Birding Hotspots of Central Arkansas

On the map above, use the balloons for location information and/or driving instructions.

  • Cook’s Landing – A Corps of Engineers park on the North Little Rock side of the Arkansas River at Murray Lock and Dam, this park remains an excellent spot for birding even with the admittedly large number of people who visit it daily. Over 210 species have been identified at this site. GPS 34.800,-92.355
  • Two Rivers Park – Visible to the west from the I-430 bridge, this is a young park still in development.  It contains large areas of field, marsh, and woodland surrounded by, yes, two rivers.  Over 210 species have been observed here so far. Click here for a trail map. GPS 34.811,-92.402
  • Pinnacle Mountain State Park – This day use only state park is a mix of wetland and mountains with the Ouachita Trail thrown in for good measure.  Click here for details. GPS 34.846,-92.486
  • Murray Park – On the Little Rock side of the Arkansas River and visible from Cook’s Landing, this park is an excellent place for fall migrants. GPS 34.785,-92.335
  • Allsopp Park – Located in the part of Little Rock known as Riverdale, this almost completely wooded park on the side of a hill is one of the best areas for spring migrants. Click here for a trail map. GPS 34.762,-92.314
  • Gillam Park – Recently adopted by Audubon Arkansas, this “retired” city park is being reinvented as a natural area. GPS 34.702,-92.253
  • Knoop Park – This is a small city park located in the Hillcrest area of Little Rock that is a excellent location for spring migrants. Click here for a trail map. GPS 34.756,-92.304
  • Boyle Park – Historically one of the best places in Little Rock for birding with Rock Creek running through it. Click here for a trail map. GPS 34.721,-92.357
  • Rock Creek Trails – This little known area, not really a park, in west Little Rock that follows Rock Creek for a while is a good place to look for spring migrants before going into work.  Click here for a trail map.  GPS 34.756,-92.407
  • Burns Park – This large city park in North Little Rock covers rivers, fields, valleys, and hill sides.  Click here for a trail(s) map. GPS 34.795,-92.318
  • Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area – This WMA in Mayflower is a 280 acre wetlands restoration project with two main areas – North and South. South consists of a waterfowl rest area and trails but its the north entrance, over the Lake Conway dam, that gets the most birding attention. Its an excellent place for spring migrants, especially warblers. GPS 34.939,-92.418
  • Willow Beach – Another Corps of Engineers park , this area to the southeast of Little Rock is a great place for spring and fall migrants. GPS 34.698,-92.137
  • Lake Maumelle – Central Arkansas’ primary source of drinking water this deep lake comes to birding life in the fall and winter when many species of waterfowl come to hang out. Click here for a detailed report of access points. GPS 34.833,-92.572
  • Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery – not as large as many private fish farms but still open to the public and can still be a good spot when they’ve drained a pond or two. GPS 34.769,-91.908
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