This News Post is adapted from a feature in the Summer 2025 edition of Wildlife Out of Doors. Click here to read the full article.
September 26, 2026 is National Public Lands Day, a nationwide day of service and celebration in honor of public lands, and considering how they benefit wildlife and people alike, it’s a worthy day to observe! Whether you choose to volunteer at an official event or pay your nearby public property a visit, National Public Lands Day presents an opportunity to show your support to the lands that we steward and enjoy. Here are a few suggestions for places around the state to visit this weekend:
National Wildlife Refuges
A destination for waterfowl lovers, the Dale Bumpers White River NWR near St. Charles, Arkansas is the largest refuge in the state. While famous for its world-class waterfowl hunting, visitors can experience year-round wildlife viewing. Look for black bears, alligators, and a variety of shorebirds.
A birding hotspot, the Holla Bend NWF was established in the 1950’s near Dardanelle, Arkansas. It is situated between the Arkansas River and an oxbow lake.
There are a variety of habitat types on this refuge, including both remnant tallgrass prairie and bottomland hardwood forests. This provides ample opportunity to observe wildlife associated with these habitats.
Holla Bend also has several miles of gravel road making it a great place to watch wildlife from your vehicle!
National Parks
The Buffalo National River (America’s first National River) is Arkansas’ elk viewing hotspot.
The Buffalo River winds through the Ozark Mountains on its way to the White River in Buffalo City, Arkansas.
Renowned for its clear cool water and towering bluffs, “the Buffalo” is a haven for many species of wildlife including river otters, black bear, and Arkansas’ only resident population of elk. Thousands of visitors annually flock to view the elk as they graze open fields in Historic Boxley Valley near Ponca, Arkansas.
Arkansas Natural Areas
The Terre Noire Natural Area in Clark County is just a short drive from Arkadelphia, Arkansas and is managed by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC)
This nearly 500-acre Natural Area is one of the best Blackland prairie habitats in the state, making it an excellent place to observe showy wildflowers and spot some of the most impressive butterfly species in our state.
In fact, Terre Noire Natural Area is a great place to see Arkansas’ state butterfly, the Diana fritillary, as well as giant swallowtail butterflies, juniper hairstreaks, and many others.
Wildlife Management Areas
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) manages over 100 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across the state. WMAs are actively managed for quality habitat making them excellent public lands for wildlife watching as well as hunting and fishing.
Warren Prairie Natural Area WMA is a 6,000-acre area in Drew County, Arkansas that is co-managed by AGFC and Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC). Because of its unique soil chemistry, several rare plant communities can be found in the area’s saline barrens. You may also encounter red-cockaded woodpeckers, a threatened species in Arkansas, nesting in the area’s mature pine forests!
Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas has among the best state parks in the country, allowing access to some of our most wild and historic places while providing unmatched comfort and hospitality to visitors.
Mount Magazine State Park, just outside of Paris, Arkansas is a wildlife viewing hotspot with comfortable amenities and ample opportunities for adventure. It’s also the highest point in Arkansas offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape.
Other public lands
While the agencies mentioned constitute most of the public lands in Arkansas, there are still others to consider.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) manages many campgrounds around lakes and rivers in the state, and local municipalities manage city parks for the purpose of protecting wildlife habitat. These areas also provide convenient access to the outdoors, and day use fees are waived on all USACE recreation properties during National Public Lands Day!
As you enjoy your time outside this weekend, I encourage you to take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication of the public servants who ensure both wildlife and the visitors who come to enjoy them benefit from our amazing public lands.
