This post was written in December 2025. For the trail's status in April 2026, read Mile Zero: A Cyclist's Guide to Helena, Arkansas.
The Delta Heritage Trail runs through Arkansas's Mississippi Delta, from six miles west of Helena to Rohwer. It is a rail-to-trail route on the old Missouri Pacific Railroad corridor, planned at 84.5 miles. The Edwardian Inn in Helena is a base for riding it.
The Missouri Pacific Railroad
The trail uses the former Wynne Subdivision of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. It passes Delta towns, farms and forests in southeast Arkansas. The railroad was built to connect St. Louis and New Orleans on the western side of the Mississippi River. It opened miles of swampland and river bottoms to loggers, farmers and manufacturing.
You ride the same line as the Delta Eagle passenger train. In 1946, the southbound Missouri Pacific Delta Eagle left nearby Lexa at 5:42 p.m., and you could hear its whistle at Helena Junction.
What Cyclists Need to Know
Distance and Surface
When the project is complete, the trail will be 84.5 miles long. As of December 2025, 69.8 miles were complete. The surface is crushed limestone. The trail runs under native hardwoods, beside farm fields and across streams.
The grade is nearly flat, about 1 percent, and the surface is firm. The route is ADA-compliant and an easy ride for most ages and abilities. The first two miles, from Lexa to the Barton visitor center, are coarser gravel. A hybrid bike handles it, but it takes more effort.
Trail Segments
The trail has two sections:
- Northern corridor: 41.7 miles from Lexa to Snow Lake
- Southern corridor: 28.2 miles from Yancopin to Arkansas City, including 15 miles of shared-use roadway on the Mississippi River Mainline Levee
Access Points Near Helena
Helena Junction Trailhead (Near Lexa)
The Helena Junction trailhead near Lexa is the northernmost access point. It is six miles from downtown Helena, so the Edwardian Inn is a convenient overnight stop for trail riders.
Trailheads from North to South
There are ten trailheads: Lexa, Barton, Lick Creek, Lake View, Elaine, Mellwood, Snow Lake, Watson, Rohwer, and Arkansas City. Restrooms are at Barton, Elaine, Mellwood, Snow Lake, Arkansas City, Watson, and Rohwer.
Barton Visitor Center
The Delta Heritage Trail State Park visitor center is at the Barton trailhead, near the northern end. It has restrooms open 24 hours (no showers), five primitive campsites with tent pads, picnic tables, standing grills, and a water spigot. The visitor center has a gift shop, bike rentals, and interpretive programs.
What to Expect on the Trail
Terrain and Scenery
The trail crosses native hardwood forest, farm fields, and streams. It is in the heart of the Delta, on the Mississippi Flyway, and there is a lot of wildlife to watch along the way.
You are likely to see white-tailed deer, coyotes, and beavers, along with snakes and turtles. Blue jays, hawks, woodpeckers, and wild turkeys are common in the park.
Along the Way
- Old Towne Lake at the Lakeview trailhead has views of a cypress-filled former channel of the Mississippi River, where the river flowed around 800 to 900 AD
- The Rohwer Heritage Site, where more than 8,000 Japanese Americans were interned between 1942 and 1945
- Railroad history along the Helena Junction to Lick Creek section, about 7.5 miles round trip
When to Ride
The best months are April through September. The north part of the trail, from about Lakeview to Mellwood, has less shade.
Future Trail Connections
The White and Arkansas River crossings were expected to be complete by late 2025. When they are, distance cyclists can ride a series of trails from Memphis, Tennessee. The route crosses the Big River Bridge, follows the Big River Levee Trail to Marianna, Arkansas, runs through the St. Francis National Forest to Helena-West Helena, and joins the Delta Heritage Trail. That is nearly 200 miles of riding.
Staying at The Edwardian Inn
After a day on the trail, come back to The Edwardian Inn. The house was built in 1904 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has period furnishings and modern comforts.
Breakfast is Southern, with fresh-baked biscuits and locally sourced ingredients. Then you can ride again. The inn has ten individually decorated guest rooms.
The inn is in downtown Helena, close to the trail and to the town's blues history. The Delta Cultural Center and the Cherry Street historic district are a short walk away, for the evening after a ride.
Planning Your Ride
The trail is an easy ride for all ages and experience levels: solo cyclists, couples, and families. Bike rentals and trail maps are at the visitor center. Pick up a map before you set out.
For a weekend of riding or a longer Delta trip, choose your room.
