This All Day Water Trail Through An Arkansas Bayou Is Positively Peaceful
By Carol Ann Carson|Published June 13, 2019
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
Sometimes you just need to get away from routine 9-5 and reconnect with nature. One perfect place for a peaceful retreat is within the Wattensaw Wildlife Management Area. Located east of Little Rock, this water trail is a calm paddle through the bayou. Let’s spend the day or even longer as we float along the river.
Arkansas has a unique system of trails that's unlike any other.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has a water trail program with thirteen (and counting) developed water trails around the state. Today's trail, the Wattensaw Bayou Water Trail is primarily maintained by volunteers with the Arkansas Watertrails Partnership. You visit their website right here. For directions to the bayou, use this map.
The Wattensaw Bayou Water Trail is a relaxing paddle through calm waters.
The entire trail is 7.8 miles, though it can be easily broken in two smaller chunks. You can expect to travel 1-2 miles per hour depending on water levels and paddle speed.
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Just about everyone can enjoy this easy paddle trip.
Take a friend or the whole family for a day trip in the bayou. Do keep in mind that according to Arkansas law, children 12 and under must wear a life jacket. And don't forget the bug spray!
You can expect to see beavers and river otters along the trail as well as a plethora of birds overhead. You won't need to look hard for some sights though, like the massive tupelo and bald cypress trees.
Spend a few hours on the river or pitch a tent for the night.
The area has multiple campsites that can be accessed by road or an even more secluded option. A river-only access campsite is located between North Road Access and Robinwood Road Access. All of the campsites are primitive and are marked by blue paint.
However long you spend on the bayou trail, you'll leave feeling like one with nature.
Not every Arkansas adventure has to be a fast-paced thrill ride. Some of the most memorable trips are those with just a canoe and good friends.
Have you taken one of the water trails in the state? Tell us about your experience in the comments below! You can share your trail photos in our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
There’s another water trail nearby that has it’s own floating platform for camping!
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