Sutter: Volcanic Landscapes, Wildlife Areas, and History

The Sutter Buttes are volcanic peaks that are 1.6 million years old. A 40-mile loop runs around them and can be traveled by car or bicycle. The Middle Mountain Interpretive Hikes offer a different way to access the Buttes: they lead into the valleys, along the slopes, and to the peaks of the privately owned land. Access is controlled. The scenic drive and guided tour therefore differ both in how you get around and in how you experience the landscape.

Observe Nature and Plan Your Routes

The Feather River Wildlife Area covers about 2,800 acres of dense riverside woodland. Wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and nature photography are possible throughout the area. The Wetland Discovery Trail offers a self-guided nature tour. You can choose between observing wildlife across the area and taking a tour along a named nature trail.

The Sutter Bypass Wildlife Area covers about 3,200 acres in total. A vehicle loop runs through the designated viewing area. Seasonal fishing is also permitted there with the appropriate license. By comparison, wildlife viewing and nature photography throughout the area are the main activities at the Feather River Wildlife Area; the Sutter Bypass also offers the driving loop and seasonal fishing.

The Sutter National Wildlife Refuge has about 6 miles of various loop trails. The trails are open from February 15 through June 30 and can be accessed from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. If you plan to include these trails in your trip, check the dates before you travel. The trail length and access hours give you two specific points of reference for your visit.

Cycling Trails and Regional History

The Sutter Commuter Bikeway is a 5.00-mile Class I bike path between the community of Sutter and the urban area of Yuba City. It follows the former route of the Sacramento Northern Railroad. This 5-mile bike path contrasts with the 40-mile loop around the Sutter Buttes: the bikeway connects two named places along a former railroad line, while the loop circles the Buttes and can be traveled by car or bicycle.

The Sutter County Museum tells the story of the Yuba-Sutter community from before first contact to the present day. Its 3D relief map of the Sutter Buttes offers a close-up view of the peaks, canyons, and valleys. The map adds a spatial perspective on the landscape to the museum’s historical narrative.

Two other historical topics can also be placed in context through specific dates and locations. The Hock Farm monument is made from the original iron of the enclosure at Hock Farm, the first non-Indigenous settlement in Sutter County. The grape known as Thompson’s seedless grape was first shown publicly in Marysville in 1875.

For anglers, the stretch of the Sacramento River at Tisdale Boat Launch is a destination in its own right: it is considered excellent for steelhead trout, striped bass, and sturgeon.

Explore more destinations: Yuba City, Nicolaus, Alpine County, San Bernardino, Madera, Santa Barbara, Contra Costa, Humboldt.

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