are dry, therefore, resident animals
are often found near permanent
ponds.
Viewing Tips
The best times to see wildlife are
in the early morning and late
afternoon from November through
February. To increase your chances
of seeing animals, take binoculars,
walk slowly, talk softly, and stay on
the marked trail.
Trail Tidbits
It takes at least an hour to leisurely
walk this two-mile trail. However, a
shortcut allows you to return to the
trailhead from the halfway point.
Numbered posts correspond to the
stops in this guide.
Quiz Yourself!
Pictures of the plants and animals
are numbered. See how many you can
identify correctly! Their names are
listed on the last page of this
brochure.
ree
k
99W
4
3
5
6
2
7
1
Shortcut
Entrance Road
9
*
8
14
11
13
Start
Here
12
10
I-5
Visitor Center
Benches
2
*
Parking
Auto Tour
Wetlands Walk
Trailhead
To begin the walk,
follow the trail across
the entrance road.
3
1. What Are
Wetlands?
1
There are many different kinds of
wetlands. Wetlands may be as small
as puddles or as big as lakes, and
they may contain fresh or salty water.
Some wetlands contain water all year
long, while others dry out in summer.
The wetland you see here is a freshwater marsh. On the Wetlands
Walk, you will be exploring wetlands
that include seasonal marshes,
permanent ponds, vernal pools, and
riparian (waterside) woodlands.
Each one supports unique plants and
animals that have adapted to this
soggy environment.
3. How Important
Is This Creek?
Logan Creek provides water for
some of the Refuge’s marshes,
through a system of canals and pipes.
Along the creek grows a special forest
of cottonwoods and willows — trees
that like to keep their roots wet.
This riparian woodland provides food
and shelter for a variety of animals.
Raccoons, egrets, and herons hunt
for fish and crayfish at the edge of the
creek. Deer, rabbits, and owls seek
relief from both the hot summer sun
and cold winter rains under the trees.
Nesting songbirds find insects here to
feed their young.
4
2
Notice the variety of plants in the
seasonal marsh along the creek...
2. A Seasonal
Marsh
3
4
Historically, the Sacramento River
flooded in the winter and spring. The
floods created vast seasonal marshes.
Beginning in the late 1800s, most of
the Sacramento Valley was
converted to farmland.
Marshes like these have
been created to provide
homes for animals that
need wetlands.
Water is drained from
the marsh in late spring
so a new generation of
marsh plants can sprout
in the warm, moist
pond bottoms. In the fall, when the
seed heads ripen, the marshes are
reflooded to bring an abundance of
food within easy reach of many birds.
Follow the trail across the auto
tour and to the right to explore the
secluded riparian (rye-pair-ee-an)
woodlands . . .
5
Look in the willow trees for nests,
and along the creek banks for
beaver-chewed trees.
5
4. The Duck
That Nests In
Trees
Unlike most other ducks, wood ducks,
or “woodies,” nest in holes in trees.
Because so many riparian woodlands
have been cut down throughout the
United States, nest boxes like this one
have been placed to make up for lost
nesting trees.
Notice the entrance of the nest box
is small enough to let adult wood
ducks in but keep raccoons and other
predators out. However, many other
animals will use the boxes, including
owls, honey bees, and woodpeckers.
7
6
9
8
Look for tracks of wildlife along
the creek and trail.
5. Wetlands
Are Working
For You
Wetlands act as a living filter.
Agricultural and urban runoff may
enter these wetlands via Logan
Creek. Marshes can absorb excess
chemicals thereby helping to purify
the water before it returns to the
Sacramento River.
Listen for lizards, pheasants, and
rabbits as they scurry away to hide
from you — a possible predator!
6
7
6. Smell The
Marsh!
During the walk, you may have
noticed a faint rotten egg odor. In
wetlands that are flooded for a long
time, dead plants and animals collect
on the bottom and rot slowly, creating
a thick black muck. Special bacteria
that live naturally in this waterlogged
muck release a sulfur-containing gas
as they break down dead plants and
animals. This gas gives the marsh its
characteristic, rotten egg odor.
