Great River Road
White River National Wildlife Refuge, AR

This refuge is a natural wonder, the largest remaining tract of bottomland hardwoods (160,000 acres) in the state. Located within the floodplain of the lower White River just a few miles above its confluence with the Mississippi River, the refuge is from 3 to 10 miles wide and extends along the White River for 90 river miles. Hugely popular with deer hunters and fishermen, it includes 350 lakes teeming with bass and panfish. The refuge has the largest concentration of wintering Mallard Ducks in the Mississippi Flyway, along with large concentrations of snow and Canada geese; numerous species of wading birds, shorebirds and raptors (e.g., Mississippi Kites, Red-shouldered Hawks, and a few active Bald Eagle nests). The refuge also has a healthy population of native black bears. It is best visited by boat, but a few intersecting roads and levees, with accompanying hiking trails, increase accessibility.