National wildlife refuge

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is a 5,035-acre national wildlife refuge in Siskiyou County, California, established in 1908, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex. There is no entrance fee. It is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge
Photo: Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge map

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

Fire restrictions change with the season and can start or lift within days. Check the current orders for this area before any campfire, stove, smoking, target shooting or off-road driving.

Common questions

Yes. Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
No. There is no entrance fee at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.
Yes. Hunting is allowed on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
Yes. Fishing is allowed on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
Yes. Dogs are allowed on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Yes. The refuge has an auto tour route, Lower Klamath Auto Tour Route.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

There is no entrance fee at Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.

What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Auto tour route

  • Lower Klamath Auto Tour RouteWildlife viewing loop with overlooks

Source: fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Wildlife

  • BirdWaterfowlWhen: winterPeak concentrations during Pacific Flyway migration
  • BirdShorebirdsWhen: spring and fallMudflats and shallow wetlands during migration

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.

Hunting rules for Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Pets

Dogs are allowed on Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Trails

  • Lower Klamath Photo Blind Trail(easy)Short trails to photo blind and wildlife overlooks
  • Wildlife Overlook Trail(easy)Short trails to photo blind and wildlife overlooks

Source: fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Places on the refuge

  • Viewing areaLower Klamath Photo BlindReachable via the photo blind trail for waterfowl photography

Source: fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Getting there

  • Nearest town: Tulelake
  • 20 miles from Klamath Falls

Source: fws.gov/refuge/lower-klamath/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Public lands next to Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge

Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.