10,819 acres of wetlands, grasslands and other habitats give the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge a distinctive scale. The protected area extends across Glenn County and Colusa County. It offers opportunities for wildlife viewing and photography, as well as hiking and hunting. Nature watching and outdoor activities are at the heart of this landscape, which stretches across a county boundary.
Lakes, Shorelines and Trails
The scale of Black Butte Lake is especially clear from its dimensions: at full capacity, the lake covers 4,460 acres, is seven miles long and has a 40-mile shoreline. It also has more than 20 miles of hiking, mountain biking and nature trails. Viewpoints and opportunities for wildlife viewing connect the trails with the natural experience. If you would rather spend time by the shore, the Buckhorn and Orland Buttes campgrounds offer drinking water, picnic tables, fire rings, boat ramps, RV dump stations, and restrooms with showers. Facilities and availability may change, so check the latest recreation notices before your trip.
Stony Gorge Reservoir also offers a range of ways to enjoy the water: its 18-mile shoreline provides opportunities for boating, camping, hiking, picnicking, fishing, swimming and disc golf. It lies in western Glenn County, about 20 miles west of Willows. The Bureau of Reclamation manages the reservoir’s recreational facilities and offers year-round opportunities for outdoor activities. Comparing the two bodies of water, the shoreline lengths stand out first: Black Butte Lake’s 40 miles compared with Stony Gorge Reservoir’s 18 miles. The area figure for Black Butte Lake applies only at full capacity.
Motorsports as a Distinct Experience
Thunderhill Raceway Park offers a very different kind of discovery. The facility includes three different road-course configurations and two skid pads, as well as a complete five-mile circuit. Its offerings range from racing and high-performance driving to drifting, karting, motorcycle training and autocross. If you’re interested in motorsports, this range brings several disciplines together in one place rather than limiting a visit to a single type of driving.
Local History and Culture
Willows’ transportation history can be traced to a specific historic turning point: after Interstate 5 was completed in 1979, the town became a stopping point between Sacramento and Redding. The Willows Museum is housed in the Andrew Carnegie Public Library building, which was built in 1911. The selection on the Heritage Trail at the Glenn County Fairgrounds includes a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, a gas station, a soda stand, a print shop and a railroad depot. The Orland Newville and Pacific Railroad, in turn, is modeled on narrow-gauge railways with a three-foot gauge from around the turn of the century.
The Honeybee Discovery Center focuses on the honeybee: BEE-NATOMY 101 offers insights into bee anatomy and includes interactive elements. The exhibit’s availability may change. The Center also offers bookable group tours of the current exhibit, led by staff. If you’re planning a visit, you can check booking options in advance.
Seasonal and Sporting Additions
The Orland Market of the Glenn County Certified Farmers’ Market takes place on Thursdays from May through August at Library Park, at the intersection of 4th and Mill Street. As it is a seasonal event, check the specific market dates before you travel. For a different sporting perspective, Glenn Golf and Country Club has a nine-hole course that can be played as an 18-hole course using different tee boxes. In this way, markets, golf, culture, water activities and motorsports complement the nature experiences with a range of distinct interests.
Discover more destinations: Willows, Glenn, Madera, San Joaquin, Merced, Nevada, San Luis Obispo, Sutter.
For the broader travel overview: California.
