Mississippi River State Park: Where Delta Meets Ridge

Mississippi River State Park offers a unique convergence of natural landscapes, where the flat expanse of the Arkansas Delta rises to meet Crowley's Ridge and the mighty Mississippi River. This creates a diverse environment for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike The park's location provides access to the St. Francis National Forest and features three lakes: Bear Creek Lake, Storm Creek Lake, and Hornor Neck Lake. Visitors can explore hardwood forests, enjoy water activities, and hike along scenic trails. The All American Great River Road and Crowley's Ridge Parkway, both National Scenic Byways, pass through the park, offering picturesque driving routes.The park's visitor center serves as an interpretive hub, showcasing the history and ecology of the region. Interactive exhibits connect visitors to the natural, cultural, and historic resources of the Mississippi River, the Arkansas Delta, and Crowley's Ridge. The visitor center also offers a gift shop and serves as a registration point for camping and cabin rentals.Recreational opportunities abound, including boating, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Anglers can cast their lines for largemouth bass, bream, crappie, and catfish. Four hiking trails wind through the park, offering opportunities for birding and wildlife watching. The park also provides camping facilities, with options ranging from full-hookup RV sites to primitive tent sites.The park's unique location on Crowley's Ridge, a geological anomaly rising above the flat Delta, provides a distinct landscape. This ridge served as a refuge for American Indians during times of high water and was later explored by early European explorers. The confluence of the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers, located within the park, was the starting point for the land survey of the Louisiana Purchase in 1815.