Delta Heritage Trail State Park Travel Guide

Delta Heritage Trail State Park offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and history of the Arkansas Delta. This rails-to-trails conversion project is transforming an abandoned Union Pacific Railroad corridor into a scenic trail for hikers and bicyclists. When completed, the trail will stretch 84.5 miles from Lexa to Arkansas City, offering a diverse landscape of native hardwoods, agricultural fields, and streams.The park is divided into northern and southern sections, with approximately 69.8 miles of trail currently open. The northern corridor spans 41.7 miles from Lexa to Snow Lake, while the southern corridor covers 28.2 miles from Yancopin to Arkansas City, including a 15-mile shared-use roadway on the Mississippi River Mainline Levee.Visitors can explore the trail at their own pace, encountering a variety of wildlife and plants along the way. The trail's relatively flat grade and firm surface make it accessible for most ages and abilities. Several trailheads provide access to the park, including amenities such as restrooms, picnic areas, and bicycle repair stations. The visitor center at the Barton trailhead offers maps, bike rentals, and interpretive programs.The Delta Heritage Trail offers a glimpse into the region's past, passing through remnants of the bottomland hardwood forest that once covered the Delta. The trail also provides access to historical sites such as the Rohwer Heritage Site, where Japanese Americans were interned during World War II.