Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is a CDFW property of about 9,200 acres of wetlands, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas west of Gridley, along the Pacific Flyway. CDFW says it gives habitat to more than 300 species of birds and mammals, including more than 1 million waterfowl every year. Visitors 16 and older need a CDFW Lands Pass or their own California hunting or fishing license. Checked October 29, 2026 on the operator’s own pages.
From Chico: about 1 hr (typical, without traffic)
Plan It in Three Lines
- Get thereFrom Chico: about 1 hr, typical, without traffic. Address: 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley, CA 95948.
- WhenOpen daily, sunrise to sunset.
- CostA CDFW Lands Pass is required for anyone 16 or older unless they carry their own valid California hunting or fishing license; daily pass $5.97, annual pass $33.48 for 2026.
Key Facts
- Gray Lodge is open daily, sunrise to sunset.[1]
- The property is about 9,200 acres of wetlands, grassy fields and wooded riparian areas.[1]
- CDFW says the area provides habitat to over 300 species of resident and migratory birds and mammals, including more than 1 million waterfowl every year.[1]
- A 3-mile auto-loop, reached from Parking Lot #14, runs through the Designated Viewing Area; from October through February all visitors must stay inside their vehicles on this route.[1]
- The paved Wetland Discovery Trail is 0.3 miles long (0.6 miles out and back) and leads to an elevated wooden viewing platform with viewing scopes.[1]
- The gravel Flyway Loop Trail is a 2-mile loop from Parking Lots #14 and #18, with two wildlife observation hides open year-round without reservation.[1]
- A taxidermy exhibit room near Parking Lot #14 shows birds and mammals found at Gray Lodge, at no extra cost.[1]
- From late February through early October, about 150 miles of foot and bicycle paths are open; from mid-October through mid-February access may be restricted during waterfowl hunting seasons.[1]
- Waterfowl and snipe hunting is limited to Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays during the Balance of State waterfowl season, and hunting is always closed on Christmas Day.[1]
- From two weeks before waterfowl hunting season to one week after, fishing is restricted to the Avis Fishing Access only.[1]
- Guided public walks run Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m., October through January, unless raining, and take about 90 minutes.[1]
- Gray Lodge was purchased in 1931 as the second land in a series of state waterfowl refuges; it was renamed Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in 1970.[1]
- A daily Lands Pass is $5.97 and an annual Lands Pass is $33.48 for 2026.[2]
- E-bikes are prohibited, and drones need a Special Use Permit.[1]
Areas Inside Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
Wetland Discovery Trail
Paved 0.3-mile trail from Parking Lot #14 to an elevated viewing platform over a seasonal pond, with a self-guided marker tour.[1]
Flyway Loop Trail
Gravel 2-mile loop along seasonal and permanent ponds with two wildlife observation hides.[1]
Auto-loop
3-mile drive through the Designated Viewing Area, reached from Parking Lot #14.[1]
Plan Your Visit
| What | As the operator states it |
|---|---|
| Run by | California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) |
| Address | 3207 Rutherford Road, Gridley, CA 95948 |
| Drive from Chico | About 1 hr, typical, without traffic (Google Maps, plus 10 minutes, rounded) |
| Hours | Open daily, sunrise to sunset.[1] |
| Season | Peak visitation season is October through February; during winter, parts of the area may be closed periodically due to flooding.[1] |
| Fees | A CDFW Lands Pass is required for anyone 16 or older unless they carry their own valid California hunting or fishing license; daily pass $5.97, annual pass $33.48 for 2026.[2] |
| Parking | Year-round parking is allowed in numbered lots only; there are 18 parking lots on the property.[1] |
| Dogs | Dogs must be under control at all times and on a leash of 10 feet maximum when not actively hunting.[1] |
| Restrooms | Portable toilets are at Parking Lot #14.[1] |
| Accessibility | The Wetland Discovery Trail is paved for mobility-impaired access, and a mobility-impaired fishing access pier is next to Parking Lot #14.[1] |
| Camping | Camping is only allowed in the Entrance Check Station parking lot for hunters on nights before waterfowl hunt days.[1] |
| Reservations | Guided walks request reservations for groups over 20; school and group tours are scheduled in advance through the Naturalist Office.[1] |
| Phone | Weekdays 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.: (530) 846-7500; weekends: (530) 846-7505.[1] |
| Official page | California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) |
Hours at a Glance
Season, as printed: Peak visitation season is October through February; during winter, parts of the area may be closed periodically due to flooding.
