Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Attractions - Tule Lake NWR consists of 39,116 acres of primarily open water areas and croplands. Approximately 17,000 acres are leased by farmers under a program administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Refuge personnel or permittees farm another 1,900 acres of cereal grain and alfalfa.

These crops, together with the waste grain and potatoes from the lease program, are a major food source for migrating and wintering waterfowl. The endangered Lost River and shortnose suckers, as well as bald eagles and peregrine falcons, live in or use this refuge.

There are also large summer populations of herons, egrets, grebes, terns, and gulls. During the winter there is the largest wintering concentration of bald eagles (500+) in the lower 48 States as daily feeding grounds.

Recreation - There is a visitor center at the headquarters. Recreational activities include wildlife observation, study, and photography. A limited number of photo blinds are strategically situated for great photo opportunities. A ten mile auto tour route allows wildlife observation throughout the year. Hunting for geese, ducks (including mergansers), coots, moorhens, snipe, and pheasant is also permitted.

Climate - The weather in northeastern California is particularly unpredictable and visitors should be ready for all conditions throughout the year. The variable climate ranges from warm, dry summers to cold, severe, moderately wet winters. Temperatures range from highs of over 100 F for a few weeks intermittently each summer, although they can drop to below freezing every month of the year. Winter temperatures reach as low as -35 F, although common daytime temperatures rise to the 30's and 40's.

Location - The north boundary of the refuge is located 1 mile south of Tulelake. The refuge headquarters are located 5 miles west of Tulelake and 4 miles south of the Oregon-California border. This refuge has several entrances - please write for a map.