Summary
There are several good reasons to visit the area, including its diverse wildlife and outdoor activities. Visitors can take part in hunting, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. The area is particularly renowned for its duck hunting, which attracts many visitors each year.
One of the main points of interest in the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area is the Bayou Meto Wildlife Management Area, which is a designated birdwatching area that is home to over 200 species of birds. The area is also home to several other species of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and black bear.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once a part of the Arkansas Delta, and that it has been protected since the 1950s. Additionally, the area is known for its old growth forests, which are home to some of Arkansas' largest trees.
The best time of year to visit the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area varies depending on the activity you want to participate in. For fishing, the best time is in the spring, while the fall is best for hunting. The winter is an excellent time for birdwatching, and the summer is ideal for hiking and exploring the area's many trails.
Overall, the Gene Rush Wildlife Management Area is a great destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its diverse wildlife, stunning scenery, and numerous activities, it is a must-visit location in Arkansas.
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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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Sam's Throne campsite
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Richland Creek
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Richland Creek Recreation Area
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Woolum
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Carver
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Carver - Buffalo National River
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