Bayou Des Arc Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Bayou Des Arc Wildlife Management Area is a large conservation area located in the state of Arkansas.
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Summary
It is known for its diverse wildlife and unique natural features, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts.
There are several good reasons to visit Bayou Des Arc Wildlife Management Area, including its extensive network of hiking trails, birdwatching opportunities, and fishing and hunting opportunities. The area is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and numerous species of waterfowl and songbirds.
Specific points of interest within the wildlife management area include the Bayou Des Arc, which is a major tributary of the White River, and the Cache River, which is a major river in eastern Arkansas. The area also features several scenic overlooks, including the Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge, which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Interesting facts about Bayou Des Arc Wildlife Management Area include its designation as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy. The area also includes several rare and endangered species, including the Indiana bat and the Louisiana pine snake.
The best time of year to visit Bayou Des Arc Wildlife Management Area depends on the activity you are interested in. Spring and fall are popular times for birdwatching, while the summer months are popular for fishing and hunting. Overall, visitors to the area can expect to enjoy a unique and memorable outdoor experience any time of year.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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Rex Hancock Black Swamp Wildlife Management Area