The varied wildlife and habitats of Klamath Basin Refuge Complex are
a photographer's delight as photographic opportunities abound. A limited number of blinds
are available on Tule Lake and Lower Klamath Refuges by advanced reservation. Contact
Refuge Headquarters for further information.
General Information
Wildlife photography opportunities at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex
are excellent. To enhance these opportunities, eight photography blinds have been made
available, five on Tule Lake Refuge and three on Lower Klamath Refuge. These are available
for use during daylight hours and by reservation only. There is a charge of $5.00
per person per day for anyone using photo blinds on the Refuges. You may only
reserve one blind per day, but may reserve a given blind for up to two days per week.
Blind reservation requests are on a first come, first served basis and accepted only
within two months of the first date the blind will be used. Photo blinds are located to
take advantage of morning light.
At Tule Lake Refuge, three blinds (#2 Lower Sump Raptor Blind, and #4a North and #4b South Eagle Blinds on Sheepy ridge) are strategically located to facilitate bald eagle photography. Blind #7 on Lower Klamath Refuge is also primarily for photographing eagles and other raptors. During December through March you must enter these blinds before 7 am. Remember to dress appropriately. Although not a regular occurrence, winter temperatures can fall below 0 degrees F and summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees F.
Making a
Reservation
Blind reservations may be made in person, by telephone, or mail at the Klamath Basin
National Wildlife Refuge Complex Visitor Center, located 5 miles west of Tulelake, CA, on
Hill Rd. Telephone: (530) 667-2231. Visitor Center hours are 8 am - 4:30 pm, weekdays and
10 am - 4 pm weekends and holidays. The refuge visitor center is closed Christmas and New
Years days. Reservations by mail or telephone should be made at least 10 days prior to
intended use. Daily and season passes may be purchased via Visa/Mastercard when making the
reservation.
No permit will be made until payment has been received. The fee is $5 per person/day ($2.50 person/day for those photographers in possession of a Golden Age/Golden Access Passport). A season pass is available for $50 ($25 for those with the Golden Age/Access Passport). For those photographers requesting a permit by phone, the permit will be held pending receipt of payment. Please make checks payable to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Two permits will be issued to you; a "Refuge Permit" for you to carry on your person, and a "Photography Blind Permit" for you to display on your vehicle dashboard. There is no need to return the permits to the Visitor Center.
Reducing
Disturbance to Wildlife
Please conduct your activities so as to keep disturbance to wildlife at a minimum. For
example, make a genuine effort to exit the blind/area when there is no wildlife present.
Such actions will not only benefit wildlife but will help ensure continued, high quality
photographic opportunities. Photographers are encouraged to enter blinds prior to sunrise
which both reduces disturbance and helps achieve the best photographic results.
Blind
Descriptions and Locations
Blind locations along roads and access trails are each marked with a white fiberglass post
which includes the blind number, a directional arrow, and two red reflectors.
1 Hill Road Marsh and Waterbird Blind
A one or two person wooden blind at Tule Lake Refuge located near the boat ramp on Hill
Road. From the Refuge Visitor Center travel 2.7 miles south on Hill Road to the boat ramp
on your left. Park at the ramp. The blind is a short walk (50 yards) out the dike on the
north side of the boat channel. A minimum 200 mm lens is suggested. The blind faces the
water in a north/northwest direction. Best Times: spring and summer. During waterfowl
hunting season (generally mid October through mid January) the boat ramp area is used
extensively by hunters and few birds are present.
2 Tule
Lake Sump Raptor Blind
A one-person blind for photographing hawks and eagles at Tule Lake Refuge located near
Sump 1-B off the auto tour route. From the Refuge Visitor Center travel 4.8 miles south on
Hill Road, then turn left onto the auto tour route dike. In another 4.8 miles the tour
route splits to go left along the north shore of Sump 1-B. At this junction bear right and
continue 2.7 miles to the ?Authorized Vehicles Only? service road on your left. Turn left
onto this road and travel .25 miles. Park here along the roadside leaving room for other
vehicles to pass. The blind is located approximately 200 yards to the north across the
grassland near a tree (eagle perch). A minimum 200 mm lens is suggested. The blind faces
north. Best Times: winter. REMINDER: this blind must be entered before 7 am from
December through February.
