Delta Heritage Trail: Barton to Lick Creek return
Arkansas · Rail-trail
Follow the signed former railway south toward Lick Creek. At Lick Creek turn on the trail side before entering AR 85 or its road shoulder, and retrace to Barton. The park recommends this short return. An intermediate local road crosses the route: dismount, stop and cross only when clear at the signed trail crossing. If a crossing is uncomfortable, turn there for a shorter ride. Do not make the return on Old Little Rock Road or continue over bridges toward Lake View.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Barton / Helena–West Helena · Arkansas
- Ride length
- About 3.2 miles
- Ride format
- Out-and-back
- Surface
- Fine crushed gravel
- Road crossings
- Follow the signed former railway south toward Lick Creek. At Lick Creek turn on the trail side before entering AR 85 or its road shoulder, and retrace to Barton. The park recommends this short return. An intermediate local road crosses the route: dismount, stop and cross only when clear at the signed trail crossing. If a crossing is uncomfortable, turn there for a shorter ride. Do not make the return on Old Little Rock Road or continue over bridges toward Lake View.
- Elevation
- The park rates this section Easy and describes the railway course as nearly level. Gravel, approaches and local road interfaces can still require walking; no measured maximum slope is supplied.
- Starting location
- 5539 Highway 49, Helena–West Helena, AR
Owner section length 1.6 miles one way, doubled. Parking walking and exact road-side turnaround can change the total slightly. Not the northern 41.7-mile inventory.
Approximate street-address point. Follow signs for the designated park or trail entrance.
Delta Heritage Trail: Barton to Lick Creek return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-20. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
Barton / Helena–West Helena, Arkansas · About 3.2 miles out and back · Fine crushed gravel
Start: Barton visitor center / Delta Heritage Trail headquarters public parking, 5539 Highway 49, Helena–West Helena, AR. The park explicitly identifies ample public parking at Barton. Walk the signed connection from the visitor-center lot to the main railbed, south of Highway 49; do not start by crossing Highway 49 or use a roadside shoulder.
Ride: Follow the signed former railway south toward Lick Creek. At Lick Creek turn on the trail side before entering AR 85 or its road shoulder, and retrace to Barton. The park recommends this short return. An intermediate local road crosses the route: dismount, stop and cross only when clear at the signed trail crossing. If a crossing is uncomfortable, turn there for a shorter ride. Do not make the return on Old Little Rock Road or continue over bridges toward Lake View.
Distance: Owner section length 1.6 miles one way, doubled. Parking walking and exact road-side turnaround can change the total slightly. Not the northern 41.7-mile inventory.
Surface, permission and effort: The state park expressly offers bicycle riding on the improved rail-trail. The park rates this section Easy and describes the railway course as nearly level. Gravel, approaches and local road interfaces can still require walking; no measured maximum slope is supplied.
Planning: Trail sunrise to one hour after sunset; choose daylight. Visitor-center hours are separate. State parks are free to enter; rentals, camping and guided events have separate charges. Follow current posted parking terms. Yield to walkers, announce passes and use a bicycle suited to firm gravel. Carry water; Barton facilities are more substantial than the small Lick Creek stop. This guide does not establish e-bike class rules.
Access: Reviewed October 20, 2026: the park still promotes Barton–Lick Creek. The status map shows unfinished middle connections elsewhere; it does not promise a continuous 84.5-mile trail. No closure specific to this short section was identified in the bounded owner review. Check new signs, debris, mud and road crossings before continuing.
Choose comfortable weather, bring water and check current signs before setting out. No parking-space pin, surveyed route or GPX is supplied.