Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge

Managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and surrounded by BLM land, the refuge extends 25 miles along the Snake River from Minidoka Dam and includes Lake Walcott.  The reservoir has several islands and marshy areas.

The topography is primarily low, rolling hills and lava rock ledges up to 30 feet high along the shore.  Because the lake is an important stopover on the Pacific Flyway, migratory waterfowl are the most prominent wildlife here.  Flocks of over 500 tundra swans, along with 27 other waterfowl species have been recorded.

The refuge has Idaho's only nesting white pelicans, with over 40 pairs.  Many songbirds and raptors nest or migrate on the refuge, which also hosts mammals like the mule deer, beaver, muskrat, coyote, Nutall's cottontail and small numbers of pronghorn antelope.

Location 
From Rupert, Idaho, drive six miles northeast on Hwy-24. Proceed through Acequia, then turn east for six miles on CR-400 N.  to the refuge headquarters, on the north side of the Minidoka Dam.  The restrooms, picnic area, and campground are in Walcott Park, administered by the Bureau of Reclamation. There are three south shore access points for vehicles.  Sedans are not recommended for the northern access roads.