Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Minidoka National Historic Site adventure.
Minidoka is a desolate, remote place in Idaho. President Franklin Roosevelt forced around 9.500 Japanese-Americans to live here for three years. It was a dark chapter in World War II's history.
The people forced to stay here were from Oregon and Washington. Jerome, Idaho, was a foreign land to them. Portland and Seattle were vibrant cities. This place was a wind-swept plain surrounded by distant mountains. It seemed like the surface of Mars to the American citizens held captive here.
The government feared that anyone with familial ties to Japan could undermine the war effort. Whether that was true or not, no one may ever know. Minidoka lets you experience a place in the middle of nowhere. Short, narrow barracks filled with bunks were living quarters. Watchtowers kept an eye on people's movements. Military police guards maintained patrols. Those interred were told what to eat, when to sleep and when to go to the bathroom.
The Minidoka site preserves the mess hall, military police headquarters, several residential blocks, and a tower, Some structures are restored, while others have been completely reconstructed. The aim of the site is to educate visitors to make sure that nothing like this ever happens again in American history.
Surrounding areas offer scenic beauty and remote campsites.