Big Piney Creek flows through Pope County as a clear mountain stream, passing rocky bluffs and gravel bars. Between Treat and Long Pool, this stretch makes for a ten-mile canoe trip. Big Piney Creek and the North Fork of the Illinois Bayou also offer opportunities for canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Together, these waterways offer a range of experiences: a canoe trip with a specific distance and several activities on two named waterways.
Rivers, Lakes and Camping
The developed Longpool Recreation Area, a campground, is located on Big Piney Creek. Camping is also available at Lake Dardanelle State Park. Old Post Road offers opportunities for boating, birdwatching and cycling. It has 37 reservable campsites with water and electrical hookups. As the number of sites and their amenities may change, check these details before planning your trip.
The main area of Lake Dardanelle State Park is in Russellville, on the 34,300-acre reservoir; the park is five miles from Interstate 40. The Russellville area includes a fishing pier and a visitor center with aquariums that each hold 8,000 gallons. Park interpreters lead programs and lake tours. Boating and wildlife viewing are other activities available in the park.
Lake Dardanelle State Park is recognized as a Trail of Tears National Historic Site. The visitor center on the Russellville side has exhibits about the history of the forced removal. This historical focus complements the water-based experiences with an opportunity to learn about the history of this place.
Lake Atkins also combines water and recreation: created from Galla Creek and Horsehead Creek as a recreation area, it covers 752 acres. You can fish there for bream, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass. The size figures show the difference in scale between the two lakes: Lake Atkins covers 752 acres, while the reservoir at Lake Dardanelle State Park covers 34,300 acres.
Trails, Wetlands and Forest
Bona Dea Trails & Sanctuary encompasses 186 acres of wetlands and open woodland that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. Almost six miles of trails wind through the area. You can walk or jog there, or enjoy nature photography and wildlife observation. The combination of wetlands and woodland makes this a specific destination for nature experiences.
Along the northern boundary, the Ozark National Forest reaches into Pope County. In the Piney Creek WMA, the Ozark Highlands Trail traverses the full width of the area. These two landscape features add another dimension to the county’s natural setting, alongside the Russellville-area waterfronts and trails.
History, Art and Events
The Arkansas River Visitor Center is located at the Russellville Site Office. It tells the story of the River Valley’s development, from its settlement by Indigenous peoples to the present day. An interactive computer model lets students operate a lock chamber and simulate locking a towboat and its barge through. The center also offers a view of Dardanelle Lock and Dam.
For the performing arts, the Center for the Arts has a 1,875-seat theater. The Norman Hall Art Gallery is located in Norman Hall on the Arkansas Tech University campus. The Potts Inn Museum is housed in a restored antebellum home built around 1850 to 1858. The museum is located in one of the best-preserved stagecoach stations along the Butterfield Overland Mail Route; the grounds include five log cabins.
Local traditions add more to consider when planning a trip. The Pope County Fair has been a county tradition held every year since 1941. Picklefest celebrates Atkins’ pickle tradition annually on the third weekend in May. If you plan your trip around either of these dates, check that year’s event calendar in advance.
The Pope County Farmers Market supplies the Russellville area with locally grown fruits and vegetables, meat, honey and eggs; locally made baked goods and crafts are also available there. Alongside nature and history, the market brings local produce and crafts into focus.
Discover more destinations: Russellville, Atkins, Mississippi County, Crawford, Hot Spring County, Franklin County, Garland and Greene County.
For the full travel overview: Arkansas.
