Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Use the park page to learn about local hiking, nature, trailheads, trail and route maps, and groups that meet here. If you know something about this area. Please feel welcome to write about it here.
General Information
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is the headquarters of the larger Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
The refuge spans over ten thousand acres, most of which are designated to be carefully managed wetlands, uplands, riparian habitat, and vernal pools.
Trailheads
We currently do not have any record of trailheads in this park.
Routes and Trails You Can Travel
We currently do not have any record of good routes in this park.
Hiking
Trails
Climate and Weather
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History
Wildlife
Much in the same way that the wetland habitats help support waterfowl life in the area, the refuge is home to several endangered plants and animals.
Some of the common animals that can be spotted here are beavers, muskrat, black-tailed deer, and other species common in upland and wetland habitats.
Birds
The refuge is home to many different species of birds. It is home to migrating populations of more than 600,000 ducks and 200,000 geese. These birds are especially dependent on the work being done to preserve and restore the wetlands in the area because prior to the area becoming heavily settled and industrialized, it contained much more wetland terrain, which is great for waterfowl.
Since most of the wetland area that was once much more common is gone, the ducks and geese rely on the wetlands of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.
Some of the other birds at the refuge are palmate-bracted bird's-beak, wintering peregrine falcon, bald eagle, breeding tricolored blackbird, grebe, heron, blackbird, and golden eagles.
Trees
Flowers
Other Plants
Camping Possibilities
Other Information
Due to the abundance of ducks, geese, other waterfowl, a number of other birds, and small to mid-size animals at the refuge, hunting is a common activity at the refuge.
Parking
Driving Directions
The refuge is approximately 90 miles north of Sacramento, adjacent to Interstate 5.
Park Map
Photos From This Park
So far there are no photos which have been uploaded from this park. You can be the first!
Hiking or Walking Groups Nearby
Group Name: Sacramento Backpacking
Group Description: Sacramento-area based group with a preference for multiple-day excursions into the backcountry.
Group Name: Sonoma County Wanderers
Group Description: This is a hiking group for the intermediate hiker! For a hiker that enjoys a relaxed pace, conversation, picture taking and the journey as much as the destination. We usually do between 4 and 10 miles with moderate elevation gain.
Come join us!
Group Name: Muir Woods and Marin Hiking
Group Description: hiking in Muir Woods and other nearby areas. There is even a trail with a small bar at the end of it - join us!
Group Name: Amazon HIking and Adventure Group
Group Description: Fairfield, CA based Women's Hiking & Outdoor Adventure Group! The Amazon Group is a group for meeting other Women in their 20's and 30's who enjoy hiking, outdoors, and fitness. This group is for healthy/fit women who love to be outdoors and enjoy activities like: Hiking, backpacking, river-rafting, kayaking, and camping! Whether you are an experienced hiker or have never hiked before, join us! Other events include girl's night outs, hanging out, and day trips to fun new places. We also often stop at nearby places for good brews, food and conversation after hikes. Have fun while getting fit! Make new friends! Take time out of your busy life and get outside, and meet new people.
Upcoming Hikes
There are no upcoming hikes. Be the first to start one!
Past Hikes
Point Reyes National Seashore - Tomales Point | 94.3 km away
Date: Sunday, 6-5-2011
Description: Hike to Tomales point and back
Tomales point | 94.3 km away
Date: Sunday, 6-5-2011
Description: Walk to the Tomales Point and back.
Backpack Photography Trip to Snow Mtn.Wilderness 6/17-18-19 | 31.9 km away
Date: Friday, 6-17-2011
Description: Weather-permitting we will see abundant wildflowers, star-filled night skies, full moon.\\r\\nHike from Summit Spring Trailhead in the Mendocino National Forest through the Snow Mountain Wilderness. 4 miles and about 2,000 feet elevation gain to the Summit Basin campsite. About 2 more miles and a few hundred more feet elevation to reach the East summit. Friday night - night sky photo opportunity. Saturday explore the mountain and photograph the wildflowers. Break camp about 9:00 a.m. on Sunday morning to be back in the Bay Area before dark.
Cold Creek - Berryesa | 73.2 km away
Date: Friday, 6-17-2011
Description: loop - panoramic views of the lake
Paddle Lake Sonoma | 65.6 km away
Date: Sunday, 6-26-2011
Description: *** UPDATE: I have 20 people coming so far. *** This is a 10 mile round trip paddle, from Yorty Creek to the end of the Dry Creek Arm, where we'll pull up to a beach and have a picnic. Then we'll do a 2 mile round trip hike to the waterfall and go for a swim. You need to bring your own canoe or kayak, meet at Yorty Creek boat ramp at 9:30. There may be a launch fee. We will start paddling by 10:00. Last year it took us about 2 hrs to get to the lunch spot. No carpools since we have to transport our boats, but do catch a ride with a friend if you can. If you enjoy paddling and have your own kayak check out the Petaluma Paddlers. They are a very active and friendly bunch. Please bring lunch, plenty of water, a snack, and sun protection. Wear layers, it may be cool in the morning but it's going to warm up to 85 degrees. You'll want to go swimming, we'll probably swim in the lake and at the waterfall. Wear shoes or sandals suitable for wading and making the 2 mile round trip h ....
