Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeNearby: Beryl Anthony-Lower Ouachita Wildlife Management Area Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area located in the southern part of Arkansas and extending into northern Louisiana.
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Summary
The refuge spans over 65,000 acres and is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including alligators, black bears, and bald eagles. Visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife watching.
One of the main points of interest in the refuge is the Felsenthal Dam, which was built in the 1950s to control flooding in the area. Visitors can view the dam and take guided tours to learn about its history and construction. Other notable features include the Felsenthal Lock and Dam, which provides access to the Ouachita River, and the Bayou Bartholomew, which is the longest bayou in the world.
The best time to visit Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge is during the fall and winter months, when the weather is cooler and wildlife is more active. Visitors can also take part in seasonal activities such as hunting for deer and waterfowl, or fishing for bass and catfish in the refuge's many waterways.
Overall, Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. With its diverse wildlife, scenic landscapes, and rich history, it is an ideal place to explore and experience the beauty of the natural world.
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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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