Minidoka National Historic Site

Minidoka National Historic Site is a national historic site run by the National Park Service in Idaho and Washington.

In the park service’s words

During World War II, over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry were forcibly removed from their homes and incarcerated without due process of law. Although little remains of the barbed-wire fences and tar-papered barracks, the Minidoka concentration camp once held over 13,000 Japanese Americans in the Idaho desert. Minidoka preserves their legacy and teaches the importance of civil liberties.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Things to do

• View Exhibits at the Minidoka Visitor Center: Much of the Minidoka Visitor Center, located within a historic warehouse, is dedicated to museum exhibits. Displays and historic objects help to tell the story of the Japanese Americans incarcerated here during WWII.
• Take a Self-Guided Walking Tour of Minidoka (30 to 120 Minutes): Minidoka National Historic Site offers 1.6 miles (2.5 km) of gravel walking trails. Visitors may explore the site and the exteriors of historic structures at their own pace. Educational exhibits are placed along the trail to provide information.
• Watch the Minidoka Film (0 to 30 Minutes): "Minidoka: An American Concentration Camp" offers a moving introduction to Minidoka National Historic Site and the Japanese American incarceration during WWII. The 30-minute film, narrated by actor and incarceration survivor George Takei, can be viewed online or in person at the Minidoka Visitor Center.
• Become a Minidoka Junior Ranger!: Become a Minidoka Junior Ranger and earn a special badge or patch! Junior Ranger booklets offer opportunities for visitors of all ages to explore and help protect this important chapter in American history.

Fees and hours

Entrance fee: No entrance fee.

Hours: Daily, Sunrise to Sunset. The Historic Site is open daily during daylight hours year-round for self-guided tours. Visitor center hours and ranger program offerings vary seasonally. Restrooms are only open during Visitor center operations.

Getting there

Minidoka National Historic Site is located between the towns of Twin Falls and Jerome, Idaho in south central Idaho.

Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.

Miles are straight-line distances.

Visitor centers

• [Minidoka Visitor Center](): Mon Closed; Tue Closed; Wed Closed; Thu Closed; Fri 10:00AM - 5:00PM; Sat 10:00AM - 5:00PM; Sun 10:00AM - 5:00PM. The Minidoka visitor center is now closed for the season. The visitor center is open seasonally, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend. The grounds and walking trails remain open from sunrise to sunset daily. Brochure maps and passport stamps are available in the after-hours box outside the visitor center. Restrooms are only open during visitor center hours.

Weather

Jerome and Twin Falls, Idaho, gets 10 inches of rain per year. On average, there are 213 sunny days per year here. The July high is around 94 degrees. The January low is 22. High winds are common, and little shade is available at the site.

From the National Park Service (public domain).

Know before you go

Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.

Nearby

The nearest national park is Grand Teton, about 188 miles away in a straight line.

Sources

• National Park Service Data API: Minidoka National Historic Site (public domain)
• Official website

Last checked 1 November 2026.