Table Rock Hike at Robert Louis Stevenson State Park at 8:30am | 57.1 km away
Date: Tuesday, 7-5-2011
Description: This is an easy hike to a gorgeous viewpoint overlooking the Napa valley. It's 4.4 miles roundtrip and an elevation gain of 500 feet. We will meet at the Robert Louis Stevenson parking lot. From Highway 29 in downtown Calistoga drive 8.5 miles northeast up the winding mountain road. The parking lot is right at the mountains summit. It is the same parking lot used for the St. Helena Hike. If anyone wants to car pool from Healdsburg. I can pick you up at 7:30 at Big Johns Supermarket. This hike is very interesting. You start through a forest and soon find yourself surrounded by natural volcanic rock sculptures..of course the end is terrific with a sweeping view. As always: •Bring plenty of water •Wear comfortable hiking shoes •Dress in layers as the hike will start off cool but warm up when we leave the forest •We will stay at the viewpoint for about 10 minutes..bring a snack if you like •Arrive early as we will head out on the trail promptly at 8:30 •Check your em ....
Girlfriend Get Away: Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, Northern California | 82.4 km away
Date: Saturday, 7-23-2011
Description: Get a chance to gain a solid foundation of backpacking skills while exploring lush meadows, alpine lakes, glacier fed creeks, and awe-inspiring mountains. The hiking itinerary is manageable, so we can enjoy ourselves in this gorgeous alpine environment! Go to: http://roamthewoods.com/Trinity.html for more details or www.roamthewoods.com
Girlfriend Getaway: Lassen Volcanic National Park Week Long Backpacking Adventure | 82.4 km away
Date: Saturday, 9-17-2011
Description: Come join us for the week in Lassen National Park. The southernmost portion of the Cascade Range will be our classroom for the week. Enjoy solitude and camaraderie in a back country few wander into, while reveling in the awe-inspiring geologic features Lassen is home to. Please contact the organizer for more details or visit www.roamthewoods.com.
Armstrong Woods East Ridge Hike | 75.1 km away
Date: Wednesday, 10-5-2011
Description: This hike is about 5-6 miles with an elevation gain of 1400ft...the great thing about this hike is that a good portion of it is in the shade. We've done this before but it is such a favorite that we will keep on doing it on a regular basis! This hike is all about having fun and getting some exercise in a comfortable setting. We won't be setting any speed records or winning any awards! It's all about spending time with other people, getting outside for some activity and having fun. You won't be held accountable to identify all of the plant or animal life, though I hope we see an abundance of both! This hike has a few relentless hills that keep going on up but it is well worth the huffs and the puffs to get up there. To enjoy this hike you should be able to comfortably walk uphill at a steady pace for an extended period. To get to the trailhead: From downtown Guerneville on Main St. (Highway 116), drive 2.3 miles north on Armstrong Woods Road to the visitor center on the right, ....
SF BEER OLYMPICS: OSCARS EDITION! FREE + Cheap Beers! Friday Feb 24th! | 89.3 km away
Date: Friday, 2-24-2012
Description: FREE to play! 5 BEERS for $10 Oscar-nominated games to be played: Flip Cup, Beer Pong, Relays --> Everyone's placed on a team based on their country (to make it easy to meet people). Teams will choose a film or actor from their country as the name for their team. --> Teams compete in games including flip cup, relays, and movie-themed beer pong (rules to be explained). --> Come to play or just come and watch, drink cheap beer and be social! Meet and compete against locals, travelers, couch surfers, au pairs and hostelers. After the Olympics, head upstairs for free entry to Impala night club! (Free entry for Olympics guests only). 'Like' us on Facebook *and* RSVP that you're attending & your 1st beer is $1 LIKE US HERE: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beer-Olympics/290654734280110?sk=info RSVP HERE: http://www.facebook.com/events/112355928893801/ ****************************************************** DATE: Friday, February 24th, 2012 PLACE: Impala - 501 Broadway ....
SF BEER OLYMPICS: 'SPRING BREAK NO RULES!' is this Friday 3/2! FREE + Cheap Beers! | 89.3 km away
Date: Friday, 3-2-2012
Description: FREE to play! 5 BEERS for $10 Games: Flip Cup, Beer Pong, Relays To welcome all the Spring Breakers who are coming to SF in March, this week's Beer Olympics is titled: SPRING BREAK NO RULES! Teams will pick bikini halves and board shorts/flip flops out of a bag and will compete in games against the team who picks the matching half. --> Everyone's placed on a team based on their country (to make it easy to meet people). Teams will choose a popular Spring Break destination from their country as the name for their team. --> Teams compete in games including flip cup, relays, and beer pong. --> Come to play or just come and watch, drink cheap beer and be social! Meet and compete against locals, travelers, couch surfers, au pairs and hostelers who are in SF for Spring Break! After the Olympics, head upstairs for free entry to Impala night club! (Free entry for Olympics guests only). 'Like' us on Facebook *and* RSVP that you're attending & your 1st beer is $1 LIKE US HER ....
Oat Hill Mine Road and the Palisades | 60.7 km away
Date: Saturday, 4-20-2013
Description: Introduction
The palisades are beautiful, and this hike offers gorgeous views of it and the Calistoga valley. This hike simply goes up to Robert Louis Stevenson park or Down from the park to the Pizza place at the trailhead. This makes it easy to offer several hiking options - people can simply turn around when they are tired. The grade is fairly easy on the knees but undulates across the front of the palisades.
Extra Items:
Most of this hike is exposed to the sun. We recommend doing it during winter, or on cool days <65F. Bring 3-4 22oz water bottles each for 65 degree weather. Seriously! Wear sturdy hiking boots, the palisades trail is not well worn and is rocky in places. If you have them, bring 2-way radios so the fast + slow groups can keep in touch.
Hiking options:
◾Carpool: Add 2 hours to each of these times to cover carpooling + lunch + hike intro.
◾Short hike to bald hill: 2 hours 45 mins. 5.7 miles, 1300ft gain/loss.
◾Medium hike to Pali ....