Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex

10/07/2026

⚠️Aerial spraying planned at Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge: Boat Ramp Parking and North Refuge Road closed⚠️

The Lake Walcott State Park Boat Ramp Parking Area will be closed all day on Thursday, October 8th, and the North Refuge Road will be closed from October 8th at 6:00 am through Friday, October 9th at 9:00 am. The public is asked to stay out of the area during the closure for your safety. This aerial spray project will help to control the spread of cheatgrass and other annual weeds on the north side of the Refuge. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Refuge office by phone at 208-436-3589.

09/16/2026

Due to the drawdown at Lake Walcott, staff at Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge have pulled out the buoys early. Even with the buoys not present, the no boating areas are still in effect, and these areas are detailed in the refuge brochure map. With the low water levels, please use caution when putting your boat in the water.

Have a happy and safe fall enjoying your National Wildlife Refuges!

📸 Staff pulling buoys from the water using a winch by Jaime Allen/USFWS

09/14/2026

09/08/2026

Over the weekend, a cyanobacteria health alert was issued for Lake Walcott. Cyanobacteria are a natural part of the lake ecosystem, but when conditions allow for them to multiply rapidly, they form "blooms" which release toxins into the water. These cyanotoxins pose a high risk to the health of people, pets, and livestock. Please see the shared IDEQ resources to learn more, and use caution when recreating in and around the water.

A cyanobacteria health alert has been issued for Lake Walcott in Blaine County. Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (HABs) pose a high risk to the health of pets and livestock and can cause illness in humans, especially small children.

Cyanobacteria are a natural part of Idaho’s waterbodies, but when conditions are right, they can multiply rapidly, or “bloom,” and release toxins into the water. Exposure to cyanotoxins through skin contact or ingestion can cause skin irritation, upset stomach, and more serious symptoms. Effects can be more serious in animals since they are more likely to drink the water.

Blooms don’t all look the same; they may look like mats, foam, spilled paint, or surface scum and have a foul odor. Use caution when recreating in and around water. When in doubt, stay out and keep pets out of the water.

Learn more about cyanobacteria blooms and how to report a potential bloom on the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality website at https://www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/surface-water/cyanobacteria-harmful-algal-blooms/

Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation
Lake Walcott State Park
Blaine County Sheriff Idaho
Blaine County, Idaho
South Central Public Health District

07/28/2026

Did you know that white-faced ibises can share nesting colonies with Franklin's gulls? Both species are colonial nesters, meaning they nest within close proximity of each other in sizeable groups. In a large, productive wetland, colony sizes can be hundreds or even thousands of birds!

White-faced ibises prefer to nest in dense marsh habitat, or in low-hanging trees and shrubs over water. They can be spotted foraging in meadows and shallow wetlands for invertebrates 🪱🦗🐌

📸 White-faced ibis at Grays Lake NWR by Dana Duran/USFWS

07/25/2026

On Saturday, August 15th, the North American Lead-free Partnership, in collaboration with the USFWS, will host an educational workshop at Camas National Wildlife Refuge.

The workshop will focus on providing voluntary information, resources, and incentives to hunters considering choosing lead-free hunting am******on in their hunts at select NWRs. The voluntary lead-free incentive program, which reimburses hunters for their purchase of up to two boxes of lead-free hunting am******on, partners with refuge hunters to proactively address the potential impacts of lead exposure to scavenging wildlife from lead-core hunting am******on.

Click the link below to view details and sign up! Space is limited and sign up is required.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeTNKqszPaLYrQpqEHV0l7jKCw3hyx3t3-2wawKTTRcEAORrw/viewform

06/27/2026

The highlights at Camas National Wildlife Refuge from the past 1-2 months include water, birds, and...art! 🌊🦆🎨

Water at Camas has been flowing from the wells, attracting a variety of waterbirds that can be spotted along the auto tour route. The wildlife views don't stop when you need a pit stop, however; the Friends of Camas recently commissioned some incredible Camas-themed murals on the walls of the refuge's vault toilets, featuring many of the refuge's most iconic critters.

06/27/2026

This Melissa blue butterfly took a break from frolicking around the meadow to loaf on some showy milkweed!

Do you know how to tell the difference between male and female blue butterflies? Males will have vibrant blue upper wings with a black border, while females have dusky brown wings with blue iridescence and an orange border. What do you think this butterfly is?

📸 Melissa blue butterfly at Minidoka NWR by Ty Matthews/USFWS

05/20/2026

Looking for a weekend road trip? Spring and early summer are the best times of year to visit Grays Lake NWR for viewing wildlife and colorful blooms straight from your vehicle.

Moose, elk, sandhill cranes, long-billed curlews, white-faced ibises, cinnamon teal, northern shovelers, mountain bluebirds, and American kestrels have been some of the most commonly sighted critters at the refuge these past few weeks. The best times of day to view wildlife are around sunrise and sunset, though all of these species could be spotted throughout the day as well.

If you're looking for beautiful blooms, the meadows are already dotted yellow with buttercups, dandelions, and canary violets. Camas, northern mule's ear, and many other species are just around the corner!

04/29/2026

On Thursday, May 14th, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a public dedication ceremony for the new interpretive and wayfinding exhibits at Camas National Wildlife Refuge. The ceremony will take place from 11:00 am to 11:30 am, followed by an open auto tour from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Visit the link below to learn more about this event and the story behind the new exhibits!
https://www.fws.gov/event/new-exhibit-dedication-camas-national-wildlife-refuge

📸Image of one of the new exhibits by Emily Rabus/USFWS