Arkansas Fall Foliage at Village Creek State Park
By: Suzanne Burnette, KARK 4 News Web Editor - Photos by: Elizabeth McGuire, KARK 4 E-Media Creative Director
Updated: November 15, 2011
Trees all across Arkansas are changing their colors for fall, leaving a panorama of red, brown, purple, yellow, and orange everywhere you look.
Arkansas state parks are some of the best places to get a front row seat.
A stop this past weekend at Village Creek State Park at Crowley's Ridge was no disappointment and a joy for any shutterbug.
The woods were filled with trees in full display of their fall foliage (click here for the Arkansas Fall Foliage report).
According to the Arkansas State Parks website (click here), Village Creek State Park is "covered with a lush, mixed hardwood forest including oak and hickory and uncommon hardwood trees such as American Beech, Sugar Maple, Butternut, Basswood, Cucumbertree, Kentucky Coffeetree, and the Tuliptree or Yellow Poplar. Village Creek State Park is one of five Arkansas state parks located on Crowley's Ridge."
A walk along the Austell trail promises a mini-workout along an unpaved and hilly route. This trail connects the visitor center with the Lake Austell boat dock, and Austell swimming and picnic areas. You can begin the trail at any of these locations. From the visitor center to the Lake Austell boat ramp it's .91 miles and from the visitor center to the Lake Austell picnic area, it's 1.12 miles.
There are interpretive programs and exhibits at the park which "share the story of the natural and cultural heritage of Crowley's Ridge. Five park trails totaling seven miles allow hikers the opportunity to explore this forest on their own, or on a guided trail walk with a park interpreter. Anglers can fish for bass, bream, catfish, and crappie at the park's two lakes, Lake Austell and Lake Dunn."
Horseback riding is another popular activity at Village Creek State Park, the "second largest in land area in Arkansas's state park system. Twenty-five miles of multi-use trails wind through the rolling hills and unique hardwood forest of Crowley's Ridge. The horse trails are open throughout the year. Call the park for current trail conditions."
Village Creek State Park is located two hours east of Little Rock, or one hour west of Memphis. Take Exit #242 off I-40 at Forrest City and travel 13 miles north on Ark. 284 to the park.
To contact the park, call (870) 238-9406.
Arkansas state parks are some of the best places to get a front row seat.
A stop this past weekend at Village Creek State Park at Crowley's Ridge was no disappointment and a joy for any shutterbug.
The woods were filled with trees in full display of their fall foliage (click here for the Arkansas Fall Foliage report).
According to the Arkansas State Parks website (click here), Village Creek State Park is "covered with a lush, mixed hardwood forest including oak and hickory and uncommon hardwood trees such as American Beech, Sugar Maple, Butternut, Basswood, Cucumbertree, Kentucky Coffeetree, and the Tuliptree or Yellow Poplar. Village Creek State Park is one of five Arkansas state parks located on Crowley's Ridge."
A walk along the Austell trail promises a mini-workout along an unpaved and hilly route. This trail connects the visitor center with the Lake Austell boat dock, and Austell swimming and picnic areas. You can begin the trail at any of these locations. From the visitor center to the Lake Austell boat ramp it's .91 miles and from the visitor center to the Lake Austell picnic area, it's 1.12 miles.
There are interpretive programs and exhibits at the park which "share the story of the natural and cultural heritage of Crowley's Ridge. Five park trails totaling seven miles allow hikers the opportunity to explore this forest on their own, or on a guided trail walk with a park interpreter. Anglers can fish for bass, bream, catfish, and crappie at the park's two lakes, Lake Austell and Lake Dunn."
Horseback riding is another popular activity at Village Creek State Park, the "second largest in land area in Arkansas's state park system. Twenty-five miles of multi-use trails wind through the rolling hills and unique hardwood forest of Crowley's Ridge. The horse trails are open throughout the year. Call the park for current trail conditions."
Village Creek State Park is located two hours east of Little Rock, or one hour west of Memphis. Take Exit #242 off I-40 at Forrest City and travel 13 miles north on Ark. 284 to the park.
To contact the park, call (870) 238-9406.
