Ozark Oasis

Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks is a hidden gem of a region that is part southern and part midwestern. Scenic river valleys, peaceful oak forests, and charming small towns offer the perfect setting for a full weekend of birding and exploring the northwest corner of Arkansas.

This part of Arkansas is a place where the ranges of many truly iconic bird species overlap, and we will prioritize getting good looks at some of the most colorful charismatic birds our country has to offer. In late April the scissor-tailed flycatchers will have just returned, and the males will be performing their famous “sky dances.” Painted buntings dressed in red, blue, and green will be singing from scattered tall trees. The lush creek sides will be pulling in warblers, vireos, grosbeaks, tanagers, cardinals, and cuckoos. Spring birding in the East is magical. We intend to stop and savor every treasure.

In addition to the Ozarks, we’ll explore the Ouachita Mountains to the south, home to the red-cockaded woodpecker, an endangered species endemic to pine forests of the southeastern United States.

This trip is timed to maximize opportunities to showcase why Northwest Arkansas is such a special destination for birders and nature lovers. We have strategically selected areas so that we have the time and space to enjoy spring birding without the crowds. Join Wild Birds Unlimited and Reefs to Rockies for this unforgettable experience in the heart of the Ozarks!

ABOUT YOUR GUIDE: Kyle Carlsen from Reefs to Rockies is excited to lead this expedition to Northwest Arkansas. With a deep passion for avian research and conservation, Kyle has extensive experience both in the field and as a published writer. His work has appeared in numerous journals, books, and magazines, showcasing his expertise in ornithology and wildlife. You may also recognize him as the education coordinator for Wild Birds Unlimited of northern Colorado, where he regularly engages the community in birding education and conservation efforts.

Kyle’s travels have taken him across North and South America and the Caribbean, where he has dedicated himself to exploring and documenting wildlife in a variety of ecosystems. His field experience, paired with his ability to share in-depth knowledge in an engaging way, makes him an exceptional guide. Kyle ensures that every journey he leads is not only educational but deeply inspiring.

ITINERARY

Day 1 (Saturday, April 26): Fayetteville to Siloam Springs to Waldron. Morning arrival to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). Kyle will meet the group at the airport with our van. We’ll kick things off with a visit to Ivory Bill Brewing Company in Siloam Springs before continuing south to Waldron, making several birding stops along the way. Optional after-dark outing tonight for eastern whip-poor-wills and chuck’s-will’s-widows for those interested.

Accommodations: Southern Nights Motel in Waldron

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Estimated drive time from airport to Siloam Springs: 30-45 minutes; from Siloam Springs to Waldron: 2.5 hours

Trip starts and ends at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA).

Day 2 (Sunday, April 27): Waldron to Bentonville. This morning we’ll wake up early and head down to Buffalo Road in the Ouachita National Forest, home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and one of the state’s most legendary birding hotspots. Being here early on a spring morning for the dawn chorus is a special experience. By midday we’ll be working our way north, stopping in the town of Ozark for lunch at a local brewery or winery and stopping for birds based on recent reports. We’ll end up in Bentonville, home base for the next two nights.

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Bentonville

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Estimated drive time from Waldron to Buffalo Road: 20-30 minutes; from Buffalo Road to Ozark: 1.5 hours; from Ozark to Bentonville: 1.5 hours

Day 3 (Monday, April 28): Bentonville. After breakfast at our hotel, we’ll head out for a morning at Coler Preserve. This property offers 17 miles of trails with spectacular birding along Coler Creek, where spring songbirds should be present in full force, and we may hear (or even see) a barred owl. Another highlight this morning will be a visit to a café located within the preserve itself! We’ll have lunch back in town in Bentonville followed by an afternoon at another local birding site, perhaps Osage Park or Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery, based on recent reports and the group’s interest.

Accommodations: Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Bentonville

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Estimated drive times between hotel and birding sites: 10-15 minutes

Day 4 (Tuesday, April 29): Bentonville to Eureka Springs to Fayetteville. We will enjoy a leisurely morning visit to the historically charming town of Eureka Springs for birding and sightseeing with a surprise stop or two. Lunch will be at a unique downtown restaurant serving wood-fired pizza in a natural cave with a live spring. After our farewell lunch we’ll drive back east to the airport for our evening flights home.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Estimated drive time from Bentonville to Eureka Springs: 1 hour; from Eureka Springs to airport: 1.5 hours

DETAILS

Price: $1799* per person based on two people sharing a double occupancy room. Add $230* if you prefer a private, single occupancy room.

Inclusions: Accommodations; Driver/Guide – Kyle Carlsen; transportation in a Ford Transit van or similar; Wild Birds Unlimited Host; Daily Guiding; Gratuities; Entrance Fees; and Meals as Listed. A conservation donation will be made to Bird Conservancy of the Rockies on behalf of all participants.

Exclusions: flights, travel insurance, optional gratuities for hotel staff, and activities not listed in the itinerary.

*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees assessed at time of payment. If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a room, we’ll do our best to pair you. If we are unable to find a roommate for you, the private room supplement will apply.

Group Size: Min 6 and Max 8 Participants + Kyle Carlsen + WBU Host. We are known for having smaller group sizes with a better participant to guide ratio than most companies offering similar itineraries.

A Note About Gratuities – Your trip cost includes gratuities for your guide, as well as at restaurants for included meals. This allows us to reliably and equitably compensate everyone working so hard to keep you happy, healthy, and safe during your trip.

Level of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate. When seeking out birds on foot, there will be primarily short to moderate walks on a variety of terrain, though mostly even. Most walks will be less than a mile with a total distance of up to two to three miles on a given day.

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