About the Refuge
The Red River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was created legislatively by the Red River National Wildlife Refuge Act - signed into law on October 13, 2000. The first land purchase was made in August 2002 consisting of 1,377 acres. According to legislation, the refuge shall consist of approximately 50,000 acres of Federal lands and waters along that section of the Red River between Colfax, Louisiana and the Arkansas state line, a distance of approximately 120 miles. Therefore, Red River NWR is comprised of a headquarters unit and four additional focus units. The purposes for which the refuge was established are as follows:
1. To provide for the restoration and conservation of native plants and animal communities on suitable sites in the Red River basin, including restoration of extirpated species;
2. To provide habitat for migratory birds; and
3. To provide technical assistance to private landowners in the restoration of their lands for the benefit of fish and wildlife (114 Stat. 1056, dated October 13, 2000).
Our Mission
The overarching mission for Red River NWR is to provide for the restoration and conservation of fish and wildlife habitats in the Red River Valley ecosystem in northwest Louisiana.
Visit the Refuge
Red River National Wildlife Refuge provides many different wildlife-based recreational opportunities. Discover more about the wildlife that calls the refuge home by enjoying the exhibits at the Visitor Center, walk the trails, or participate in hunting and fishing activities. There are over 5 miles of trails on the Headquarters Unit in Bossier City just minutes from I-20.
Red River National Wildlife Refuge
Phone: (318) 742-1219
150 Eagle Bend Point, Bossier City, LA 71112
Directions to the Headquarters Unit
From I-20: Take the Hamilton Road exit (20A) and turn south on Hamilton Road toward the casino. Turn left onto the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway and travel 6 miles south on parkway, the refuge entrance will be on your right.
From southern Bossier Parish: Take Barksdale Blvd/Hwy 71 to the stop light intersection of Sligo Road by Parkway High School. Turn right (west) onto the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway extension (Sligo extension) and drive approximately 2.5 miles to the entrance of Red River Refuge (on the left).
From southern Shreveport: Cross over the Jimmie Davis/70th Street Bridge heading toward Bossier City and immediately take the Arthur Ray Teague Parkway ramp on the right. At the stop sign turn left onto the parkway and drive south approximately 0.7 mile to the refuge entrance (on the right).