Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a 39,300-acre national wildlife refuge in Siskiyou County, California, established in 1928, 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 Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge map
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.
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. Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
- No. There is no entrance fee at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
- Yes. Hunting is allowed on Tule Lake 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 Tule Lake 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 Tule Lake 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, Tule Lake Auto Tour Route.
Hours, fees, and visitor center
Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
There is no entrance fee at Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, boating, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, paddling, photography, wildlife viewing.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Auto tour route
- Tule Lake Auto Tour RouteScenic loop with wildlife viewing pullouts
Source: fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/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 Tule Lake 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 Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Source: fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Fishing and boating
Fishing is allowed on Tule Lake 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/tule-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Trails
- Discovery Marsh TrailTrails include Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge routes; check refuge map for seasonal closures
- Dave Champagne Canoe TrailTrails include Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge routes; check refuge map for seasonal closures
- Sheepy Ridge TrailTrails include Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge routes; check refuge map for seasonal closures
- Hill Road Overlook TrailTrails include Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge routes; check refuge map for seasonal closures
- Overlook Spur TrailTrails include Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge routes; check refuge map for seasonal closures
- White Rock Island TrailTrails include Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge routes; check refuge map for seasonal closures
- Wildlife Overlook TrailTrails include Discovery Marsh and Sheepy Ridge routes; check refuge map for seasonal closures
Source: fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Places on the refuge
- MarshDiscovery MarshMarsh area reached via Discovery Marsh Trail.
- PlaceDave Champagne Canoe TrailNamed canoe trail on the refuge.
Source: fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Tulelake
- 25 miles from Klamath Falls
Source: fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.
Public lands next to Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge
- National Park Service unitTule Lake National Wildlife Refuge borders Lava Beds National Monument.
- National forestTule Lake National Wildlife Refuge borders Modoc National Forest.
- National Park Service unitTule Lake National Wildlife Refuge borders Tule Lake National Monument.
- Wilderness areaLava Beds Wilderness is 0.1 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
- National wildlife refugeLower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge is 0.3 miles away, straight line between the two boundaries.
Measured between the units' boundaries as mapped in USGS PAD-US. Distances are straight line, not driving.
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.recreation.gov/camping/gateways/1649 (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/visit-us (accessed 2026-09-29)
- https://www.fws.gov/refuge/tule-lake/about-us (accessed 2026-09-29)