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Lake Lowell Opens April 15 | Apertura del Lake Lowell el 15 Abril

To prepare for the lake opener of Lake Lowell at Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, we want to share some pointers:

  • The lake is open from April 15 – September 30 for motorized and non-motorized boating, fishing, swimming, and wildlife watching. If you bring a pet, it must be leashed.
    • To protect wildlife, please obey the no-wake zones on the southeast end of the lake, through the narrows and in a 200-yard zone on the south side of the lake.
  • October 1 – April 14, human-powered boats are allowed, but only 200 yards in front of the Upper and Lower Dams. Boat ramps are closed.

  • Reminder that we share the lake with wildlife and to please be respectful of your surroundings.

(Español) Para prepararnos para la apertura del Lake Lowell en el Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Deer Flat, queremos compartir algunas recomendaciones:

  • El lago estará abierto del 15 abril al 30 septiembre para paseos en bote motorizados y no motorizados, pesca, natación y observación de vida silvestre. Si trae una mascota, debe llevar correa.
    • Para proteger la vida silvestre, respete las zonas de velocidad reducida, en “Los Estrechos” (Narrows) y en una zona de 200 yardas en el lado sur.
  • Del 1 octubre al 14 abril, se pueden usar botes de tracción humana y flotadores, pero solo en las áreas de 200 yardas frente a las Represas Superior e Inferior (Upper and Lower Dams).
  • Le recordamos que compartimos el lago con la vida silvestre y que, por favor, sea respetuoso con su entorno.
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.

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

Marker

    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 expands access to green space, education and outdoor recreation for Americans living in and around cities and suburbs.
    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.