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Delta Region
Experience the history of the Delta Region, where Hernando de Soto and his Spanish conquistadors first crossed the Mississippi River in 1541. Take a car or bus tour down the Great River Road along the mighty Mississippi and find out how cotton helped transform Arkansas from a land of dense, wet woodlands and wild prairies into a "Southern State" of modern agricultural excellence. The Parkin Archeological State Park will lead you through the history of the Delta from prehistoric to modern times. You'll enjoy the Arkansas Post National Memorial and Arkansas Post Museum, which commemorate the first permanent European settlement on the lower Mississippi River and Arkansas' first territorial capital. Visit Helena, the home of the blues, for the world-famous Helena Blues Festival or to tour the Delta Cultural Center museum. Other notable museums include: Hampson Museum State Park at Wilson, Arkansas State University Museum of Jonesboro, the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie in Stuttgart and the Louisiana Purchase State Park south of Brinkley.
Arkansas Post State Museum
Gillett, Stuttgart - Delta
Located approximately 2 hours from Little Rock.
Interstate 40 east, AR 86 South
Contact Information:
Phone: 870-548-2634
Email: arkansaspostmuseum@arkansas.com
Website: http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/arkansaspostmuseum
The Arkansas Post Museum, an Arkansas State Parks site, includes authentic Delta structures and numerous exhibits, including farm implements and Native American pottery. Stroll through five original Delta exhibit buildings to explore life on, and the history of, Arkansas' Grand Prairie and Delta. The Arkansas Post Memorial, a National Park Service unit, commemorates the first permanent European settlement (1686) in the Mississippi River's lower valley. In 1819, Arkansas Post became Arkansas's first territorial capital and it was the scene of a major Civil War engagement in 1863. A walking tour with informational panels and a short film and exhibits in the memorial's visitors center interpret the site. The nearby state museum houses a broad collection of artifacts and materials relating to the Post and to agricultural and pioneer life in the nearby area. Tour authentic and re-created structures from the unique half-million-acre tall-grass Grand Prairie region and the Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie. Learn of the German settlers who gave the town its name.
Crowley's Ridge National Scenic Byway
Crowley's Ridge - Delta
Plan for 5 hours to tour this area.
Go to http://www.byways.org/browse/byways/10408/travel.html for directions.
Contact Information:
Phone: 870-910-8080
Website: http://www.deltabyways.com/tours/crp.asp
Traveling Crowley's Ridge from the Arkansas Delta, one unique ridge rises and runs for miles. Named for the first settler in the area, Crowley's Ridge is a byway that exhibits history and nature. Picturesque and dramatic views along this byway are created by natural plant communities and the rolling topography. Spring and fall find the most dramatic expression in the foliage. Crowley's Ridge is believed to be a geological formation caused by water, ice, and wind action over a 50-million-year period. The only similar land form is found in Siberia. Now, the Ridge is a forested area with plenty of places to explore. The ridge is home to five state parks, a national forest, world-class waterfowl hunting, and excellent fishing. With all of these recreational opportunities at your fingertips, you are sure to have a good time. Towns are stopping points for museums, Civil War sites, and old-fashioned country stores.
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Delta Cultural CenterHelena - Delta |
Museum in a restored depot and storefront tells the story of efforts to settle and cultivate the fertile Mississippi River Valley. Interactive audio exhibits on the region's heritage of blues and gospel music. Civil War Battle of Helena exhibit.
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Lake Chicot State ParkLake Village - Delta |
The Mississippi Delta's captivating beauty and recreational opportunities come together at Arkansas's largest natural lake, Lake Chicot. Cut off centuries ago when the Mississippi River changed course, this 20-mile long oxbow lake is a peaceful setting for fishing, boating and bird watching. Fishing for crappie, bass and bream is popular on the lake, especially on the upper end of Lake Chicot during spring and fall. Fishing for catfish is great throughout the year. Located in the Mississippi Flyway, this park offers some of the best year-round birding opportunities in Arkansas. The park interpreter offers lake tours, levee tours and other opportunities for you to view a variety of birds and other wildlife. Nestled in a lovely pecan grove, the park offers 127 campsites, 14 cabins with kitchens (many with fireplace, lake view patio and fishing dock), a swimming pool (open in summer), picnicking, standard pavilions (screened), laundry and playground. Food and gifts are for sale at the store/marina. Here you'll also find boats, motors and personal water craft to rent, fuel, bait and a launch ramp. The visitor center interprets the area's history and natural resources through exhibits and programs. Bicycles can be rented at the center.
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Louisiana Purchase State ParkBrinkley - Delta |
This National Historic Landmark at the junction of Lee, Monroe and Phillips counties preserves the initial point from which all surveys of the property acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 initiated. You'll experience the captivating beauty and natural sounds of the surrounding swamp. Along the boardwalk, interpretive wayside exhibits tell about the Louisiana Purchase and describe the flora and fauna of the swamp. This headwater swamp is representative of the swamplands that were common in eastern Arkansas before the vast bottomlands were drained and cleared for farming and commercial purposes.
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Parkin Archeological State ParkParkin - Delta |
Parkin Archeological State Park in eastern Arkansas at Parkin preserves and interprets the Parkin site on the St. Francis River where a 17-acre Mississippi Period Native America village was located from A.D. 1000 to 1550. A large platform mound on the river bank remains. The site is important for understanding the history and prehistory of northeast Arkansas. Along with including an archeological research laboratory, the park visitor center includes an interpretive exhibit area, auditorium and gift shop. A picnic area, playground and standard pavilion (enclosed) are located nearby. The park interpretive staff offers audiovisual programs, site tours, workshops and other educational programs, and special events and activities. When archeological excavations are underway, visitors on guided tours can observe them.
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