Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area (MSWMA) is a protected area in Arkansas that spans over 21,000 acres.


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Summary

It is known for its diverse ecosystem, which includes swamps, forests, and wetlands, making it an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife.

One of the main reasons to visit MSWMA is to observe its rich flora and fauna. Visitors can spot a range of animals, including alligators, black bears, deer, and various bird species. The area is also home to several rare and endangered species, such as the Louisiana pine snake and the red-cockaded woodpecker.

The MSWMA also has several points of interest for visitors to explore, including the Bayou Maurepas, which flows through the area and is popular for fishing and boating. The boardwalk trail is another highlight, providing visitors with a unique opportunity to observe the swampland up close.

Interesting facts about the MSWMA include that it is one of the largest and most important wetland areas in Arkansas and is part of a larger network of protected areas known as the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. The area is also home to some of the oldest cypress trees in the state, some of which are estimated to be over 1,000 years old.

The best time of year to visit the MSWMA is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and wildlife is most active. During the summer, the heat and humidity can be intense, while winter may bring occasional flooding.

Overall, the MSWMA offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore a diverse ecosystem and observe a variety of wildlife in their natural habitat.

       

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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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