Permit is required (easy to apply online) and received within an hour. Good for 6 months from approval. Save email as that is the proof of permit.
Directions and signage are not the best. We think we found the right parking area, but not 100%, prepare for a long walk to get to any real viewing area. We did go later in the morning, so on us as it was hot, hot, and hot. No facilities so plan accordingly - hit restroom on way, plenty of water (plenty) as we had no cell service. Prepare for a little hump in wide open, bring sunscreen, wide brim hat, maybe a snack, etc. Common sense stuff for locals, but us northerners need constant reminding as the walk back was starting to get brutal as we should have brought more H2O, better head cover.
Definitely will be back (earlier) as there is a lot of potential during the right time of day, year. We saw blue herons nesting, egrets, cormorants, and verdin, red-wing blackbirds. Growth of vegetation blocked a lot of viewing. read more