Look for floating cut cattails which
are evidence of muskrats digging for
roots to eat.
10
8. Permanent
Or Year-Round
Ponds
Many plants and animals depend on
permanent ponds. Dense cattails and
bulrush in and around the edges
Spring and Summer Opportunities
As you explore this area on foot, use binoculars and
spotting scopes to bring wildlife closer into view
without disturbing them.
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
752 County Road 99W
Willows, CA 95988
Phone: 530 934 2801
www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento
For further information on Refuge
hunting, wildlife observation,
environmental education, or
photography, please use our
contact information listed above.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
For Refuge Information
1 800/344-WILD
Visit in early spring to catch the wildflower show.
Make sure to register at the kiosk.
Use the in-ground blinds to observe and
photograph ducks, raptors and wading birds; chest
waders are recommended for access during spring.
Please replace
blind lids after
use...it keeps the
critters out.
California Relay Service
TTY 1 800/735-2929
Voice 1 800/735-2922
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge
Logan Creek Trails:
Wildlife Viewing &
Photographic
Opportunities
Visitors with disabilities may be reasonably
accommodated upon request, and/or receive an
alternative format publication.
February 2017
Blinds have 2
adjustable seats.
Volunteers and
staff work hard
to keep blinds
clean. Please
carry out what
you bring in.
Open February 15 - June 30
Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge - Logan Creek Trails: Wildlife Viewing & Photographic Opportunities
General Information: There are no recreation fees. Area open Feb 15 - June 30. Please respect all signs and area closures.
Additional maps are
available for our Visitor
Visit our website to find out about educational activities and birding tours.
Area and for our Hunt
Photography - Blinds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Area. Please visit our
Please check in/check out on the registration sheet when arriving/leaving.
website for details:
www.fws.gov/refuge/
Blinds - sites #9-16 each have 2 in-ground concrete blinds that seat up to 2 people.
sacramento
Please replace lids after use.
! Day use only - open 1 hour before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset.
[
!
!
Information/Parking ]!
j Access beyond parking area is only by foot; park in designated area.
\
!
!
!
Í Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leash.
!
!
F Hiking - Foot access only. Follow the mowed/dirt trails for easiest access.
!
! Follow Directional Signs and guide stakes to Blinds #9 - 16.
K Bicycles, horses and motorized vehicles are prohibited.
È!
G!
!
· Take out what you bring in. Littering is unlawful!
!
Be Prepared! This is a natural and wild area. You may encounter ticks, mosquitoes and wasps (especially in blinds).
l Fishing is prohibited.
!
Wildlife Observation -
Blinds
9-16
Site
#
Site Name
Agricultural fields along Highway 45
Agricultural fields along Oroville-Chico Highway
Sandhill Crane Use Areas
Public Facilities
_
P !
Ù !
] !
F !
5 !
j !
Ö !
6 !
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
Contact/Ownership
Information
Private property
Private property
Private property
www.fws.gov/refuge/steve_thomspon_north_central_
valley/llano_seco_unit. (530) 934-2801
! !
Private property
Private property
Private property
Private property
!
!
!
Private property
!
!
!
!
!
!
5 Agricultural fields along Grainland Road
6 Agricultural fields along Aguas Frias Road
7 Agricultural fields along Nelson Road at Butte Creek levee
8 Agricultural fields along Butler Road
9 Ag fields along Gridley/Colusa Hwy at Cherokee Canal
10 Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
11 Agricultural fields along North Butte Road
!
Agricultural fields along Road R, north of Road 39
Llano Seco Unit- Steve Thompson
North Central Valley Wildlife Management Area
! ! !
1
2
3
4
Drive-by only
(no pull out)
Roadside
Pull Out
Parking
Area
Auto Tour
Route
Info Kiosk/
Brochures
Walking Trail
Interpretive
Trail
Picnic Table
Restroom
Facility
www.dfg.ca.gov, (530)846-7500
Private property
January 2020
Visitors with disabilities may be
reasonably accommodated upon request,
and/or receive an alternative format
publication.
