Petit Jean River Wildlife Management Area

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Parks

Iowa

Nearby: Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge Galla Creek Wildlife Management Area

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Petit Jean River Wildlife Management Area is a 4,200-acre wildlife sanctuary located in Logan County, Arkansas.

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Summary

It features a diverse range of flora and fauna, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Some good reasons to visit the area include hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. The area is home to a variety of game animals, including deer, turkey, and small game, making it a popular destination for hunters.

There are also numerous points of interest to see in the area, including the Petit Jean River, Cedar Creek, and Cedar Falls. Visitors can also explore the area's many hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Interesting facts about the area include its designation as a Wildlife Management Area, which means that it is managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to provide habitat for wildlife and recreational opportunities for visitors.

The best time of year to visit Petit Jean River Wildlife Management Area depends on the desired activity. Spring and early summer are the best times for hiking and camping, while fall is the prime time for hunting and fishing. Regardless of the season, visitors can expect to be surrounded by beautiful scenery and abundant wildlife.

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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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