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Arkansas is home to lots of wildlife, from protected species at refuges to animals roaming wild in the state’s many national forests and parks. These are a few attractions and wildlife reserves where families can get up close and personal with animals in Northwest Arkansas.
Logan Cave
Logan Cave is a National Wildlife Refuge that’s northwest past Fayetteville, just minutes from the Kansas border. Since this is a cave formation, it also offers a look at some unique nocturnal creatures that are hard to find in other parts of the state. A few of the most noteworthy species include:
- Gray bat: This endangered species of bat can be seen flying and hanging upside down in the caves.
- Ozark fish: This is a threatened species that grows no bigger than two inches. Look for them swimming in the water inside the caves — they have unpigmented skin (appearing white or pink) and have no eyes.
- Benton Cave Crayfish: This is a rare species of crayfish that’s native to Arkansas. Logan Cave is one of only four known locations where you can see this critically endangered species.
Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge is in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, roughly two miles north of Highway 412. The refuge spans 123 acres.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
There are a few locations in Arkansas where animals that aren’t native to the area are cared for. One of the most notable examples is Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. This spot is dedicated to rescuing exotic cats from around the nation, which means several gorgeous tigers and other species are protected here.
Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for teens, and $10 for seniors, veterans, and kids. You can buy tickets online, but note that the refuge does close when there’s inclement weather. So, confirm that you can visit before making your purchase. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is at 239 Turpentine Creek Lane in Eureka Springs. It’s summer hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and its winter hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ouachita National Forest
The huge Ouachita National Forest is a fantastic place to go if you want to view Arkansas’ native species in the land, air, and water. Fishing and birding, especially around Lake Ouachita and the other bodies of water in this area, are popular here for a reason. This is an enormous space spanning 1.8 million acres, so there’s plenty of space to reserve a camping spot and turn your trip into a weekend family excursion.
Among the many species of wildlife in the forest, you may see:
- Woodpecker
- Bald eagles
- Louisiana black bear
Ozark National Forest
On the north side of Interstate 40 lies another huge outdoor space — Ozark National Forest. This area covers 1.2 million acres and also has spots for camping, hiking, fishing, and birding. Watch for animals, such as chipmunks, elk, bobcats, eagles, and black bears.
Northwest Arkansas is full of places where you can see wildlife and protected animals up close and personal. Pack your car for a day of family fun and environmental education at a few of these locations throughout the state.
Photo by jmeissen | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0
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