Choctaw National Wildlife Refuge is composed of over 4,000 acres of rivers, sloughs, bottomland hardwood forest and a small amount of tall-grass cropland. The refuge is divided into three parts by the two creeks, the Okatuppa and Turkey, that flow through it.

Assuming the typical visitor arrives by land, access is for the most part from the north via Wildlife Drive, a packed clay lane that proceeds southward through a general sample of the habitats found on the refuge. Before entering the refuge, you may wish to visit Lenoir Landing, immediately northwest of the entrance. This small park has a restroom, picnic tables, Spanish moss'bedecked hardwoods and a nice view of one of the small inlets just off the river.

Return to the refuge entrance and take the clay road. First, note the dense mature hardwood forest on both sides of the road. The woods lining the road at this part are privately owned land, so remember to bird from your vehicle. Look for Eastern Wood-Pewees, Orchard Orioles, Summer Tanagers and Yellow-billed Cuckoos. You will find Eastern Towhees, Wood Thrushes, Hooded and Kentucky Warblers and several woodpeckers along this road. When the woods to the left open up, note the Cypress swamp.

In some springs there is a heronry active in the trees beyond the informational kiosk. This is one of the best parts of the refuge to see wintering waterfowl, and in late summer and fall, Wood Storks often roost in these trees. The first left turn leads to a small pier and boat launch. This site gives the best views up and down the river. Look for soaring Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites. From late March through August you can spot Ospreys, Bald Eagles, and a variety of swallows from this vantage point. There are often herons and egrets along the river banks.

The various sloughs, swamps and bayous host Swallow-tailed and Mississippi Kites, Red-shouldered Hawks, Common Moorhens, Wood Ducks, and Purple Gallinules. Look for Least Bitterns in the cattails and marsh grasses bordering the water. A few Pied-billed Grebes and Hooded Mergansers may linger to breed here.

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• Ecotourism