California Relay Service
TTY 1 800/735-2929
Voice 1 800/735-2922
For Refuge Information
1 800/344-WILD
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov
For further information on Refuge
hunting, wildlife observation,
environmental education, or
photography, please use our
contact information listed above.
Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge Complex
752 County Road 99W
Willows, CA 95988
Phone: 530/934-2801
www.fws.gov/refuge/sacramento
Northern Sacramento Valley
Viewing Hotspots
Sandhill Crane
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Sandhill Crane Viewing Hotspots of the Northern Sacramento Valley
Hamilton
Hamilton City
City
!
H
45
£
¤
Hwy 45 fields
1
"
)
Llano Seco Unit Steve Thompson
North Central Valley
Wildlife Mg't Area
F
Ord
R
erry
Road P
Sacramento
NWR
Road 68
Princeton
Princeton
Upper
Butte
Basin WA Howard
Slough Unit
Butler Rd fields
!
H
Road Z
Ch
2.5
5
70
£
¤
Live
Live Oak
Oak
Pennington Rd
!
H
!
H
Ware Rd.
10
15
Roads
State Wildlife Area
Birding Site
Highway
Paved
Interstate
#
!
(
20
£
¤
Sa
cra
m
45
£
¤
20
Miles
Marysville
Marysville
20
£
¤
Moroni Rd
Reststop
!
H
!
H
Yuba
Yuba City
City
Sutter
NWR
Oswald Rd
Gravel
Birding Route
20
£
¤
Tarke Rd
Wescott Rd.
Abel Rd.
Colusa
NWR
Ohm Rd
Lonestar Rd.
Husted Rd.
!
H
20
£
¤
National Wildlife Refuge
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d
Progress Rd
0
utte R
Gridley
Gridley
Colusa
Colusa
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9
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B
North
Maxwell Rd.
Williams
Williams
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11
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N. Butte Rd fields
# !
#
!
99W
£
¤
20
A ft
Oroville
Oroville
Rd
Maxwell
Maxwell
Delevan
NWR
o
!
H
162
£
¤
Afton Rd
Upper
Butte
Basin WA Little Dry
Creek Unit
Gray Lodge
Wildlife Area
River Rd.
Four Mile Rd.
45
£
¤
Nelson Rd fields
162
£
¤
Gridley Colusa Hwy
Delevan Rd.
99
£
¤
Oroville
WA
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7
"
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Th e rml it
Road 61
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H
70
£
¤
149
£
¤
Aguas Frias fields
Nelson Rd
Butte
Butte
City
City
Road 60
Grainland Rd
a
Midw
Road 57
191
£
¤
Grainland Rd fields
5
"
)
Upper Butte
Basin WA Llano
Seco
Unit
162
£
¤
!
H
Willows
Willows
oad
4
"
)
Road 39
Oroville-Chico Hwy fields
Aguas Frias Rd
3
"
)
Road R
# !
#
!
2
"
)
Durham Dayton Hwy
Seven Mile Lane
Road R fields
Road 33
r Rd
Oro
ville
Hw Chico
y
Butler Rd
I-5
Rive
River Rd
§
¦
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o
Chic
Chico
Chico
FFeeath eerr RRiivveerr
99W
£
¤
32
£
¤
!
H
Pennington
32
£
¤
Almond
Orchard
!
H
Afton Blvd (Rd Y)
Orland
Orland
Hughes Rd
99
£
¤
Map produced by:
Sacramento NWRC
Projection: UTM Zone 10
Datum: NAD83
January 2020
Copyright:(c) 2014 Esri
Wildlife Viewing Tips:
- Respect Private Property. Do not drive or walk on privately owned areas.
- Be Safe. Do not park or stop on narrow roads - avoid accidents.
- Use Binoculars.
- Use Blinds. Use existing vegetation or your car as a blind.
Wildlife does not spook as easily by slow-moving or parked cars.
- Walk Slowly and Talk Softly to observe the birds' natural behaviors.
- Be a Land Steward. Do not litter or trample vegetation.