Delta Heritage Trail State Park: A Journey Through History and Nature

Delta Heritage Trail State Park offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural and cultural heritage of the Arkansas Delta. This developing state park is a rails-to-trails conversion, utilizing a former Union Pacific Railroad corridor to create an 84.5-mile multi-use trail. The park is located in Phillips, Arkansas, and Desha counties. The trail is open to hikers and bikers, winding through a diverse landscape of native hardwood forests, agricultural fields, and streams. Wildlife viewing and birdwatching are popular activities, with opportunities to observe various bird species native to the Arkansas Delta. The trail also passes through some of the most remote and scenic areas remaining in the Delta region. Currently, approximately 69.8 miles of the trail are open. The completed northern corridor stretches 41.7 miles from Lexa to Snow Lake, while the southern corridor covers 28.2 miles from Yancopin to Arkansas City. The trail is being developed in phases, with plans to eventually cross the White and Arkansas rivers. The park's visitor center is located at the Barton trailhead, near the northern end of the trail. Here, visitors can find maps, a gift shop, restrooms, and picnic sites. Bike rentals are available, and the park offers interpretive programming.