3 Tule Lake Sump/Waterbird
Blind
A two-person, wooden blind at Tule Lake Refuge located on the south shore of Sump 1-B off
the auto tour route. From the Refuge Visitor Center, travel 4.8 miles south on Hill Road,
then turn left onto the auto tour route dike. In another 4.8 miles the tour route splits
to go left along the north shore of Sump 1-B and right along the south shore of Sump 1-B.
At this junction bear right and continue 3.5 miles. You will see the blind across the
grassland approximately 150 yards to your left near a willow tree. Park along the tour
route leaving room for other vehicles to pass. A minimum 300 mm lens is suggested. The
blind faces the water with several openings to photograph waterfowl and other water birds.
An opening also faces the willow tree. Best Times: spring and fall for waterbeds.
4 Sheepy
Ridge Eagle Blinds
Located at Tule Lake Refuge, these are essentially rock blinds with canvas/brush
coverings. Both blinds are reached by foot via steep and strenuous hikes up the ridge.
There are no developed trails. You must be in good physical condition before attempting
these climbs. In times of snow and ice the footing is extremely slippery and extra
caution should be used. At all times avoid walking on the loose collections of rocks
(scree) present as you can very easily lose your footing. REMINDER: these blinds must
be entered before 7 AM from December through March.
4aNorth Eagle Blind
A one-person blind located on Sheepy Ridge off of Hill Road. From the Refuge Visitor
Center travel 5.9 miles south on Hill Road to telephone pole number A463 on your right (do
not confuse this pole with A9463 which precedes A463). Park in the pull-off just south
and across the road from the pole. Look to the top of the ridge for a large dead tree
(eagle perch). Follow the deer trails up the steep hillside to the snag. The blind is
under a juniper tree facing north towards the snag at a distance of about 80 feet with the
sky as the background. Sunshine is necessary for good results. A minimum of 300 mm lens is
recommended. Best Times: December through early March.
4bSouth Eagle Blind
A one-person or close two-person blind located on Sheepy Ridge off of Hill Road. From the
Refuge Visitor Center travel 6.3 miles south on Hill Road and park off the uphill side of
the road at telephone pole A475. Looking towards the top of the ridge you will see a dead
tree (eagle perch) to the south. Hike up the steep hillside angling to the south as you
climb to the snag. The blind is under a juniper tree approximately 70 feet from the tree.
As it is level with the top of the roost tree, the blind faces agricultural fields of the
Southwest Sump as the background. A minimum 300 mm lens is recommended. Best Times:
December through March. {top of page}
5 Lower Klamath Marsh and Waterbird Blind I
A one-person, fiberglass cylinder blind located off the auto tour route at Lower Klamath
Refuge. From the Refuge Visitor Center travel 3.9 miles north on Hill Road to the
intersection with State Line Road (Route 161). Turn left and continue 7.6 miles to the
entrance of Lower Klamath Refuge on your left. Travel 1.7 miles to the fork in the road
and park here. The blind is approximately 200 feet north along the dike across the water
channel from the road just traveled. A minimum 200 mm lens is suggested with subject
distances varying from about 10 to 50 feet. The blind is well concealed and set low in the
west facing slope of the dike. It looks out into a marsh channel. Best Times: May through
early August.
6 Lower Klamath Marsh and Waterbird Blind II
A one-person fiberglass cylinder blind located along the water's edge near the northwest
corner of Lower Klamath Refuge. From the Refuge Visitor Center travel 3.9 miles north on
Hill Road to the intersection with State Line Road (Route 161). Turn left onto Stateline
Road and continue 11.4 miles. Park just off the highway on your left at the chain link
fence near the group of trees. Your permit allows you to cross the fence and hike the 500
yards along the dike to the blind. The blind is located near the first lone tree you
encounter and is positioned for photographing waterfowl and other waterbeds in the channel
in front of the blind. The blind faces west and a minimum 200 mm lens is suggested with
subject distances varying from about 15 to 100 feet. Best Times: spring, summer, and fall
(waterfowl, grebes, pelicans, herons, egrets)
7 Lower Klamath Eagle Snag Blind
A one-person blind for morning photography of eagles and raptors. Located 100 yards beyond
blind #6. Hike approximately 600 yards along the dike to the fiberglass blind on the dike
top located near a dead tree where eagles and raptors perch in the winter. The distance
from the blind to the snag is approximately 75 feet. A minimum 200 mm lens is recommended.
Best Times: mid- December through mid March. REMINDER: this blind must be entered
before 7 am. {top of page}
