About Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge, with a backdrop of 14,000-foot Mount Shasta to the southwest, is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark.The 50,092-acre refuge is a varied mix of intensively managed shallow marshes, open water, grassy uplands, and croplands that provide feeding, resting, nesting, and brood-rearing habitat for waterfowl and other water birds. This refuge is one of the most biologically productive refuges within the Pacific Flyway.Approximately 80 percent of the flyway's migrating waterfowl pass through the Klamath Basin on both spring and fall migrations, with 50 percent using the refuge. Peak waterfowl populations can reach 1.8 million birds, which represent 15 to 45 percent of the total birds wintering in California. The refuge produces between 30,000 and 60,000 waterfowl annually.The refuge is also a fall staging area for 20 to 30 percent of the central valley population of sandhill crane. From 20,000 to 100,000 shorebirds use refuge wetlands during the spring migration. Wintering wildlife populations include 500 bald eagle and 30,000 tundra swan. Spring and summer nesting wildlife include many colonial water birds, such as white-faced ibis, heron, egret, cormorant, grebe, white pelican, and gulls.In all, the refuge provides habitat for 25 species of special concern listed as threatened or sensitive by California and Oregon. All refuge waters are delivered through a system of diversion or irrigation canals associated with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's Klamath Project. Consequently this leaves the refuge vulnerable to periodic water shortages due to an over-allocated system
How to Get There
From California: Head north on Interstate 5 to Weed, CA, then northeast 45 miles on Highway 97 to the Oregon Border. Take Stateline Road (Hwy. 161) east towards Tulelake, CA to Hill Road. Turn south on Hill Road. The visitor center is located 4 miles south on Hill Rd. From Oregon: Headquarters is located 20 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon via Hwy. 97 south to Stateline Rd (Hwy 161) east towards Tulelake, CA to Hill Road. Turn south on Hill Road. The visitor center is located 4 miles south on Hill Rd. Or from Hwy. 39 south from Klamath Falls to Merril Pit Rd, follow the signs from there to the visitor center located on Hill Rd. Please contact the refuge visitor center for more information at (530) 667-2231
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1493) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge?
From California: Head north on Interstate 5 to Weed, CA, then northeast 45 miles on Highway 97 to the Oregon Border. Take Stateline Road (Hwy. 161) east towards Tulelake, CA to Hill Road. Turn south on Hill Road. The visitor center is located 4 miles south on Hill Rd. From Oregon: Headquarters is located 20 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon via Hwy. 97 south to Stateline Rd (Hwy 161) east towar…
How do I contact Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 530-667-2231 or email: r8kbwebmaster@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
