Lower Dam Recreation Area

Lower Dam Recreation Area
This park is located on Riverside Drive at the Lower Dam (Caldwell side). Although owned by Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, Canyon County Parks maintains the park for our recreating public. Amenities include: picnic tables, BBQ grills, picnic shelter, restrooms, water, and a beach.

• Amenities at Lower Dam Recreation area are available on a first-come, first-serve basis: we do not offer reservations for park space or picnic tables.
• Bounce houses and inflatables are prohibited at Lower Dam Recreation Area.
• Lower Dam Recreation Area is open April 15–September 30, dawn to dusk. No overnight parking or camping is permitted at this park.
• For information on water quality health advisories related to seasonal algae blooms, visit the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s website, or contact Southwest District Health.

Lower Dam Recreation Area is owned by the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge. To plan your visit to the Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge, and to check the rules and regulations, visit their website.

Built by the Bureau of Reclamation to provide irrigation water for Canyon County agriculture, Lake Lowell opened in 1909 and is one of the largest off-stream reservoirs in the American west, with the capacity to irrigate over 200,000 acres of land. It has also become a popular recreation destination for the county’s citizens and visitors. Boating, swimming and fishing are among the many activities that folks enjoy at this beautiful oasis in southwest Idaho. Bird watching, hiking and hunting are other recreation options due to the presence of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Deer Flat National Refuge, also established in 1909. As part of the wildlife refuge, recreation on Lake Lowell’s shoreline and waters may be subject to seasonal restrictions.

Motorized and Non-motorized boating are allowed April 15 to September 30. Human-powered boats are allowed 200 yards in front of the Upper and Lower Dams between October 1 and April 14. The rest of the lake is set aside for migrating and wintering wildlife.

There are no day-use fees at this park.

Lower Dam Recreation Area is located on Riverside Drive in Caldwell.

From Lake Lowell Park:

• Drive North on Lake Ave.
• Turn West on Orchard Ave.
• At the end of Orchard Ave. turn left onto Sunny Slope Rd./Riverside Dr.
• Lower Dam Recreation Area and Lake Lowell Picnic Park are on the left.

From Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center:

• Leave the Visitor Center driveway and turn left onto Upper Embankment Rd. heading North.
• Continue straight onto Indiana Ave.
• Turn West on Orchard Ave.
• At the end of Orchard Ave. turn left onto Sunny Slope Rd./Riverside Dr.
• Lower Dam Recreation Area and Lake Lowell Picnic Park are on the left.