Plan a Visit to the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
If you enjoy the outdoors, are fascinated by wildlife, or just looking for a fun activity for your family, the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Fort Smith could be just the place for you to visit. The nature center sits on 170 acres of land that was previously part of Fort Chaffee and overlooks Wells Lake, a popular fishing and picnicking area. The center focuses on the wide range of animals and birds that live in the Arkansas River Valley, including Canada geese, small mammals, turtles, and various species of birds. The center features many interesting indoor exhibits as well as trails that are perfect for walking and hiking.
Indoor Exhibits
Among the fascinating indoor exhibits is the “Ozark Plateaus, Ouachita Mountains, and Arkansas River Valley” exhibit, which features rock outcroppings that represent the plateaus and mountains in Arkansas and interactive displays that tell about how they were formed.
The Arkansas River Aquarium is housed between the “mountains” and contains fish and turtles from the Arkansas River. Models of fish and an information-filled display allow visitors to learn all about the creatures who call our river home.
The nature center’s “Oak Forest” exhibit features an enormous oak tree in the main exhibit area. Models of forest animals surround the giant tree while interactive displays allow guests to press buttons and move levers to learn about animals that live in the oak forest. The main exhibit also features live animals for visitors to see.
“The Life of Birds” exhibit allows sightseers to watch a video describing how birds fly and use their feet and beaks to eat. Guests will also hear birdsongs and smaller guests can climb into a giant nest to experience what it’s like to be a baby bird.
The Wildlife Watching Area contains large windows that offer visitors a close-up view of native birds and wildlife. Feeders and an artificial stream attract many animals for guests to watch from inside the center.
Outdoor Facilities
Wells Lake, a 12-acre man-made lake built in the 1940s, was built in order to collect water needed during the construction of Fort Chaffee. Lakes built for this purpose are typically called “impoundments.” Guests of all age are welcome to fish in this lake. Poles and tackle boxes are available but you supply the bait! For visitors age 16 and older must have a fishing license to fish in Arkansas, which can be purchased at the nature center.
At the nature center, more than four miles of trails are available for enthusiastic explorers. Two miles of these trails meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Guests are encouraged to bring binoculars and cameras in order to get a closer look at the animals residing on the nature center grounds. Birdwatchers will especially enjoy the trails; more than 140 species of birds have been spotted on these trails!
Nature Center Programs
Daily
2 p.m. “Critter Crunch” Animal Feeding
Weekly
Wednesday:
-9:30 a.m. Story Time—Perfect for Preschool and elementary-age children
-10:00 a.m. Guided Hike—Members of the education staff will lead a hike along one of the trails
Friday:
-2 p.m. Snake Feeding!
Saturday:
-Noon-2 p.m. Canoe/Kayak Program—Weather permitting; a guardian must accompany all children
-2 p.m. Fish feeding in the large aquarium
-3 p.m. Laser Shot—a computer program allows “sharpshooters” to sharpen their hunting skills!
Sunday:
-2:30 p.m. On-Target Archery—A program that both archery beginners and experts will enjoy
Monthly
Second Friday at Sunset: Family Fun Night with Nature
Third Tuesday at 7 p.m. - Outdoor Experiences
*Though you may want to plan a visit to the nature center around a specific activity, keep in mind that there are many things to do at the center at any time of the day. Hours of operation are Tuesday-Saturday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday.
