Fort Smith
Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
Nature Center Offerings
About Us
The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center is built on 170 acres of land that was part of Fort Chaffee. In addition to the spacious building surrounded by hickory and oak trees, the grounds are home to a series of trails and Wells Lake, a popular fishing destination. The Wells Lake is a part of the Family and Community Fishing Program so it’s stocked regularly with catfish and trout. The rear deck overlooking Wells Lake is an excellent place to take in the view and enjoy a quiet moment outdoors. The trails around the lake feature exhibit signs highlighting the lake, grounds and animals using the area. Visitors also can watch for wildlife attracted to feeders and a circulating stream near the corner of the building.
Exhibits play a large part in the nature center. Visitors will discover representations of the Ouachita and Ozark mountains, a life-sized oak tree exhibit crawling with game and nongame animal displays and a 1,200-gallon aquarium with native Arkansas fish. In addition to the interactive displays and exhibits, the center houses a classroom for educational programs such as the Hunting Safety and Boating Safety courses and a multipurpose room for community events.
Admission to the nature center is free thanks to your support of the Amendment 75 Conservation Fund.
Helpful Links
Bring the Outdoors Into Your Community
Click here to request AGFC support for community events, education outreach in your school and more.
What’s Inside
Ozark Plateaus, Ouachita Mountains and Arkansas River Valley
On your way to the main exhibit area, you’ll walk between rock outcroppings. They represent the Ozark Plateaus and the Ouachita Mountains. Interactive displays teach about how the mountains and valley were formed.
Fishing
Wells Lake
Wells Lake is a twelve acre man-made lake. It was built in the 1940s. Its purpose was to collect water needed during the construction of Fort Chaffee. This type of lake is called an impoundment.
Trails
The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center offers more than four miles of trails, two of which meet Americans With Disabilities Act requirements.
Don’t forget your binoculars and camera –you might see raccoons, beavers or even deer. The fishing piers around Wells Lake makes for some exciting angling. Keep your eyes and ears open for signs of wildlife. More than 140 species of birds have been spotted on these trails.
Teacher Resources
The Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center offers recreational and educational programming for people of all ages. Along with daily, weekly and monthly events, the center offers specialized programs suitable for any nature enthusiast. One of many fun and informative sessions is sure to interest you.
We offer many special events, workshops, and special programs as well. Please go to our calendar for more information.
Planning Your Visit
Teachers and group leaders are requested to schedule their visit to the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center by filling out the School Group Reservation Form and emailing it to Kendra Ingle at Kendra.Ingle@agfc.ar.gov.
Nature Center Event Calendar
Have you ever wanted to try hunting or harvest your own food? The Outdoor Skills Network is your one-stop resource for events offered by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and a network of partners who conduct opportunities to engage your outdoor skills in hunting, fishing, trapping, safety, wildlife, marksmanship, and more!
Volunteer Opportunties
Like Arkansas’s outdoors, the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center depends on the support of people with a passion for the natural world. Volunteers are the lifeblood of our conservation efforts. They work with everything from computers and photography to trail building and canoe instruction. Everyone has something to contribute to the outdoors, and we encourage people from all walks of life to participate. Volunteerism benefits the center and its visitors, but there’s no feeling quite like sharing your passion for the outdoor world with a newcomer. Your time and enthusiasm are not only among the least-expensive ways to help, they’re the greatest and most appreciated donations you can give.
Get in Touch
For more information regarding the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, or to schedule a class or group field trip, give us a call at the phone number above, or send an email and we will contact you.