Dick Jordan and his wife, Cindy, spent two days there last week. A docent at the federal Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge south of Willows, California said that because of the scant rainfall, more ducks seem to be hanging out on refuges such as the state-run Gray Lodge Wildlife Area north of Yuba City and east of the Sacramento River, than those such as SRNWR on the west side. However, there seem to be lots of Snow Geese at refuges on either side of the river.
Both of those refuges are about 2.5-3 hours drive from Marin. The outlet stores in Vacaville provide a convenient stop along the way to buy gas or use a restroom.
If you make an early start you can probably visit both in a day and get back home sometime in the evening.
Gray Lodge
Dick and Cindy usually leave Marin in mid-morning, make a "pit stop" and get gas in Live Oak, then head to Gray Lodge, have lunch at a picnic table near the parking lot for birders, and spend a couple of hours or so driving the "auto route" through the refuge, or hiking on some of the trails in it, before heading north and west to overnight at Willows.
A viewing platform can be reached from a trail leading north from the parking lot at the beginning of the auto tour, and there are a couple of "blinds" along the auto route.
Porta-potties are located at just a few places in the refuge, and there is no potable water. Day use fee is $4/person unless you have a pass from the Fish & Game or other entity. (As far as Dick knows, state park passes aren't accepted.) Click here for a MapQuest map that shows the refuge location.
(If you head south from Gray Lodge towards Sutter Buttes, and circle west around the Buttes on your way back to I-5, you may see Sand Hill Cranes flying or in the fields next to the road).
Overnight Stops
In Willows, Dick and Cindy recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, and having dinner at the Old Highway 99 Steak House. Yuba City is a good place to overnight if you go to Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge first, and Gray Lodge last, or if you want to hit Gray Lodge early in the morning.
On day two, they have a complimentary breakfast at the Holiday Inn, pick up sandwiches at the adjacent Subway (Willows isn't noted for its dining options), and then head 7 miles south to the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge. Click here for a map showing the refuge location.
Two bonuses from an overnight stay: 1) At the end of the day just before sunset you may see thousands of geese flying into the refuges after feeding in nearby rice feeds; 2) you may be treated to a spectacular sunset if high clouds float in the sky above the valley or mountains to the west.
Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge
That refuge has a small visitor center (closed Mondays through February) with "stuffed" birds on display, and books and other items for sale in its gift shop. Restrooms with flush toilets (but no potable water) and picnic tables are located at the visitor center. There is a pit toilet next to a viewing platform about half-way around the auto route.
The day use fee is $6. Holders of a Federal Duck Stamp ($15) or an America the Beautiful - Interagency Annual, Senior, Access or Volunteer Pass (or the past equivalent Golden Age Pass) enter free
There is a hiking trail around ponds near the visitor center. It takes a couple of hours or so to drive the auto tour route, and on it you're may see some upland birds such as pheasants, river otters or raccoons, and raptors (including eagles, if you're luck) as well as ducks, geese, coots, and perhaps some grebes.
Colusa National Wildlife Refuge
If you tour either the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge or Gray Lodge in the morning, you'll probably have time to visit the Colusa National Wildlife Refuge in the afternoon.
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