Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism Temporarily Closes Some Trails and Areas Due to Storm Damage

FOR RELEASE – April 14, 2020
For more information, contact Melissa Whitfield, (501) 324-9611 or [email protected]
 
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) — Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism (ADPHT), today announced some trails and areas in the Arkansas State Parks system that have temporarily closed due to damage from the storms over Easter weekend. Strong winds downed trees that will have to be removed before the affected areas can open again for day use.

“We regret having to close more trails and day-use areas in the parks when we have already had to restrict so much due to COVID-19,” said Hurst, “but we must keep our guests’ safety in mind. Park staff is working to get trails back open as quickly as possible.”

Temporary closures are:

  • Park is closed, boat ramp only open at Cane Creek State Park
  • Barton to Elaine Trail and Watson to Rowher Trail at Delta Heritage Trail State Park
  • Caddo Bend Day-Use Area at DeGray Lake Resort State Park
  • Falls Branch Trail, Horseshoe Mountain Trail and Dam Mountain Trail at Lake Catherine State Park
  • Jenkins’ Ferry Battleground State Park
  • CCC Hike/Bike Trail at Petit Jean State Park

For status on reopening, check ArkansasStateParks.com.

State Parks had already been limited to day-use only due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. State Park lodges are closed, as are camping and cabin rentals. Some very popular trails at Pinnacle Mountain State Park, Petit Jean State Park, and Devil’s Den State Park are closed because they are spaces where social distancing is not easily practiced. Complete and up-to-date information on the parks and closings can be found at ArkansasStateParks.com/covid-19-update.


ADPHT has three major divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage, and Arkansas Tourism. Arkansas State Parks manages 52 state parks and promotes Arkansas as a tourist destination for people around the country. Arkansas Heritage preserves and promotes Arkansas’s natural and cultural history and heritage through four historic museums and four cultural preservation agencies. Arkansas Tourism improves the state’s economy by generating travel and enhancing the image of the state. 

 

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About Arkansas State Parks

Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 54,400 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities and unique historic and cultural resources. The system includes 1,100 buildings (including 183 historic structures), six National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, 16 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, and War Memorial Stadium.

The state parks have 1,800 campsites, 1,050 picnic sites, 208 cabins, five lodges, and 415 miles of trails. Eight million visitors annually come from all regions of the country. Park staffs provide over 42,000 education programs, activities and special events to more than 700,000 participants each year.

Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism, and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more about everything we have to offer.