Delta Heritage Trail State Park is a compelling route to experience the Delta region of Arkansas. The route goes from Lexa to Arkansas City, highlighting a large segment of the region along the way.

“It is such a great opportunity to encounter all of what the Delta has that's special,” said Heather Findley, superintendent at Delta Heritage Trail State Park and Louisiana Purchase State Park. “We have the agricultural landscape, we have the history of the rail line here, we have all these small communities that have individual stories and experiences that visitors can have.”

The Delta Heritage Trail, DHT, has been developed in phases by Arkansas State Parks and is slated for completion this year. When finished the total mileage of the trail will be 84.5 miles to walk or ride on. The rails-to-trails project is large in scope and also diverse in what one can see and experience along it. 

“The north end, Lexa down to Snow Lake, that really is an incredible agriculture landscape,” said Findley. “And then you get Snow Lake to Yancopin that becomes this deep Delta bottomland forest that is untouched, its pure solitude, it is some of the most remote areas of Arkansas that you will ever step into. The silence is just wonderful with all the nature around you. And then Yancopin down to Arkansas City we shift  into another landscape of our rivers and river history and more agricultural landscape…You get the full Delta really in my opinion, the full experience.”

There are 11 trailheads that can be found along the Delta Heritage Trail as access points to it. The visitor center for the park can be found at the Barton Trailhead, near the north end of the trail. At the southern end of the trail is the Arkansas City Trailhead and the John H. Johnson Commemorative Plaza, which provides a peek into the history of the area. For more ideas on places to visit along the trail and its history as a former railroad, check out this Arkansas State Parks article.

The trail is broad and being prepared when riding it is encouraged to have a safe and enjoyable time. For instance, have your 10 Essentials for riding, make sure you have plenty of snacks and water, etc. 

Along with biking and hiking, birding is also among the outdoor outlets that can be found along the trail. 

“The birding opportunities are phenomenal,” said Findley. “Avid birders have often talked about when you're walking along the Yancopin Bridge, you're at eye level with the warblers. Our different areas of the trail are going to have different habitats which are going to call in different types of birds. The migration patterns are very distinct. In the summer I see the roseate spoonbills, egrets, herons, wood storks. And then in the winter I see many different types of ducks and geese like wood ducks, mallards, snow geese and the greater white-fronted goose. The opportunity to bird is definitely here. And you can decide whether you want to do short distances, long distances, you can ride or hike out to our bridges and just stop and birdwatch and take it all in.” 

Findley said they have a popular pedal paddle program where you bike from Barton to Lake View and then paddle in Old Town Lake. And more pedal paddle programs are in the works in Arkansas City too.  

“We have many ways to recreate throughout the Delta Heritage Trail,” said Findley. “There's endless opportunities to connect off DHT, whether it’s with our programs, off in wildlife management areas or on your own.” 

There is much for visitors to discover at Delta Heritage Trail State Park.

“This trail just opens up an abundant opportunity to connect to the natural landscape and history of the area through outdoor recreation,” said Findley. 

For those who are curious about where to begin or how to start planning a trip, the park can help. “Give us a call, come to our programs, let us show you how to utilize and recreate on the Delta Heritage Trail,” said Findley. “This trail is amazing and we want to help you have a wonderful Arkansas state park experience.”  

For maps of the different sections of the Delta Heritage Trail and further information on the park, visit arkansasstateparks.com/parks/delta-heritage-trail-state-park.