1. Home
  2. National Wildlife Refuges
  3. Arkansas

National Wildlife Refuges in Arkansas

10 national wildlife refuges in Arkansas with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Prairie County has the most (1). The darkest skies are at Overflow National Wildlife Refuge (Bortle 2).

Top national wildlife refuges

Cache River National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Cache River National Wildlife RefugePrairie County
Big Lake National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Big Lake National Wildlife RefugeMississippi County
Felsenthal National Wildlife RefugeNational Wildlife Refuge
Felsenthal National Wildlife RefugeUnion County
National Wildlife Refuge
Wapanocca National Wildlife RefugeCrittenden County
National Wildlife Refuge
Logan Cave National Wildlife RefugeBenton County
National Wildlife Refuge
Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife RefugeArkansas County
National Wildlife Refuge
Holla Bend National Wildlife RefugePope County
National Wildlife Refuge
Bald Knob National Wildlife RefugeWhite County
National Wildlife Refuge
Overflow National Wildlife RefugeAshley County
National Wildlife Refuge
Pond Creek National Wildlife RefugeSevier County

Map

How to photograph national wildlife refuges

Wildlife is most active in the first and last two hours of daylight — exactly when the light is warmest.

  • Use auto-loop roads as mobile blinds; animals often tolerate vehicles more than people on foot.
  • Stay on designated routes and keep a respectful distance — if an animal changes behavior, you are too close.
  • A 400–600 mm lens (or a crop body) is the usual tool for birds.
  • Fast shutter speeds (1/2000 s+) freeze wingbeats; raise ISO rather than lose the shot.
  • Migration peaks bring the largest concentrations — see the birding calendar for this state.

Season: Spring and autumn migration are the highlights; winter brings waterfowl to many southern refuges.