Ozark Oasis: Spring Birding in the Arkansas Highlands
Trip Overview
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 five days 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 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 what makes Northwest Arkansas 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 Reefs to Rockies for an unforgettable experience in the Natural State!
Itinerary
Day 1 | Welcome to the Ozarks
Arrive midday at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). We’ll kick things off with lunch before enjoying our first birding stop at a local nature center, then continue south to Waldron, where our simple accommodations provide a convenient base for exploring the area’s exceptional birding opportunities. 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
Trip starts and ends at Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA). Please plan to arrive to XNA by 1:00 p.m. today.
Day 2 | Dawn Chorus in the Pines
This morning we’ll wake up early and head into a beautiful shortleaf pine forest, home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and one of Arkansas’s most memorable spring birding experiences. Being here early for the dawn chorus is a special experience. By midday we’ll begin working our way north, stopping for lunch at a favorite local spot before continuing our journey, making additional birding stops based on recent reports. We’ll end up in Bentonville, our home base for the next three nights.
Accommodations: The Block Hotel in Bentonville
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3 | Birds, Trails & Crystal Bridges
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!
After lunch, we’ll spend the afternoon at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Set amid more than 100 acres of Ozark forest, Crystal Bridges is much more than an art museum, with breathtaking architecture, beautiful walking trails, and a renowned collection spanning artists from Norman Rockwell to Andy Warhol. Even those who don’t typically consider themselves museum-goers are often surprised by how memorable the experience is. For anyone who would rather stay outdoors, the museum grounds offer excellent opportunities for birding and wildlife watching while others explore the galleries.
Accommodations: The Block Hotel in Bentonville
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4 | Discover Eureka Springs
Today we’ll venture to the charming Victorian town of Eureka Springs, enjoying scenic drives, local birding, and time to explore one of the state’s most unique destinations. Throughout the day we’ll visit birding locations based on recent sightings and spring migration activity, balancing time outdoors with opportunities to experience the area’s character, history, and scenery before returning to Bentonville for our final evening.
Accommodations: The Block Hotel in Bentonville
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5 | One Last Morning Afield
We’ll enjoy one final morning for birding and sightseeing. Locations will be determined by recent bird activity—after all, it is spring migration! Following our farewell lunch, we’ll return to the airport for our evening flights home.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Please plan your departure flight from XNA at 4:30 p.m. or later.
About Your Expedition Leader
Sheridan Samano, Co-Founder of Reefs to Rockies, is delighted to lead this five-day exploration of the Arkansas Highlands. Throughout the journey, Sheridan will share her extensive field experience, deep knowledge, and passion for birds, wildlife, and the ecosystems they call home. Her background includes research on the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and the fire-maintained pine forests of the southeastern United States, offering unique insight into one of the region’s most iconic conservation success stories. As always, she’ll guide you through spectacular landscapes while highlighting the natural history and conservation efforts that make this corner of Arkansas so special.
Details
Price: $2475* per person based on two people sharing a double occupancy room. Add $285** if you prefer a private, single occupancy room.
Inclusions: Accommodations; driver/guide – Sheridan Samano; private transportation; daily guiding with spotting scope available; entrance fees; and all meals starting with lunch on Day 1 through lunch on Day 5. A conservation donation will be made on behalf of all participants.
Exclusions: Flights, travel insurance, gratuities, and activities not listed in the itinerary.
*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees, if applicable will be assessed at time of booking.
**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a double occupancy room, but we aren’t able to find a suitable roommate for you, the private room surcharge will apply.
Group Size: Min 4 and max 8 participants + Sheridan Samano. We are known for having smaller group sizes with a better participant to guide ratio than most companies offering similar itineraries.
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. Some days may begin early to take advantage of peak bird activity during the morning hours.