Oak Mountain National Game Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Oak Mountain National Game Refuge is located in the state of Arkansas and covers an area of 44,000 acres.
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Summary
The refuge features a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkey, bobcats, and black bears, making it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife watchers.
There are several reasons to visit Oak Mountain National Game Refuge. Visitors can explore the refuge's scenic hiking trails and enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding dense forests and valleys. The refuge also offers excellent opportunities for fishing, camping, and hunting.
One of the main points of interest in the refuge is the scenic drive along the wildlife loop. The loop provides visitors with an up-close and personal view of the refuge's diverse wildlife population.
Interesting facts about the refuge include that it is home to the largest population of black bears in Arkansas and that it is one of the few places in the state where visitors can see elk in the wild.
The best time of year to visit Oak Mountain National Game Refuge depends on the visitor's interests. Spring is an excellent time for bird watching, while fall is ideal for hunting and enjoying the fall foliage. Summer is the best time for camping and fishing, while winter offers the opportunity to view wildlife in their natural habitat.
Overall, Oak Mountain National Game Refuge offers visitors an unforgettable experience with its diverse wildlife, scenic hiking trails, and excellent recreational opportunities.
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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.
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