AR State Parks: Marks' Mills Battleground State Park

This hike IS sorta PET-FRIENDLY (ready description).

Our goal in this series is to visit all 52 state parks. This month’s park is:

Marks' Mills Battleground State Park
Ark Hwy 8, Fordyce, AR 71660

We will meet at the Bass Pro Pyramid north parking lot off Front Street (the smaller parking lot close to auto bridge over to Mud Island) at 8:45 am for those who would like to carpool. We will leave at 9:00 am.

About this park:
Three Civil War battles took place in south central Arkansas in the spring of 1864 as part of the Union Army’s Red River Campaign. The sites of these skirmishes – Poison Springs, Marks’ Mills, and Jenkins Ferry – and the 1836 Courthouse at Historic Washington State Park, which served as Arkansas’ Confederate capital, comprise the Red River Campaign National Historic Landmark.

Arkansas State Parks list:
https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks

Planned Hikes: Dollypop Trail & Warren Prairie Natural Area Loop

Dollypop Trail
(Google Maps)
Check out this 1.6-mile loop trail near Monticello, AR. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 29 min to complete. This trail is great for hiking, mountain biking, and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. This multi-use trail can be used for hiking and biking but is primarily intended for mountain biking. The single-track natural surface path follows hilly terrain toward the lake, where there is a small descent along the shoreline; otherwise, there is no significant elevation change. From the parking lot, this route follows the trail access to Lumberyard, Outbound, and Dollypop then returns on the same track. The trail has many built features, berms, and rollers for a fun ride

Warren Prairie Natural Area Loop
(Google Maps)
Head out on this 2.0-mile loop trail near Wilmar, AR. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 35 min to complete. This trail is great for birding, hiking, and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Food: La Loma Grill
For those who would like to join us for a meal afterward, we are planning on eating at La Loma Grill, 1814 Hwy 167-79 By-Pass, Fordyce, AR 71742