State parks are absolute treasures, keeping land available to the public for recreation and time in nature. If you’re looking for a charming and unique state park in the southern U.S., Arkansas has one that is perfect for both a quiet stroll, and an epic bike ride, and it centers around a trail that will ultimately span 84.5 miles along the Mississippi River. The Delta Heritage Trail State Park begins on the northern end in Lexa, Arkansas, and runs south to the town of Arkansas City. While there is still one unfinished section between Snow Lake and the White River, it’s on the way to completion. Along the route, you’ll pass through small, quiet towns like Lick Creek, Mellwood, and Rohwer, as well as forests, farmland, wetlands, and historic areas.
The trail also has lots of amenities, including guided hikes, restrooms at some stops, fishing in the river, and more. The closest airport to the northernmost trailhead in Lexa is the Memphis International Airport (ranked the most family-friendly in America in 2025), around 1.5 hours away, so it’s a good idea to rent a car if you’re flying in. According to Arkansas Outside, as of June 8, 2026, the trail is close to completion, with the final leg, the White River “Benzal” Bridge section, set to connect the north and south portions of the trail. At the time of this writing, it’s looking at a mid-December completion date, but check the official website for updated information.
All about the Delta Heritage Trail State Park and some of the small towns on the way
The Delta Heritage Trail State Park land runs along a former railroad corridor, and was acquired by Arkansas State Parks in 1993. The rail-to-trail conversion is largely flat and ADA-compliant, so it’s accessible to most park-goers. Along the route, you may spot animals like white-tailed deer, muskrats, bobcats, mink, beaver, and wild turkeys, so make sure you bring binoculars. You can see the most current map of the trail here, allowing you to select the segment(s) you want to do. While the trail is along the Mississippi River, it’s not always right alongside it outside of the towns of Elaine, Mellwood, and on the route between Rohwer and Arkansas City. There are also a few river crossings over bridges, giving you some lovely scenery…