Delta Heritage Trail North End: Elaine to Mellwood

This 9-mile “rails-to-trail” runs from Elaine to Mellwood, AR. The trail surface is finely crushed gravel. The Elaine Trailhead is located in downtown Elaine, Arkansas. The trailhead has a restroom, along with a few parking spots, a water fountain, trash cans, and a bike repair station. The history of this small rural community is marred by an intense outburst of violence that occurred over 100 years ago. The trailhead’s covered seating area (similar to Lake View’s) has interpretive panels that discuss this painful history and the community’s path forward today. The Elaine Trailhead features a culturally significant willow tree that is part of the community’s memorial to the bloody events of 1919. A local non-profit is building a museum right across the street from the trailhead that will further interpret the events of 1919 and their impact today.

The Mellwood Trailhead is located in the small community of Mellwood and features a restroom, along with a few parking spots, a water foundation, trash cans, and a bike repair station. The trailhead’s covered seating area (similar to Elaine’s) has interpretive panels where you can discover how the community’s history is bound to the struggle to harness water and the transportation the former rail line provided for residents.