Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge — Attraction in Willows

TIP: Bring bug repentant. We recently decided to make a trip out to the Sacramento national wildlife refuge in search of some bald eagles that were reported to be around. It was our first time there, but we went ahead and purchased the annual pass for around $12. This is truly a remarkable place, all man-made but so full of wildlife you don't really know where to look. There's an FM station they will give you more information if you decide to drive the approximately 5 mile loop around the park. There's also a walking path it's a bit shorter. On the day we were there the circuit on the northside had quite a bit of wildlife, but the other side didn't. At the visitor center there are quite a few birdfeeders so you can sit and watch a variety of small birds and hummingbirds buzzing around. In the trees past the visitor center there were about 10 to 20 vultures, which normally I don't get too excited about but it was pretty impressive. If you are planning on doing something for the next super moon, which I believe is January 31, there's a really nice spot to watch it on the second parking area on the drive tour where you can see it come up over the water. All in all well...

My brothers and I visited here on June 27 and really enjoyed the 6-mile auto tour. We had the park all to ourselves, so we felt almost if we had traveled back in time (minus the road, of course) to when only Native Americans lived here. It was extremely quiet since it's Summertime and most of the birds are not here at this time of year. We did get to see a beautiful deer, turkey vultures, jack rabbits, and a number of birds in the lake (?) at the viewing platform 1/2 way through the auto tour. We enjoyed our visit so much that we are planning to come back in the late Fall or Winter to see the migratory birds. We also got lucky for the timing of our visit because the brand-new visitor center had just opened. The ranger there was very friendly and knowledgeable. BTW - currently the visitor center is only open on Thursday and Friday between 9am and 4pm and the gift shop is not yet open. You'll want to check before you go to see if the hours...

Amazing drive around the wetland! Highly recommended if you are into birds, scenery, wildlife, or sunset.

Remember to pay the $6 day use pass this will help with keeping the service. When you reach the 2nd parking space area after paying the day pass go inside the visitor center to check it out and use the bathroom before you go on the 6 mile auto tour. The auto tour you will want to drive really slow to not scare the animals or else you won't be able to capture the rare moments. there is a few places to stop and get out to take pictures remember to bring a hat, camera, water and sunscreen on sunny days.

There is also trails for small little walks around the preserve area its...