Great River National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Great River National Wildlife Refuge is located in the state of Arkansas and was established in 1958.
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Summary
The refuge is located along the Mississippi River and covers over 160 miles of the river's shoreline.
There are several good reasons to visit the Great River National Wildlife Refuge, including the opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife such as bald eagles, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and many species of waterfowl. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, fishing, and hunting in designated areas of the refuge.
Some specific points of interest to see in the Great River National Wildlife Refuge include the Overcup Oak Natural Area, which is a 200-acre forested area that provides habitat for a variety of wildlife. There is also the Redman Creek Recreation Area, which offers a boat launch and camping facilities.
One interesting fact about the Great River National Wildlife Refuge is that it is home to one of the largest and most significant concentrations of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states. The refuge also contains important migratory bird habitat and is an important stopover for waterfowl migrating along the Mississippi flyway.
The best time of year to visit the Great River National Wildlife Refuge is during the fall and winter months, when many species of migratory birds and waterfowl are present. The refuge is open year-round, but some areas may be closed during certain times of the year to protect wildlife and their habitats.
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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
Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge
Riverview Park B
Prairie Slough Natural Area