Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge the World's Largest Green - Tree
Reservoir.
Located in southeast Arkansas, approximately eight miles west of the town of Crossett.
GPS: 33º 9' 4.8'' N / 92º 5' 46.8'' W
Camping ////// Crossett Harbor RV Park ////// Grand Marais Campground ////// Questions and Answers ////// Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Map
Named for a small community located at its southwest corner, this 65,000 acre refuge contains an abundance of water resources dominated by the Ouachita and Saline Rivers and the Felsenthal Pool.
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65,000 acres of low lying area kriss-crossed by a
system of rivers, creeks, sloughs, swamps, and dotted with lakes throughout a widespread
bottomland hardwood forest that gradually rises to an upland forest community.
Historically, periodic flooding of the "bottoms" during winter and spring provides for excellent flooded timber duck hunting. Flooding of the Felsenthal Refuge
Greentree Reservoir begins in mid-November with expectations that water levels will
reach full flood by the end of December
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Established: 1970.
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Felsenthal is the world's largest green-tree reservoir consisting of the 15,000-acre Felsenthal Pool that is more than doubled to 36,000 acres during winter flooding.
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Open water: 15,000 acres, bottomland hardwood: 40,000 acres and uplands: 10,000 acres.
For Water Levels Call: 870-943-2307
For Hunting and fishing information Call: 870-364-3167
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Aquatic vegetation control.
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
lies within the Mississippi Flyway. Ducks began arriving in September with blue-wing
teal, mallards, black ducks, gadwall, and ring-neck ducks among the 20 species that winter
here. Wood ducks are a year-round resident, nesting in tree cavities and nest boxes
that have been placed throughout the hardwood forest.
Black Bears
Rick Eastridge, bear program coordinator with the Game and
Fish Commission, said that in the past several years,
33 adult females with 84 cubs have
been moved from White River NWR to Felsenthal NWR.
Top
Migrant Birds
During the spring, summer, and through early fall, Felsenthal is sanctuary for a variety of other migrant birds. A variable of songbirds and shorebirds stop briefly in the fall and spring to replenish energy reserves for the long journey to and from wintering areas in Central and South America, while other birds, such as Northern parula, prothonotary warbler, and American redstart utilize the refuge for nesting. Almost 100 species of birds are known to nest in the area.
Camping
There are 11 primitive camping areas (no facilities) on Felsenthal NWR. Also adjacent to the refuge are two camp grounds with full facilities: Crossett Harbor RV Park on Highway 82 and Grand Marais Campground at the town of Felsenthal
Endangered Wildlife
The red-cockaded woodpecker, a small resident bird, is an endangered species. This woodpecker prefers open, park-like timber stands where it drills nesting cavities in mature pine trees. In these upland areas, trees with cavities are marked with white bands. Artificial nest inserts are placed in mature pine trees to supplement natural cavity trees and to encourage establishment of new colonies. Forest management practices, such as selective cutting and intensive prescribed burning, are the primary management tools used to improve and maintain a home for this endangered bird.
Bald Eagles
Felsenthal Refuge is home to bald eagles during the winter as these magnificent birds follow waterfowl down the flyway. In the future, these birds may begin nesting here since the Felsenthal Pool has created what appears to be optimum habitat.
Alligators
Felsenthal NWR is on the northern edge of the American
alligator's range. Although no longer on the endangered list, this ancient reptile is
still considered threatened in Arkansas. This resident makes its home in the thousands of
acres of shallow water wetlands.
Alligators have been known to nest on the refuge.
