skip to the main content area of this page
Idaho Birding Trail LogoMale Sage GrouseMountain Bluebird
Southeast Region

Southeast Region Sites

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge/Lake Walcott State Park

Nearest Town: Rupert
Site Size: 20,721acres

Highlights: Raptors, Shorebirds, Songbirds, Upland Birds, Waterbirds, Waterfowl

Access: Year-round. Admission Fee

Site Location

Directions: At intersection of ID 24 and ID 25 in the town of Rupert, zero odometer; W on ID 24 (8th St); cross rr track; immediate R (N) on A St (Meridian Rd); immediately turn R (NE) again onto ID 24 (Read Ave); follow signs for ID 24 and Minidoka NWR; mi 5.9 turn R on Minidoka Dam Rd (400 N); drive toward park HQ; mi 11.3 Walcott SP entrance; NWR and SP share common gate; L at fork in rd; L to boat ramp, R to NWR.

Description: The NWR extends for 25 miles along the Snake River from Minidoka Dam and includes all of Lake Walcott. The reservoir has several islands and marshy areas. The topography is primarily low, rolling hills with lava rock ledges up to 30 feet high along the shore. Highlights: Swainson’s Hawk, Long-billed Curlew, and Tundra and Trumpeter Swans.

More Information:
USFWS (208) 436-3589
Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce (208) 679-4793
www.fws.gov/pacific/refuges/field/id_minidoka.htm
www.idahoparks.org/parks/index.aspx


Photos
minidoka-NWR2.jpg
Photo CC by Attribution
Idaho Fish and Game
swainson's-hawk--Tom-Munson.jpg
Swainson's Hawk
Photo Copyright Tom Munson
trumpeter-swan--keith-carlson.jpg
Trumpeter Swan
Photo Copyright Keith Carlson
Facilities

General Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneBoardwalkCampgroundPicnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterInterpretive Material AvailableBoat RampNo ConcessionsHiking TrailsHuntingFishingWater SportsOHV/ATVs AllowedHorseback Riding

Handicapped Services:
ParkingRestroomsNo PhoneNo CampgroundNo Picnic AreaNo Observation AreaNo Visitor CenterInterpretive MaterialsNo Boat RampNo ConcessionsHiking Trails
What do these icons mean?


Habitat
marshes/lakes/ponds Graph illustrating 55% 55%
other Graph illustrating 1% 1%
sage/shrub Graph illustrating 44% 44%

Best Observation Times
Bird Species Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec AM/PM
Raptors N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y ALL
Shorebirds N N N N Y Y Y N N N N N ALL
Songbirds N N N N Y Y Y Y Y N N N AM
Upland Birds N N N N N N N N N N N N
Waterbirds N N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N ALL
Waterfowl N N Y Y Y N N Y Y Y Y N ALL
Target Species for this Site

Select a species from the list to view other sites on the Idaho Birding Trail Sites this species may be observed.

    Bittern, Herons and IbisesBlackbirds and alliesChickadees and TitmouseGeese, Swans and DucksGrebesHawks and EaglesJaegers and GullsKinglets and GnatcatcherLarkLoonOwlsPelicans and CormorantShorebirdsShrikesSparrows and alliesSwallowsTernsThrashersTyrant FlycatchersWaxwingsWood WarblersWrens and Dipper

    Legend

    SeasonAbundanceRegion
    R - Resident 1 - Abundant, easily found s - Statewide
    M - Migrant 2 - Common, but sometimes difficult to find e - Southeast
    W - Winter 3 - Uncommon or local w - Southwest
    S - Summer 4 - Rare or very local c - Central
    5 - Casual, 3-10 accepted records p - Panhandle (North)
    6 - Accidental, 1-2 accepted records
    7 - Experimental
    (B) - Documented breeding evidence(End) - Threatened or Endangered
    (b) - Circumstantial breeding evidence(Int.) - Introduced species


    New! Browse the Idaho Birding Trail in Google Maps or Google Earth




     Contact Us
    Your Name:

    Your Email Address:

    Your Message: