Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge

Arkansas · Southeast

EasyOfficial Site

Habitat

WetlandGrasslandForest

Best Seasons

WinterSpring

Difficulty

Easy

Best Months

November-April

Entrance Fee

Free

Hours

Dawn to dusk daily

About This Location

Holla Bend NWR occupies a former bend of the Arkansas River, creating a mosaic of wetlands, croplands, and bottomland hardwoods that attract impressive numbers of wintering waterfowl and raptors. Bald Eagles congregate here from November through February.

The refuge's auto tour loop offers excellent roadside birding, with large flocks of Snow Geese, thousands of ducks, and soaring eagles visible from your vehicle. Spring and summer bring nesting Painted Buntings, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, and Dickcissels.

Location

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Notable Species

Bald Eagle Snow Goose American White Pelican Painted Bunting Scissor-tailed Flycatcher

Live Bird Data

Notable Sightings

Blue-winged Teal

Spatula discors

3/4/2026Gaston's Resort & Nature Trail1 observed

Tree Swallow

Tachycineta bicolor

3/4/2026Gaston's Resort & Nature Trail2 observed

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

3/3/2026Judsonia WTP1 observed

Smith's Longspur

Calcarius pictus

3/3/2026Konecny Prairie Natural Area1 observed

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

3/3/2026Searcy WTP1 observed

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis

3/3/2026Searcy WTP1 observed

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

3/3/2026Bald Knob NWR--Central Ag Fields1 observed

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

3/3/2026Bald Knob NWR--Central Ag Fields1 observed

Smith's Longspur

Calcarius pictus

3/3/2026Stuttgart Municipal Airport6 observed

Great-tailed Grackle

Quiscalus mexicanus

3/3/2026US-63, Stuttgart US-AR2 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area1 observed

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Larus fuscus

3/3/2026Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area1 observed

Common Gallinule

Gallinula galeata

3/3/2026Arkansas Post National Memorial3 observed

Eastern Kingbird

Tyrannus tyrannus

3/2/2026Sunnymede Park2 observed

Red-tailed Hawk (Krider's)

Buteo jamaicensis

3/2/2026Bald Knob NWR--Central Ag Fields1 observed

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

3/2/2026Bald Knob NWR--Central Ag Fields1 observed

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

3/2/2026Bald Knob NWR--Central Ag Fields1 observed

Red-tailed Hawk (Krider's)

Buteo jamaicensis

3/2/2026Bald Knob NWR--Central Ag Fields1 observed

Neotropic Cormorant

Nannopterum brasilianum

3/2/2026Wapanocca NWR1 observed

Recent Observations

American Herring Gull

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

1 birds

Ring-billed Gull

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

170 birds

Canada Goose

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

2 birds

American White Pelican

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

50 birds

Lesser Scaup

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

1 birds

Black Vulture

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

10 birds

Turkey Vulture

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

5 birds

European Starling

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Goldeneye

Marina Shores

3/4/2026

1 birds

Eurasian Collared-Dove

Ryan's house

3/4/2026

2 birds

Pied-billed Grebe

Lake Dardanelle SP

3/4/2026

1 birds

Rock Pigeon

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

2 birds

Double-crested Cormorant

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

2 birds

Northern Mockingbird

Lake Dardanelle--Dam Site Public Use Area

3/4/2026

1 birds

Killdeer

Carter Rd, Hazen US-AR 34.77801, -91.60499

3/4/2026

2 birds

Northern Shoveler

Carter Rd, Hazen US-AR 34.77801, -91.60499

3/4/2026

70 birds

Greater White-fronted Goose

Carter Rd, Hazen US-AR 34.77801, -91.60499

3/4/2026

50 birds

Snow Goose

Carter Rd, Hazen US-AR 34.77801, -91.60499

3/4/2026

300 birds

Ross's Goose

Carter Rd, Hazen US-AR 34.77801, -91.60499

3/4/2026

3 birds

Pectoral Sandpiper

Carter Rd, Hazen US-AR 34.77801, -91.60499

3/4/2026

12 birds

Birding Tips

1
Drive the auto tour loop slowly in winter for close views of eagles and waterfowl
2
Summer mornings are best for Painted Buntings singing from roadside perches

Amenities

Parking

Restrooms

Trails

Nearby Attractions

Mount Magazine State Park
Petit Jean State Park

Birding Guides

Best Places to See Bald Eagles in North America

11 min read

Bird Identification Tips: How to ID Birds Like a Pro

11 min read

The Beginner's Guide to Birding

8 min read

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼

The best months to visit Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge for birding are November-April. The best seasons are Winter and Spring.

What birds can I see at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Notable species at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge include Bald Eagle, Snow Goose, American White Pelican, Painted Bunting, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. The area supports wetland, grassland, forest habitats.

How difficult is birding at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Birding at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Easy. The trails and viewing areas are accessible for birders of all experience levels.

Is there an entrance fee at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge?▼

There is no entrance fee at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge. Hours: Dawn to dusk daily.

What amenities are available at Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge?▼

Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Parking, Restrooms, Trails.