Swamps may not be the first place that come to mind for a destination day trip but some of Arkansas' wetlands are incredibly historic, scenic, and downright record-breaking. The Lorance Creek Natural Area is a surprisingly stunning swamp in Central Arkansas. The breezy trail here is informative as well as accessible for families! Let's take this boardwalk through the trees and see more:
You don't need to trek hours-deep into the woods for a chance to reconnect with nature when you have Lorance Creek Natural Area as an option.
This middle-of-the-woods adventure is an easy exit off of the I-530 on the southern side of Little Rock. You can see a map here.
The entire Natural Area is a slice of preserved paradise.
Lorance Creek Natural Area is about 390 acres of preserved swamp. The area is actually a convergence of two ecosystems: the Coastal Plain and the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The area has been under conservation efforts since 1990 by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
The towering pine and bald cypress trees are stunning but it's the details that make this trip worthwhile.
The trail through the trees will also tour you to the quiet details of the forest be it dainty wildflowers or a quick-footed salamander. The longer you observe the more you can learn!
The trail and boardwalk through Lorance Creek will keep you above the swamp.
Enjoy the cypress without wading through any muck! No specialty hiking boots are needed for this mini adventure, just comfortable shoes.
The breezy .5-mile trek opens into a larger platform with plaques and seating.
Here you can grab your best pictures of the forest and learn more about the diverse ecosystems of the Natural Area. You can take a quick water break as well!
The ease of accessibility and endless chances for education make this little hike worthwhile.
Everyone can enjoy the ADA accessible trail (including leashed four-legged friends). This is a great first hike for young nature lovers, too! You can learn more details about the area by visiting the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission website.
Have you taken the trail through the trees at Lorance Creek? Tell us about your experience in the comments below! We'd love to see your pictures 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.
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