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge Aquatic Vegetation Control
As of 2008 nearly $200,000 has been committed to controlling aquatic vegetation in Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has agreed to match the $73,000 the US Fish & Wildlife Service received in a Challenge Cost-Share Grant. AGFC funds will be used to purchase, raise, and stock triploid grass carp. Thirty-thousand 10 inch and 35,000 fingerling, triploid grass carp will be purchased from Keo Fish Farms. The fingerling grass carp will be raised to 10 inches at AGFC fish hatcheries. Triploid grass carp will be stocked beginning in the fall of 2008. An additional 100,000 fingerlings will be purchased, raised by AGFC hatchery personnel, and stocked into the Felsenthal Pool over the next two years. This will result in a total stocking rate of 10 triploid grass carp per acre. The Ouachita River Commission contributed $40,000 to Friends of Felsenthal. These funds will be used to fund a graduate student at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Under the direction of Dr. Steve Lochman, this student will evaluate pre- and post-effects of grass carp stockings on vegetation control in the Felsenthal Pool of the Ouachita River. Felsenthal Vegetation Control Fundraising Committee has received$10,718 in contributions from local companies, municipalities, and individuals interested in preserving the Felsenthal Pool fishery and controlling aquatic vegetation. Anyone interested in contributing a tax-deductible donation can send a check to:
Friends of Felsenthal Vegetation Control Fund
P.O. Box 93 2Crossett, AR 71635
Contributions will be used to purchase herbicides to treat submergent and
emergent vegetation in the reservoir.
Carryville boat ramp. The new boating access near Carryville on the Ouachita
River in Union County is nearly complete. The concrete ramp was poured in
late June. Work crews laid the gravel parking lot in early July. This ramp
was built using sport fish restoration funds at a projected cost of$55,000.
The access area should be open to the public soon!
6 miles West of Crossett, on US Hwy 82
870-364-6136 OPEN: All Year
SITES:
119
PULL THRUS:
None BACK-INS:
119 at 50 Ft
SLIDE OUTS:
Yes, Both Sides
ELECTRIC: 117 30 Amp, 2 50 Amp
DESCRIPTION:
Crossett Harbor RV Park is completely surrounded by the lush, Southern
forest of Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, with close proximity to the
Ouachita and Saline Rivers. Crossett is just six miles away with a wide
selection of shopping, restaurants, and churches, a hospital, zoo, and
museum.
AMENITIES:
Full Time Resident Manager, Boating and Boat Ramp at adjacent Crossett
Harbor, Restaurant, Group Pavilion and Picnic Grounds, Paved Camping Sites
with Charcoal Grills, Concrete Picnic Tables, Fire Rings, and Lantern
Hangers, Handicap Sites. Restrooms and Showers, Dump Station, Hiking,
Tenting Available. In addition Crossett Harbor is located near the center of
the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge making it ideally located nearby to
some of the best hunting and fishing areas found within the entire basin
Private Campground
50 Newlock 6 Rd
Huttig, Arkansas 71747
(870) 943-2930
Campsites: 50
Location: 4 miles north of Huttig off Hwy. 129
Grand Marais Recreation area is home to the annual Bream Festival and
fishing tournament which takes place each year on the Friday and Saturday of
Memorial Day weekend. The waters here are well known throughout the region
for its excellent Bream fishing.
Coordinates: Latitude: 33.0561 Longitude: -92.1444
Other Camp Grounds, Recreation and points of interest in and close to Felsenthal :
Felsenthal Lock and Dam (map):
There are two day use facilities. A picnic shelter, playground and fishing pier are available in the facility. Each recreation area consists of a 5 lane boat launching ramp, ample parking and a water-borne comfort station. From Huttig, AR take Olin Avenue 4 miles to the city of Felsenthal. Turn left onto New Lock 6 road and go 1 mile to lower area or 1.6 miles to the upper area.
Lock 8:
The Old Lock 8 recreation area is located on the site of what was Lock and Dam 8. Lock and Dam 8 was completed in 1916 and this site is currently listed on the Register of Historic Places. In 1984 H.K. Thatcher Lock and Dam located nearby replaced Lock 8 after nearly 70 years of service.
Thatcher Lock and Dam (map)
One day use area with 1 boat launch ramp with two lanes and a parking area with 40 parking spaces. A water-borne comfort station is also available. From El Dorado, AR take hwy 63 north. Go 6.4 miles and turn left on Armer Road at the intersections of hwy 63 & 129. Go .1 miles and turn right on Crain City Road. Travel 4.9 miles and turn right on New Lock 8 Road. Go 1.4 miles and turn right near the Lock office then travel .9 miles to the recreation area.
Finch Bayou:
Known by the locals as Alabama Landing.
Sterlington Recreation Area:
Was once a site of a Lock and Dam.
Moon Lake Recreation Area:
The area reopened in Oct. 2007.
Bawcomville Recreation Area:
Has an annual Earth Day Celebration event.
Prairion Recreation Area:
Primitive camping and drinkable water is available in the area.
Riverton:
Has the only swimming beach on the Ouachita River in Louisiana.
Columbia Lock and Dam East:
Host 2 annual hunts for the mobility impaired. Participants are chosen by drawings and the events are in November and December. A favorite fishing spot for locals. There is also a self guided nature trail available.
Fort Necessity:
Primitive camping, no drinkable water provided.
Columbia Landing:
Located in the town of Columbia which is the home of the annual Riverboat Festival held annually in May.
Jonesville Lock and Dam:
Completed in 1972 and put into operation soon thereafter this lock and dam is the southern most control structure on the Ouachita/Black Rivers.
Clayton Landing
Located on the Tensas River this recreation area provides access to some of the area’s most active summertime bass fishing.
Harrisonburg Landing:
Once the home of a lock and dam constructed in the early 1900’s visitors can still see the concrete steps leading down to the river from the site of former housing that was home to the personnel that operated the lock and dam.
Jonesville Landing:
This recreation area is located within a short boat ride from the convergence of four (4) navigable rivers; which are the Ouachita, Black, Tensas and Little Rivers. Also, there are still remnants close by of earthen mounds built by Native American tribes hundreds of years ago.
Little River Closure:
If you want to see a river flowing two different directions during the year, come visit Little River Closure. During high-water events in the spring the Little River flows into Catahoula Lake. Then in just a few short weeks the river flows back on its normal course into the Black River.
Catahoula Lake:
The control structure at Catahoula Lake provided consistent lake levels as part of the migratory bird sanctuary located at the near by National Wildlife Refuge. This truly is a sportsman’s paradise when it comes to fishing and hunting.
Questions and Answers about Felsenthal National Refuge.
How do you get to the north end of the Felsenthal National Refuge?
Take Highway 160 from Johnsville or Hermitage. Various locations on the refuge are accessible off of Highway 160: take County Road #53 to Eagle Lake; take County Road #53 then #59 to Prairie Island/Saline River access. Take County Road #2, then County Road #63 to Pereogeethe Lake.
Is there camping on the Felsenthal National Refuge and if so where?
There are 11 primitive camping areas (no facilities) on Felsenthal NWR. Also adjacent to the refuge are two camp grounds with full facilities: these are Crossett Harbor RV Park on Highway 82 and Grand Marais Campground at the town of Felsenthal.
Where can I find the water levels Felsenthal National Refuge?
Felsenthal Lock and Dam gauge readings are published daily in the Arkansas Gazette or you can contact the lock direct at 870/943-2307. Flooding of the Felsenthal Refuge Greentree Reservoir will begin in mid-November with expectations that water levels will reach full flood by the end of December.
What are the hunting regulations and quota deer and turkey hunts on the Felsenthal National Refuge?
For the designated hunting seasons, refer to the refuge brochure that can be found at the Felsenthal Visitor Center or received by mail by calling 870/364 3167.
Where are the fish biting at the Felsenthal National Refuge?
Fish are fairly well dispersed throughout the bodies of water on the refuge. However, there are always "hotspots" that seem to hold more fish than others. Contact the refuge at 870/364 3167 or local bait stores for up-to-date reports.
Map of the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge
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