Visiting Minidoka National Historic Site

Historic image of a Minidoka residential block. National Archives and Records Administration

Minidoka National Historic Site is an unexpected feature of the Magic Valley landscape. With the guard tower cutting a stark figure against the surrounding farmland, the historic military checkpoint station is the first landmark to greet visitors as they make their journey into the park. On one side of the entrance, a barbed wire fence symbolizes the harsh imprisonment of 13,000 people in the Idaho desert. On the other, a World War II Honor Roll represents those who fought for the country that mistreated them.

In 1942, President Roosevelt authorized the U.S. Army's forced removal of 110,000 Japanese Americans from the West Coast. Allowed to bring with them only what they could carry, families embarked on a two-day train ride to camps within the U.S. interior, where they were imprisoned without trial. Despite the hardships, they salvaged their lives as best they could. Minidoka is one of three such camps, along with Manzanar and Tule Lake, which are now protected by the National Park Service.

“We were afraid,” says Kay Sakai Nakao of Bainbridge Island, Washington. Nakao is one of several camp survivors who share their story in the Minidoka park orientation film. “You looked like the enemy. But we’re American citizens.”

Camp survivor and ranger view exhibits in the visitor center. NPS/Richard Alan Hannon

In February of this year, Minidoka held the official grand opening of its new visitor center. Adapted from a historic warehouse from the camp, the visitor center offers

exhibit panels and interactive media to walk visitors through this complex history. Also incorporated into the warehouse is a 17-seat theater for daily viewings of the new park film, as well as displays to showcase artifacts from the Minidoka Collection. All provide insight into life at camp.*

Leading up to the grand opening of the visitor center, Minidoka partnered with local organizations— including Friends of Minidoka, the City of Boise, the Idaho State Museum, Boise State University, the Museum of Idaho, the Ketchum Community Library, and the ACLU—to install traveling exhibits, schedule film screenings, and host discussion panels and other events.

Visitor looking at the Issei Memorial inside the Minidoka visitor center. NPS/Richard Alan Hannon

This season, we invite everyone to come and see Minidoka for themselves. There is much to learn, whether by browsing the visitor center or joining a ranger-led tour into the historic buildings. Visitors may also enjoy a self-guided tour along our 1.6 mile trail, marked with 27 outdoor exhibit panels, from sunrise to sunset. In any case, we are thrilled to have the resources to accommodate you.

*Following guidance from the CDC, state and NPS Public Health Service officials, some visitor services may be impacted. For updated information on temporary closures and modifications to operations, please visit Minidoka's website: nps.gov/miin

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