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Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

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Last Updated: December 4, 2025

Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is a nature reserve located in northern Idaho.


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Summary

The refuge spans over 2,774 acres and is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including moose, elk, bears, and numerous bird species. It was established in 1961 as a breeding ground for waterfowl and has since become an important habitat for many other species.

One of the main reasons to visit Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is for the opportunity to observe wildlife in its natural habitat. The refuge offers numerous hiking trails and wildlife viewing areas where visitors can see animals like moose, elk, and deer up close. Birdwatching is also a popular activity, with over 200 bird species having been spotted in the area.

Some of the specific points of interest at Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge include the Kootenai River, which runs through the refuge and provides a home for many aquatic species, as well as the diverse array of habitats, which range from wetlands to forests.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is home to one of the largest populations of moose in the United States, and that the refuge is also an important breeding ground for tundra swans. Additionally, the refuge was once home to the Kootenai Tribe of Native Americans, who used the area for hunting and fishing.

The best time of year to visit Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is in the summer months, when the weather is mild and many of the wildlife species are most active. However, the refuge is open year-round and each season offers its own unique opportunities for observation and exploration.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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