Planning a Visit to Deer Flat

Driving Directions

What to Do
Visitors to Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including wildlife-watching and photography, hunting, fishing, and environmental education. Contact us (208-467-9278) for more information.

During your visit, remember that wildlife comes first at a national wildlife refuge, so please obey all regulations. Pets must be on a leash at all times. Target shooting, airguns, paintball weapons, open fires, fireworks, camping, overnight parking, using metal detectors, gathering wood, and collecting plants, animals, rocks, or other specimens are not allowed on the refuge.

The best place to start your visit to Deer Flat is at the refuge Visitor Center, where you can pick up a refuge brochure, view wildlife from the observation room, enjoy hands-on activities in KidSpace, borrow a digital camera and do a photography scavenger hunt, or learn from interpretive displays. The Visitor Center is open weekdays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M, except on Federal holidays.

Elsewhere on the refuge, you might:

• Drive the self-guided Lake Lowell Unit Bird Tour or the Snake River Islands Unit Bird Tour.
• Hike the 1/2-mile, self-guided nature trail at the Visitor Center.
• Hike, mountain-bike, or ride your horse on existing roads and trails in the North Side, East Side, or South Side Recreation Areas. Please note: Part of the North Side Recreation Area was re-seeded in November 2003. That area is closed to the public for several years to allow plants to become established. Please obey all posted signs.
• Watch or photograph wildlife.
• Go fishing (during state seasons, special regulations in effect).
• Go hunting (during state seasons, special regulations in effect).

When to Visit
The refuge is open daily during daylight hours. The Visitor Center is open weekdays from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. and Saturdays from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M, except on Federal holidays. Some areas of the refuge are closed year-round or during particular seasons. Be sure to check the refuge map and observe signs.

 

Area Weather
The regional climate is arid to semi-arid. Annual precipitation is on average eleven inches, with most precipitation falling as winter snow and spring rain. Summer months are dry, sunny, and warm. Winter months are cool, but mild in comparison to the surrounding mountains.

Find out the current weather conditions.

Lake Water Levels
Lake Lowell is an irrigation reservoir, so the water level varies with irrigation needs and climatic conditions. See link for current water level.

Area Services
Nampa Chamber of Commerce
Caldwell Chamber of Commerce

Directions to the Refuge Visitor Center

• Take Exit 33A (west-bound) or Exit 33 (east-bound) off of I-84.
• After exiting the freeway, head west on Highway 55/Karcher Road.
• Follow Karcher Road about 3.5 miles to Lake Avenue.
• Turn left onto Lake Avenue and drive about 2.5 miles to the stop sign at Roosevelt Avenue.
• Turn right onto Roosevelt Avenue.
• At Indiana Avenue at the top of the hill, turn left into the refuge and follow the road to the Visitor Center