Minidoka National Historic Site Visitor Center

National parks tell a powerful history to humanity. This is a great way to recognize trials that humanity goes through. As of Summer 2024, The visitor center is only open on the weekends and it's pretty sparse but that too is part of the story.

We visited in winter so the visitor center was closed. Regardless there was a lot to see and learn about Japanese internment during WW2. There's a few walking trails, perhaps a couple miles. We also saw a pair of Lesser Spotted Owls perched in a tree!

Off the beaten path, it's a small but important historical site that documents and preserves the facility used to house Japanese Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor. While there are very few elements of the internment camp left, those that are there are preserved very well and give you an idea just how large this facility was - the 7th largest population in Idaho at its peak. Take the time to visit this monument. A new Visitors Center is under construction.

There is a lot of conflicting information on the internet about this site. It looks like there is a lot of work going on to make this a much better site, but as of May 2019 this is not a place to visit. You can take a walk around the camp and see some foundations of old buildings with a few informative signs describing life in the camp. There are also reconstructions of part of the perimeter fence, a guard tower, and a baseball field. Overall, skip this and see if it improves in the future. NOTE: there were no services available when we visited.

Annette served as a wonderful tour guide who provided great insight about the Hunt Camp history. The facility is modern and the presentations were very respectful. Highly recommend to anyone curious about what it was like during war time in the internment camp.

Interested in this place for several reasons but today it was for the Tour of Honor. I have mixed feelings about the internment of the Japanese People during WWII and right or wrong it happened. When I served in the Army I worked with a Mr. Tokio Hyashi, he was five years old when his family was moved to one of the camps. He and I were good friends and co-workers. So here we have a reminder of what can happen when war and paranoia grips our Nation. You can read the plaques in the photos I'v posted here. For me the Honor Roll spoke volumes to the American Spirit by the number of Japanese People who still fought for this country during WWII.

Amazing slice of history. This photo is from inside what's left of the camp's police building.

As of today it appears that the development of the Monument is an ongoing build. The visitors center looks to be brand new, but was unfortunately closed when I made a visit. The historical info located all around the property is very informative. I will visit again to see the growth of this historical monument and get my stamp for my passport.