Peter Helland Wildlife Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Peter Helland Wildlife Area is a popular destination for nature lovers in Mississippi.
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Summary
The area covers over 2,000 acres of wetlands, forests, and grasslands, providing a diverse range of habitats for a variety of wildlife.
One of the main reasons to visit the area is to see the wide variety of birds that call the place home. Over 150 species of birds have been spotted in the area, including migratory birds such as waterfowl and shorebirds. Visitors can also spot wildlife such as deer, alligators, and otters.
One of the most popular spots in the Peter Helland Wildlife Area is the observation tower, which offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding wetlands and forests. The area also boasts several trails for hiking and biking, as well as fishing opportunities in its many ponds and streams.
Interesting facts about the area include its history as an important hunting ground for Native American tribes, as well as its role in providing habitats for endangered species such as the Mississippi sandhill crane.
The best time of year to visit the Peter Helland Wildlife Area is during the fall and winter months, when the migration of birds is at its peak. However, the area is open year-round and offers something to see and do during every season.
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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
Jennings Creek Wildlife Area
Wyona County Park
Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area
Grassy Lake Wildlife Area
Grand River Marsh Wildlife Area