Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area is a popular destination located in the state of Arkansas.


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Summary

This area spans over 23,000 acres and offers many activities for nature lovers. The area is known for its beautiful scenery, including hardwood forests, meadows, and wetlands. Visitors can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, fishing, and hunting.

There are many points of interest to see in the area, including the Black River, which is a popular spot for fishing. Visitors can also explore the Bayou DeView, which is home to many species of wildlife, including alligators, ducks, and deer. The area also has several hiking trails, including the Big Slough Trail and the Black River Trail.

One interesting fact about the area is that it is home to many endangered species, including the red-cockaded woodpecker and the Louisiana pine snake. The area is also known for its abundant wildlife, including black bears, bobcats, and coyotes.

The best time to visit the Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area is during the spring and fall months when the weather is mild, and the wildlife is most active. However, visitors should be aware that the area can be busy during hunting season.

Overall, the Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area is a must-see destination for nature lovers visiting Arkansas. With its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife, and many activities to enjoy, visitors are sure to have a memorable experience in this unique area.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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