Tule Lake NWR - Kayak Trip / Canoe Trip
Report Type: Day Trip Report
Trip Dates: September 2005
Nearest City: Tulelake, CA
Difficulty: Easy
Submitted by: dave54
Description:
The canoe trail here is a series of man-made channels for the wildlife refuge. The USFWS created the channels in a rough rectangular grid and marked out a two mile route for the trail.
Lots of waterfowl, songbirds, and shallow flatwater/riparian/marsh wildlife. The vegetation on either side of the trail is dense tule, so you can’t land and walk around. The USFWS doesn’t allow it anyway.
Not worth a destination trip, but if passing through or visiting the area it may be worth a half-day excursion. We spent the weekend camped in adjacent Lava Beds National Monument to explore the caves. The canoe trail was a one-time diversion.
The water trail further north on Klamath Lake is better. See the write-up in Oregon (www.paddling.net/places/showReport.html?1937).
Accommodations:
No camping on the Refuge.
Lava Beds National Monument is adjacent, has a campground.
Dispersed camping on nearby Modoc National Forest.
Motels in town of Tulelake.
Fees:
None
Directions:
See directions on Tule Lake NWR web site:
www.fws.gov/klamathbasinrefuges/tulecanoe.html
Great Products from the Buyers' Guide:
