Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge 
Highway 18
Manila, AR 72442
870-564-2429
http://www.fws.gov/biglake/
Wildlife Refuge: Birding, Fish, Hike, Picnic, RV, Walk, Water Sports
Big Lake NWR was established in 1915 to provide habitat and protection for migrating and wintering birds and is recognized as an important link in the Mississippi migration corridor. Over the years the objectives of the refuge have expanded to include protection for endangered species. Big Lake was important in the recovery of the bald eagle from its endangered status. Eagles came back to nest on the refuge in 1989 and have annually raised young since 1993. Also, since most of the bottomland hardwood forests have disappeared, it has become more important to preserve and restore this habitat for the wide variety of wildlife it supports.