Illustration
Winter wildlife in Arkansas
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife refuge
Most numerous
January and February
Illustration
State guide
Best time to visit ArkansasWhen to catch Hot Springs and the Buffalo River
Later in Arkansas: spring woodland wildflowers at Buffalo National River (March to May) and spring wildflowers and blooming trees at Hot Springs National Park (spring).
Checked against 3 official sources · How we check →
When are you going?
Fall in Arkansas
Good in fall
- Buffalo RiverGreat blue lobelia blooms (July to October)
- Hot SpringsBirds change with the fall migration
Next peak here after fall
Remind me →Winter in Arkansas
Spring in Arkansas
Next peak here after spring
Remind me →Summer in Arkansas
Good in summer
- Buffalo RiverPurple coneflower and wild bergamot bloom (June to September)
Next peak here after summer
Remind me →Places in Arkansas
Every place we follow here
- Pin color, each place's season now or next:
- Spring
Other places to visit
Spring woodland wildflowers in ArkansasNational River
Season: March to MayNational Park Service ↗
Spring wildflowers and blooming trees in ArkansasNational park
Season: SpringNational Park Service ↗
More places to visit
- Big Lake National Wildlife RefugeWildlife refuge
Check before you go: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lists a current access notice
Best: January and FebruarySee the page →Official site ↗
USFWS, Public Domain; resized
Planning an Arkansas trip
Towns, topics and answers for a trip
Towns to stay in
- Little Rock · 42 mi from Hot SpringsFirst frost ~Nov 10
- Fayetteville · 62 mi from Sequoyah RefugeFirst frost ~Oct 31
- Fort Smith · 35 mi from Sequoyah RefugeFirst frost ~Nov 6
- Jonesboro · 63 mi from Bald Knob RefugeFirst frost ~Nov 1
- Pine Bluff · 63 mi from Hot SpringsFirst frost ~Nov 16
- Hot Springs · 2 mi from Hot SpringsFirst frost ~Nov 13
Show all 8 towns
- Bella Vista · 81 mi from Sequoyah RefugeFirst frost ~Oct 26
- Russellville · 12 mi from Holla Bend RefugeFirst frost ~Nov 2
First frost: NOAA 1991–2020 normals at each town's nearest station.
Browse by season and event
- Wildflowers · 2 places hereWildflowers, everywhere →
Questions people ask
When do wildflowers bloom in Arkansas?
Buffalo River: March to May. Hot Springs: spring.Sources: National Park Service, Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Plants ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When do wildflowers bloom along the Buffalo River?
From late winter into fall, by the park's checklist. Bluets, bloodroot and spring beauty start in February; jack-in-the-pulpit and trilliums bloom from March to May, columbine and blue phlox from April to June, and great blue lobelia from July to October.Source: National Park Service, Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Which wildflower blooms first along the Buffalo River?
Blue phlox is one of the first to bloom each spring, the park says.Source: National Park Service, Wildflowers ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When is Hot Springs National Park prettiest?
The park points to spring, when wildflowers and blooming trees are especially beautiful, and to autumn, with its bright leaf colors.Source: National Park Service, Plants ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Does Gulpha Gorge Campground at Hot Springs have showers?
No: there are modern restrooms with flush toilets and running water, but no showers.Source: National Park Service, Outdoor Activities ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Oklahoma · Missouri · Mississippi · Kansas
Next stop
Next season in Arkansas: Spring woodland wildflowers at Buffalo River, March to May.
How we know
The official pages behind every date on this page
- Oct 3Park ServiceWildflowersSource (opens National Park Service, Wildflowers in a new tab)
- Oct 3Park ServicePlantsSource (opens National Park Service, Plants in a new tab)
- Oct 3Park ServiceBirdsSource (opens National Park Service, Birds in a new tab)
- National Park Service sources: no claim to original U.S. Government works.