Cycling
Delta Heritage Trail
An 85-mile crushed-gravel rail-trail through the Arkansas Delta, for cycling and walking.
The Delta Heritage Trail State Park is an 85-mile rail-trail from Lexa to Arkansas City. It follows the old Missouri Pacific Railroad line through the Arkansas Delta, past farm country, cypress swamp and small towns. All ten segments are open, including the bridges over the White River and the Arkansas River.
The surface is crushed gravel, with concrete on the bridges. The trail is flat, for cycling, walking and running. Trailheads along the way have bathrooms, water and bike repair stations, and the Barton Visitor Center on US 49 rents bikes.
The inn is lodging for the north end of the trail: the Barton Visitor Center is about 15 minutes away by car, Lake View half an hour and Elaine 45 minutes. deltaheritagetrail.com has a map of the whole trail and the services at each town. The inn has secure bike storage for guests.
What to bring
- Bicycle
- Helmet
- Water
- Sunscreen
Activities
Other ways to spend the day
Birding · 3 miles away
Birding near Helena
The St. Francis National Forest, 5 to 10 minutes from the inn, and the Big Woods refuges farther out.
Cycling · From the inn
Gravel Riding: the High Road and the Low Road
Segment 1 of the Crowley's Ridge Gravel Trail, from the front door: the paved high road and the gravel low road to Marianna.
Fishing · 3 miles away
Fishing near Helena
Forest lakes, the St. Francis confluence and nearby oxbow lakes. The Mississippi itself is for experienced catfishermen.
Ten rooms at The Edwardian Inn.
Each one is named for a person tied to Helena.
Real availability, real rates. No booking fees, ever.
Or call the inn at (870) 338-9155