The first-ever Birding Festival of the South is set for October 8–10 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, offering a full weekend of activities for bird enthusiasts. Organized by Oaklawn, the festival aims to highlight the region’s diverse habitats while providing educational programs and entertainment.
A $35 festival pass grants participants access to most events, including workshops, keynote addresses, live music, panels, arts and crafts, and kids’ activities. However, the pass does not cover exclusive field trips, which require separate registration. These guided excursions offer transportation and have varying capacity limits. Registration and vendor details are available at hotsprings.org/events/birding-festival-of-the-south/.
Hot Springs is uniquely suited for birdwatching, thanks to its abundant natural resources. Attendees will have opportunities to explore over 26 miles of trails in Hot Springs National Park, 31.5 miles of paths within the Northwoods Trails system, and the vast, 1.8-million-acre Ouachita National Forest. Other birdwatching locations include the 210-acre Garvan Woodland Gardens, specialized ponds at the Andrew Hulsey Fish Hatchery, and the expansive shorelines of Lakes Hamilton, Catherine, Ouachita, and DeGray.
For more information, contact festival organizer Alexis Hampo at ahampo@hotsprings.org or 501-321-2277. Event updates are also available on Facebook at Birding Festival of the South.