This trail is a four-mile path meandering through several hundred acres of land set aside as a wildlife sanctuary. Hikers should plan three hours to walk the trail. Bicyclists should finish the ride in approximately one hour.

Tips & Rules

A variety of plants and animals can be found in Millwood State Park, and this trail offers many viewing opportunities. Common mammals that might be seen include deer, raccoon, opossum, fox, coyote and more. Uncommon visitors like bobcats and bears have also been documented in this area, but are rarely seen.

Many herptiles call Millwood their home. From tiny frogs the size of a dime, to alligators over 12 feet long, Millwood Lake provides the habitat for their survival. In the quiet of a secluded walk, you might see, or hear these creatures. Snakes may slither across the path, so always give them the right-of-way. Over 315 species of birds have been documented around Millwood Lake. Many of them exist in habitats that can be found along the Wildlife Lane Trail. From the hawthorn thickets to the lake's edge, listen for bird songs or watch for movement that will help you see birds before they see you. A pair of quality binoculars and your trusty field identification guide will be helpful in identifying different species.

Wildlife Lane is a multi-use trail, and was designed to accommodate both hikers, and bicyclers. When either group meets, common sense should prevail to avoid any accidents. Ride and walk with the respect of others in mind. All plants and animals must be left undisturbed. Please stay on the designated trail to retain the natural setting.

As you wander Wildlife Lane, take note of the signed points of interest.

Your Journey Begins

1. The first stopping point along your journey is "Lily Cove." From early spring through late fall, travelers can enjoy the majestic beauty of hundreds of lily and lotus plants. These plants span the entire pocket and if one is extremely quiet and patient, you may catch a glimpse of the ever present, but rarely seen American Alligator hiding amongst the floating vegetation.
2. Another spot for openly viewing the ever elusive alligator is our next point, "Alligator Lookout." Park personnel and patient guests have spied North America's largest reptile on numerous occasions in this area. Wildlife are unpredictable and many people mistake floating timber for alligators and conversely, a good deal of our visitors actually see an alligator but think they have seen a log. Look carefully.
3. Next stop, "Beaver Hollow," was named for the beaver mound on the shore. This is one of Millwood's many active beaver mounds. A mound, unlike a dam, is where the beavers actually live. They enter the lodge from underwater. Beavers are chiefly nocturnal, but occasionally are seen during the day. They appear shortly after sundown to spend the night feeding on bark and twigs.
4. A favorite area for bird watchers is "Paradise Point." The patient bird watcher can hear or view a large number of species from this area. The brushy area lends itself to numerous songbirds, and the beaver pond is great habitat for waterfowl, herons and egrets. The diversity of the area is tremendous, making it a bird watcher's paradise. As you walk away from the lake, you can revel in the beauty of Millwood's woodland habitat. This is a prime location for large mammals, such as bobcat and black bear. However, these are rarely seen animals.
5. An easily, and more frequently spied mammal is the whitetail deer. This area is called "Deer Run" because of the high frequency of deer seen in the surrounding forest. If you are patient and quiet, catching a glimpse of a deer could be a rewarding treat.
6. Nearing the end of the trail, you enter "Hardwood Bottom." This area of the trail has the greatest population of hardwoods, such as water oaks and willow oaks. Most of Southwest Arkansas is covered in pine forests, but areas of hardwood can be found. Turkeys, deer and squirrels love the acorns that originate from these trees. Acorns are rich in many vitamins, and are a staple in the diet of many birds, too.

History All Around

There is something else to see along the trail, however, it will require your imagination. Years ago, this entire area was home to the Caddo Indians. The rich open land along the rivers allowed the Caddo to grow numerous crops to sustain them. They also hunted and gathered in the forest where you are now. Proof of their existence is evident today in the artifacts that are found around the county.

In the early 1800's, settlers moved into this area, displacing the local Indians. They cleared the land, using the timber for construction, and farmed the cleared river bottoms. As a matter of fact, the very area where you are standing was once farmland. In the period of 1840 to 1890 this region was popular because of steamboat traffic on the river. The steamboats docked at Millwood Landing, just northeast of here. However, once railroads were introduced, steamboat traffic ceased.