State Parks and National Parks

Big Lake Refuge in northern Arkansas is one of the nation’s oldest inland refuges. It is about 20 square miles and was established by an executive order signed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1915.

Before agricultural development, this region was covered by dense bottomland hardwood habitat. Today, Big Lake bottoms are the only remnants remaining in Mississippi County.

Big Lake's life flow, the right hand chute of Little River, is thought to result from a Mississippi River course change. The river's evolution deposited a large sediment area just south of what today is known as the Big Lake bottoms. This action, along with effects of the New Madrid earthquake of 1811-12, made Big Lake was it is today.

The majority of Big Lake Refuge's 11,038 acres is classified as wetland habitat. About 5,250 acres are swamp; 2,600 acres are open water; 2,159 acres are forest; 437 acres include levees, dikes, and administrative areas; 300 acres are marsh; 250 acres are moist soil; and 42 acres are cropland.

The 5,000 acres of the refuge designated as a National Natural Landmark contain seasonally-flooded bottomlands, open water, and permanently flooded swamplands. Pure stands of bald cypress, which are the only significant stands of virgin timber remaining in the area, dominate the tall species along with a mixture of white ash, tupelo, and scattered oaks.

A portion of the refuge has been designated as a Wilderness Area, and most of the 2,100-acre tract is within the Natural Landmark area.

Fishing and hunting are the chief attractions here, but wildlife observation, boating, and photography attract many visitors. The refuge is open to the public during daylight hours only.

Two public boat ramps are located on Big Lake. Fishing is allowed on refuge waters from March through October. From November through February, fishing is restricted to 200 acres south of the Sand Slough dam site and limited to non-motorized boats with electric trolling motors.

The Bald Cypress Wildlife Drive begins at the refuge headquarters and extends across the full 10-mile length of the refuge. Three miles of this drive is open year round. The remainder is open September through December. The Timms’ Point area includes a scenic overlook with excellent viewing of waterfowl, wading birds, ospreys, and bald eagles.

The refuge does not allow camping or picnicking. Access is limited due to topography, but vehicle, foot, and boat access offer ample wildlife viewing opportunities. Foot trails provide wildlife viewing opportunities as well as bank fishing access.

A wheelchair-accessible fishing pier located at Bright’s Landing is heavily utilized.

The refuge has two interpretive foot trails. The Oak Island nature trail is a 1.2-mile loop and the Bright’s Trail is a one-mile loop.

The nationally-significant Zebree Archeological Site is at Big Lake and an educational exhibit is in the refuge headquarters.

Photo credits in order: Photo by Jeremy Bennett, courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Courtesy of Corel. Courtesy of Corel.