The refuge contains 21,592 acres and lies in a basin formed in an ancient abandoned channel of the Mississippi River. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge also contains a 7,730-acre Wilderness Area designated as Wilderness by Congress under the 1964 Wilderness Act to “…protect and preserve the wilderness character…for the use and enjoyment of the American people in a way that will leave these areas unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness.” Hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife observation, and wildlife photography are encouraged in the Wilderness Area. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge is recognized as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society as the refuge supports bird species and habitats that are of conservation priority.