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Wilderness Areas in Arkansas

5 wilderness areas in Arkansas with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Newton County has the most (2). The darkest skies are at Caney Creek Wilderness (Bortle 2).

Top wilderness areas

Flatside WildernessWilderness Area
Flatside WildernessPerry County
Richland Creek WildernessWilderness Area
Richland Creek WildernessNewton County
Upper Buffalo WildernessWilderness Area
Upper Buffalo WildernessNewton County
Wilderness Area
Caney Creek WildernessPolk County
Wilderness Area
Black Fork Mountain WildernessPolk County

Map

How to photograph wilderness areas

Wilderness areas reward those who camp: being on location at sunrise and in the dark is the main advantage over day visitors.

  • Motorized and mechanized equipment, including drones, is prohibited in designated wilderness.
  • Group size limits and permits may apply; check with the managing agency.
  • Practice Leave No Trace — camp on durable surfaces away from lakes and streams.
  • Pack weight matters: a single zoom and a light tripod cover most situations.
  • Night skies are often among the darkest in the country.

Season: Most high wilderness is snow-free from July to September; lower deserts are best in spring and autumn.