Bars are drawn from the hours printed in Plan Your Visit below; a faded or dashed bar means the page prints sunrise or sunset, not a clock time. Today is outlined.
Admission, Side by Side
As the operator prints it: A CDFW Lands Pass is required for anyone 16 or older unless they carry their own valid California hunting or fishing license; daily pass $5.97, annual pass $33.48 for 2026.
Dogs
Dogs must be under control at all times and on a leash of 10 feet maximum when not actively hunting.
Map of Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
Around Gray Lodge Wildlife Area
- Gridley and Biggs: 7.0 miles northeast
- Butte County Fairgrounds: 7.6 miles east
- Oroville Wildlife Area: 14.2 miles northeast
- Oroville Chinese Temple: 18.9 miles northeast
- Downtown Oroville and the Riverfront: 19.0 miles northeast
- Oroville State Theatre: 19.1 miles northeast
The yellow dot is this place. Rings are spaced so close places do not pile up, and a numbered badge may sit slightly off its true spot (a thin line ends at the true spot). Distances are straight-line miles worked out from the map points each page prints; they are not drive times or walking routes.
What We Could Not Verify
These items were not on an official page we could open on October 29, 2026, or two official pages disagree. Check with the operator before you rely on them.
- Not confirmedA dedicated visitor center building (CDFW names a Main Business Office, an Entrance Check Station and a taxidermy exhibit room, not a visitor center)
- Not confirmedVisitor hours of the Main Business Office
- Not confirmedCurrent-season hunt day calendar and flood-up dates
- Not confirmedExact coordinates of the entrance
- Not confirmedConflict: Size: CDFW says about 9,200 acres; the City of Gridley 'Why Live Here' page says 8,400 acres. CDFW (the operator) value used.
More in Durham, Gridley & Biggs
Coming Up in Durham, Gridley & Biggs
Nothing on our calendar for Durham, Gridley & Biggs from today on yet. We only list a date once we have read it on the organizer’s own page, so here is what comes next. See every upcoming event.
Country Pumpkins: October Farm Season
Runs Oct 1 to Oct 31, 2026
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Country Pumpkins, Orland
Price: Free admission; corn maze $5, haunted maze $15
Open daily in October with pumpkins, a petting zoo, hay pyramid and slide, and a daytime corn maze (last entry 5:30 PM). The Haunted Maze runs 7 to 10 PM on select nights, last night Friday, October 30; the farm is closed Halloween.
Checked Oct 30, 2026 · Source for Country Pumpkins: October Farm Season (opens in a new tab)October Movies in The Park: Hocus Pocus 2
5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
DeGarmo Park, Chico
Price: Free
Halloween movie night with a costume parade at 6:15 PM, food trucks and free popcorn; the film starts at dusk. Bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Checked Oct 29, 2026 · Source for October Movies in the Park: Hocus Pocus 2 (opens in a new tab)Costumed Dog Parade (Corning)
5:30 PM
Yaya's Tacos, Corning
Price: Free
Dog costume parade right after Trick or Treat Street.
Checked Oct 29, 2026 · Source for Costumed Dog Parade (Corning) (opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a pass to visit Gray Lodge Wildlife Area?
Yes. Anyone 16 or older needs a CDFW Lands Pass unless they carry their own valid California hunting or fishing license. Buy it before you arrive, online, by phone at (800) 565-1458, or where licenses are sold. All visitors also register on-site.[1]
Can I get out of my car on the auto-loop?
From October through February, all visitors must stay inside their vehicles on the 3-mile auto-loop to limit wildlife disturbance.[1]
Is Gray Lodge open during hunting season?
Yes, it is open daily sunrise to sunset, but hunting is limited to set days and some paths may be restricted from mid-October through mid-February. Check at the Main Business Office or Entrance Check Station.[1]
Sources
- Gray Lodge Wildlife Area, California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Read October 29, 2026.
- CDFW Lands Pass, California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Read October 29, 2026.
- Why Live Here, City of Gridley. Read October 29, 2026.
Cite this page: “Gray Lodge Wildlife Area.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/durham-gridley/gray-lodge-wildlife-area/
Coming Up Here
No dated event at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area is on our calendar right now. We list a date only after reading it on the organizer’s own page, so an empty list means not listed yet, not that nothing is happening. See every upcoming event.