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Avoid sick or dead waterfowl

Visitors to the refuge may observe sick or dead waterfowl, due to a suspected outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza. Visitors should not approach or touch any birds that may appear to be dead, sick or are exhibiting abnormal behavior. Review our recent News story.

(Español) Visitantes del refugio podrán ver aves acuáticas enfermas o muertas, debido a un presunto brote de influenza aviar altamente patógena. Visitantes no deben acercarse ni tocar ninguna ave que pueda parecer muerta, enferma o que muestre un comportamiento anormal. Revise nuestro artículo reciente.

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Water with a greenish tint along a rocky shore with some plants emerging from the water.
Harmful Algae Bloom at Lake Lowell Unit

There is currently a Harmful Algae Bloom at Lake Lowell, with high concentrations of toxin-producing cyanobacteria that can be harmful to people, pets, and livestock. For more information, see the Public Health Alert.

(Español) Hay una floración de algas nocivas en Lake Lowell, con altas concentraciones de cianobacterias productoras de toxinas que pueden ser perjudiciales para las personas, las mascotas y el ganado. Para más información revisa el Aviso de Salud.

In southwest Idaho’s Treasure Valley, surrounded by suburban homes and farmlands, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge provides refuge for both wildlife and people. The refuge protects the Lake Lowell Unit and the Snake River Islands Unit to provide oases for resident and migratory wildlife, including spectacular concentrations of mallards and Canada geese. The refuge also provides a place for people to slow down, relax and unwind. Stop by and enjoy an adventure for your experience level on your public lands!
Refuge Information

Visitor Center

Refuge

  • Refuge Hours: Land and trails are open daily during daylight hours.
  • Review our Rules and Policies page for information on refuge regulations.
Hiker walking along a gravel trail and looking across some dry grasses and sagebrush toward a lake. In the foreground is a small tree with yellow and green leaves. In the distance are more trees along the shoreline.
Plan Your Refuge Visit
Unplug from the stresses of daily life at the refuge. Discover points of interest, maps, & how to respect wildlife and visitors.

Visit Us

National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. With a nearly 9,000-acre lake and more than 10 miles of trails, refuge visitors can easily find an adventure for their experience level. As you visit this wildlife home, be sure to slow down to watch wildlife and look for signs of wildlife like tracks, scat, and nests. Whether you come to fish, boat or swim in Lake Lowell or to hike, bird, hunt, picnic or just watch a sunset in the nearby uplands, there are many opportunities to connect with nature during your visit.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is an urban oasis where nature connects people, communities and wildlife. We welcome diverse communities to develop meaningful connections with nature and each other through educational and recreational experiences. The Lake Lowell Unit protects nesting colonies of western and Clark’s grebes and spectacular migratory and wintering concentrations of mallards and Canada geese. The Snake River Islands Unit provides important nesting habitat for ducks, geese, songbirds, herons, egrets and more. 

      What We Do

      The staff and partners at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge work year-round to maintain and enhance refuge lands and programs for both wildlife and the community. Our conservation toolbox includes controlling invasive species invasive species
      An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

      Learn more about invasive species       , restoring degraded habitat, creating new habitat, providing artificial nesting habitat, and seasonally or permanently closing some lands to provide undisturbed areas for wildlife.

      Services
      Silhouette of a person walking with a shotgun on the tundra
      Apply for a Special Use Permit on National Wildlife Refuges

      Some commercial, recreational and research activities are allowed on national wildlife refuges only with a special use permit issued by the local office, and are subject to specific conditions and fees. This permit requirement is meant to ensure that all activities at the federal site are...

      Service
      Communication
      Permits
      Business Owner/Commercial Business
      Educator/Education Facility
      Landowner - Commercial
      Landowner - Individual
      Oil/Gas Company
      Private Land Owners/Managers
      Researcher or Research Facility - Commercial Scientific

      Our Organization

      A bright blue sky obstructed by fluffy white clouds reflected off of a stream shot from inside a kayak
      The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages an unparalleled network of public lands and waters called the National Wildlife Refuge System. With more than 570 refuges spanning the country, this system protects iconic species and provides some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on Earth.
      Program
      Washington,DC
      A bison grazing in the foreground with mountains and a city and electrical infrastructure in the background
      The Urban Wildlife Conservation Program improves lives by expanding access to green space, education and outdoor recreation for Americans living in and around cities. Program members work to clear social and historical barriers and foster new connections that advance conservation and strengthen...
      Program

      Our Species

      The lake, wetlands, riparian riparian
      Definition of riparian habitat or riparian areas.

      Learn more about riparian       forests, and sagebrush sagebrush
      The western United States’ sagebrush country encompasses over 175 million acres of public and private lands. The sagebrush landscape provides many benefits to our rural economies and communities, and it serves as crucial habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including the iconic greater sage-grouse and over 350 other species.

      Learn more about sagebrush       uplands protected by the refuge provide homes to resident and migratory wildlife and native plants. Just a short drive from the busy Treasure Valley, you can spot bald eagles and other raptors, spectacular concentrations of migrating and wintering waterfowl and western and Clark’s grebes at one of the three largest nesting colonies in Idaho.

      Get Involved

      Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying.