Clarks River
Benton, KY 42025
Plan Your Visit
For maps, brochures, or answers to your questions, you can visit our office. The office is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Closed on all Federal Holidays.
Directions to Refuge Headquarters: From I-24, Exit 25- I-69/Purchase Parkway south; to Exit 43- Benton/Symsonia towards Benton; left on Hwy US 641 North (3rd stoplight); Clarks River NWR is ~1 mile on left on Hwy 641.
GPS Coordinates: 36.879829, -88.344359
Directions to Environmental Education and Recreation Area: From I-69/Purchase Parkway, Exit 43- Benton/Symsonia Exit towards Benton; right on Hwy US 641 south (3rd stoplight); left on Hwy 408 east (second stoplight); Environmental Education and Recreation Area is ~ 1 mile on the right.
GPS Coordinates: 36.857111, -88.337127
Annual hunt/fish permits are available through Rec Access. For lottery waterfowl hunts, applications are accepted from September 1st through October 15th each year.
Directions to Refuge Headquarters: From I-24, Exit 25- I-69/Purchase Parkway south; to Exit 43- Benton/Symsonia towards Benton; left on Hwy US 641 North (3rd stoplight); Clarks River NWR is ~1 mile on left on Hwy 641.
GPS Coordinates: 36.879829, -88.344359
Activities
More Activities
Get Involved
We have good things we want to accomplish, but we can't do it all by ourselves. From Kentucky Junior Duck Stamp participation to support of our partners, find out more on how you can get involved, master new skills and meet new friends.
Services
Wildlife and Habitat Management
Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge manages a valuable bottomland wetland ecosystem for the benefit of waterfowl and migratory songbirds. Management tools include cooperative farming, reforestation, native grassland management, and the maintenance of waterfowl impoundments. The refuge also works to provide quality outdoor recreation opportunities, see our Public Use Regulations Brochure for more information.
Environmental Education
Outdoor experiences are essential for good mental, physical, and emotional development. Time spent outside fosters creativity, heightens sensory skills, and teaches us to pay more attention to the world around us. Come visit Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge for a classroom without walls!
The Environmental Education and Recreation Area (EERA) is one of the most popular locations on the refuge for walking, running, wildlife viewing, and fishing. It is the premiere location to bring your group for educational programs!
We have created the Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge Curriculum Guide to help inspire young minds on your next visit.
Another great way to get kids involved in the outdoors is through the Kentucky Junior Duck Stamp Art and Writing Contest! The contest teaches students, in K-12, about wetlands, migration, conservation, waterfowl, and land stewardship. This program has been used in not just art and science classes, but writing, history, geography and gifted classes as well. Recognition is given to hundreds of winners in many forms including cash, ribbons, certificates, art supplies, etc.
About
Established in 1998, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge is the 549th national wildlife refuge and protects one of the largest remaining bottomland hardwood forests in the region. Its mission is to manage the valuable wetland ecosystem along the Clarks River for the benefit of migratory birds and diverse riverine species. The refuge provides a variety of recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.
