Arkansas is one of the premier bird watching locations in the United States. Arkansas birding provides tourism dollars that can be used for conservation of habitat, and to support the local businesses that rely on tourists for their livelihoods. With over 400 native species, Arkansas is a prime location for a vacation watching birds.

The first, and probably the most practical reason is that it is affordable. Since Arkansas is centrally located within the United States, it is, with a few exceptions, just about a day's drive from anywhere in the country. This kind of access, coupled with the low cost of living in the area, makes a trip affordable. If you are coming from out of state or from the East or West coast, you will be delighted at the hospitable nature of the people who call the state of Arkansas home.

Another reason to consider Arkansas as your next bird watching vacation is the availability of local resources. A bird watching clubs are easily found and there are Audubon societies in the area, and most are ready and willing to provide information that will allow visitors to capitalize on all of the birding opportunities that an area has to offer. If you are serious about heading to Arkansas to do some bird watching, make sure you check out BirdingArkansas.com. Here you will find a number of resources and links that will help you plan your trip.

Arkansas bird watching recently made headlines around the world when the Ivory Billed Woodpecker, long thought to be extinct, was discovered living in the swamps of Arkansas. These sightings have led to resurgence in wild life awareness in the area and have increased the number of tourists and birding enthusiasts in the area.

Bull Shoals State Park, DeGray Lake Resort State Park, and Devil's Den State Park each host bird watching festivals or events at different times of the year. These organized festivals and events allow enthusiasts from around the country to come together and share information and to enjoy the company of folks who share similar passions. Local bird watching club involvement is very active in supporting these events.

One of the best ways to experience Arkansas bird watching is to participate in one of the many tours that are available. The Arkansas state park department provides a list of events and tours for the full calendar year, so that you can make your schedule well in advance. There are many benefits to taking a guided tour. You will get to where the birds are without wasting a lot of time wandering and driving in unfamiliar territory.