Iron Mountain Natural Area Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Iron Mountain Natural Area Wildlife Management Area is a 2,712-acre protected area located in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas.
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Summary
It is a popular destination for hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. The area is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including black bears, white-tailed deer, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians.
One of the main attractions of Iron Mountain Natural Area Wildlife Management Area is the Iron Mountain Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The trail is a challenging 7.5-mile loop that takes hikers through a variety of habitats, including hardwood forests, pine groves, and rocky outcroppings.
Other points of interest in the area include the Iron Mountain Lake, which is a popular spot for fishing and boating, and the Iron Mountain Cemetery, which contains the graves of early settlers and Civil War soldiers.
Interesting facts about Iron Mountain Natural Area Wildlife Management Area include that it was once a popular spot for mining iron ore in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The area is also home to several rare plant species, including the Ozark trillium and the Ouachita Mountain goldenrod.
The best time of year to visit Iron Mountain Natural Area Wildlife Management Area is in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Visitors should be aware that hunting is allowed in the area during certain seasons, so it's important to check the park's website for any restrictions or closures.
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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
Janssen Park
Lee McMillan Memorial Park
Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness
Beech Creek National Scenic Area and Botanical Area