The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is opening a public comment period for 15 days on April 9, 2024 for the public to review and comment on the proposed right-of-way for the Arkansas-White River Cutoff Project that is to occur on portions of refuge lands near the south end of Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas County, AR.
We are conducting a public review and comment period to allow all interested parties time to consider and comment on the Draft Compatibility Determination and FONSI. We will consider public comments before making a final decision on this use.
We will also be providing the 2018 US Army Corp of Engineer’s Feasibility report for your reference. You can review these documents by viewing them on our website or hard copies are available at this location:
Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters and Visitor Center at 57 South CC Camp Road, St Charles, AR 72140.
Please let us know if you need the documents in an alternative format.
How do I submit comments on these Draft Compatibility Determinations?
The public review and comment period is open for 15 calendar days from April 9, 2024 to April 23, 2024. Comments must be postmarked by April 23, 2024 or received via email by 11:59 on April 23, 2024 to be considered.
Comments submitted by U.S. mail should be sent to:
Public Comment, Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, PO Box 205, St Charles, AR72140
Comments submitted by email should be sent to: Whiteriver@fws.gov
Concerns expressed during the public comment period will be addressed in the final compatibility determination.
Visit Us
Know Before You Go
In the summertime, temperatures and humidity can be extreme and sometimes dangerous! Be sure to bring plenty of insect repellent, drinking water, appropriate footwear, and sunscreen. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to visit, when temperatures are more moderate and wildlife is most active, especially during the summer.
River levels affect activities on the refuge tremendously. The refuge is affected by the levels of the Mississippi River and the White River, so it's good to be familiar with the river level gauges of both. See this page to view water levels of the White River at St. Charles, near the middle of the refuge (near Highway 1). Once it reaches 26 feet, the North Unit of the refuge closes to deer hunting, and will reopen once the gauges reaches 23.5 feet. Read the Public Use brochure for more information.
Here you can view water levels on the southernmost part of the refuge, impacted by the Mississippi River. When this reaches 145 feet and Graham Burke Outlet reaches 30 feet at the same time, then the South Unit closes to deer hunting. Hunting will reopen when the gauge reads 143 feet and 28 feet in the same locations. Flooding waters and river levels are very dangerous and deserve respect when venturing out on the refuge.
All visitors are encouraged to read and review the Public Use Regulation Brochure before entering the refuge.
An Annual Public Use Permit is required to hunt, fish, launch boats, and utilize campgrounds on Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge. The permit cost is $20.00 for those 16 years of age and over, and is free for those 15 years of age and younger. These permits are available and valid from August 1 through July 31 each year. Click here for more information on obtaining an Annual Public Use Permit.
Trails
Dale Bumpers White River NWR has hundreds of miles of trails open to both foot traffic and ATVs when designated by yellow blaze on the trees. There are many trails that allow the public to access several parts of the refuge during high water and low water. The trails listed below are open to hiking only to give visitors a chance for solitude and greater wildlife viewing opportunities.
Just outside of the visitor center is the Upland and Bottomland Hardwood Trail that takes you from the uplands, down the escarpment, and into the bottoms. The bottomland portion of this trail can be accessed when the gauge reading of the White River at St. Charles is 28 feet or lower. These trails are open year-round during daylight hours.
Below are georeferenced ATV trail maps. You can use them with a GPS-enabled mobile device to see your location while on the refuge. You will need to import the PDF files to a georeferenced PDF reader, such as Avenza. These maps should only be used as a reference as some of the trails may be incorrectly identified on these maps. ATVs and UTVs are only allowed on yellow-marked trails and are prohibited on gravel roads.
| NORTH UNIT: | SOUTH UNIT: |
| Roc Roe/Red Cat/Aberdeen | Indian Bay |
| Crooked Lakes | Big Island Chute |
| Maddox Bay | Ethel Bottoms |
| Brown Shanty | Jacks Bay |
| Levee Loop |
Locations
To find the Office and Visitor Center, turn south by the refuge sign located on Hwy. 1 in St. Charles.