Lake Terrell State Game Refuge

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lake Terrell State Game Refuge is a beautiful and peaceful place located in the state of Washington.


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Summary

There are many good reasons to visit the area, including hiking, camping, birdwatching, fishing, and picnicking. The area is home to a wide range of wildlife, including ducks, geese, bald eagles, and black bears.

One of the most popular points of interest in the area is Lake Terrell itself, which offers excellent fishing and boating opportunities. The lake is stocked with rainbow trout, and there are also largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie in the water. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats at the lake.

Another popular attraction in the area is the Nooksack River, which offers excellent fishing for salmon and steelhead. There are also several hiking trails in the area, including the Lake Terrell Loop Trail, which offers stunning views of the lake and surrounding forests.

Interesting facts about the Lake Terrell State Game Refuge include that it was established in 1939 and covers over 1,500 acres of land and water. The area is managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and is home to several threatened or endangered species, including the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, and Western bluebird.

The best time of year to visit Lake Terrell State Game Refuge is during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny. However, spring and fall can also be good times to visit, as the area is less crowded, and the scenery is stunning with the changing leaves.

Overall, Lake Terrell State Game Refuge is a beautiful and peaceful place to visit, offering a wide range of outdoor activities, stunning scenery, and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

       

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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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