Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area located in the state of Arkansas.
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Summary
The refuge was established in 1994 and covers a total area of 27,741 acres. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife species, including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various migratory birds.
One of the best reasons to visit Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge is to experience the natural beauty of the area. The refuge offers several activities for visitors, including hiking, fishing, and hunting. There are also several points of interest to see, such as the Pond Creek Delta and the Bottomland Hardwood Forest.
The Pond Creek Delta is a unique feature of the refuge and is home to a variety of plant and animal species. It is an ideal location for bird watching, as many migratory birds stop here during their annual migration. The Bottomland Hardwood Forest is another point of interest and is home to several rare and endangered plant species.
Interesting facts about Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge include its role in protecting the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the fact that it is one of the largest tracts of bottomland hardwood forest in Arkansas. The refuge also serves as an important resting and feeding ground for migratory birds.
The best time of year to visit Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge is during the fall and winter months when the weather is mild and wildlife activity is high. However, the refuge is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy the area's natural beauty throughout the year.
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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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