Things to Do on Crowley's Ridge Parkway

Sunlight and Shadows over a Confederate Cemetery [1]

Crowley's Ridge Parkway exhibits the dramatic landscape and rich history of this portion of the South. From the trails and waters of a National Forest to Civil War battlefields to Native American villages and more, you'll find plenty of captivating sights and activities on this fascinating byway.

Remnant from the Ice Age - Crowley's Ridge [2]

The byway is named for Crowley's Ridge, a prominent, tree-covered land formation rising up to about 300 feet above the surrounding landscape and running about 200 miles from Helena, Arkansas north into Missouri. Crowley's Ridge is believed to have been created by water, ice, and wind action over a 50-million-year period. It is unique on this half of the world; the only other known landform similar to it is said to be in Siberia.

Stop for your first up-close look at this unique land formation and its wildlife at the St. Francis National Forest on the byway’s southern end near Helena, Arkansas. This 22,600-acre forest may be one of the smallest forests in the country, but you can still bike and hike along shady mountain trails and wooded pathways. Mountain streams flow throughout the forest, so cool your feet in sparkling waters as a break from taking pictures of the abundant birds and wildlife in the forest, such as Wild Turkey, white-tailed deer, bears and more.

Parkin Archeological State Park [3]

For a taste of the prehistoric, head to Parkin Archeological State Park east of Wynne, one of the few sites remaining that illustrates the ancient prehistoric cultures of northeastern Arkansas. The Parkin Mound is what is left of an American Indian village believed by archaeologists to have been visited by Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto in 1541. Take the archaeological site walking tour, enjoy audiovisual programs, workshops, site tours, educational programs and more. Remnants of Native American culture are also visible at the Sloan Site further north along the byway near Paragould, which was home and burial ground for a small group of Native Americans who lived there approximately 10,500 years ago.

Ready for Fun at Lake Poinsett State Park (AR) [4]

Looking for an adventure in the great outdoors? Try one of several state parks on the byway. Village Creek, Lake Frierson, Crowley's Ridge and Lake Poinsett State Parks, all in Arkansas, offer a variety of recreational features including shaded campgrounds, boat rentals, and acres of water to fish at their beautiful lakes. Catch a bucket full of bass, bream or catfish, and fry up a feast before you camp underneath the boughs of tall shade trees. Near the northern end of the byway in Missouri, admire more of the plant life of Crowley's Ridge on the hiking and biking paths of Jim Morris State Park.

Firing the Cannon (AR) [5]

Head to the Arkansas/Missouri border on the byway and discover fascinating history at Chalk Bluff Battlefield Park. Once a thriving town that grew up around the ferry that crossed the St. Francis River, Chalk Bluff became home to a Civil War battle, when Confederate General Marmaduke attempted to take his army across the river. Pursued by the Union Army, he retreated, and many soldiers lost their lives. Today, you can walk around the battle site and learn more about it through the informational markers there.

Sand Boils at Beachwell Gullies [6]

While only fourteen miles long, the Missouri stretch of Crowley's Ridge Parkway plays host to interesting landforms, such as the chalk white cliffs at Chalk Bluff Park or the sand dunes and ancient sea shells found at the Beachwell Gullies, evidence that this inland region was once part of a vast ocean. This part of the Ridge is now home to over 800 acres of peach orchards. Fruit stands line the byway, filled with Missouri peaches from May to September.

Grave of Billy DeMint, Jr. (MO) [7]

Travel a few miles north past Campbell, Missouri to see the grave of Billy DeMint, who was murdered during the Civil War by Confederate guerrillas after he bravely refused to disclose where his father was. Legend states the boy was only 10 years old when he was hanged. Check out the Charles and Betty Birthright House in Clarkton, just a couple miles east of Campbell. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009, the Birthright Home commemorates the lives of two prominent African-Americans who largely contributed to their community through education and church donations, and by giving out loans for farming. After exploring the Birthright House, visit the town of Malden at the very end of the byway to learn about local history and heroes at the Malden Historical Museum. Admire the elegant fashions and furnishings of early days, read about local military history, and wonder at the artifacts of the Dennis Collection of Egyptian Antiquities, donated by relatives of lawyer James Teackle Dennis, who was a translator and artist on archaeological expeditions to Egypt in the early 1900s. Don’t forget about the Bootheel Youth Museum, also in Malden, where kids of all ages can learn interactively about outer space, nature, science, history and more.

Calm Waters on Crowley's Ridge (MO) [8]

Crowley's Ridge offers an intriguing taste of the culture and history of the South. Take a trip on the byway and visit sites of Civil War tragedies, desperate battles, ancient civilizations and more as you wind your way through the forests, fields and small towns of Crowley's Ridge Scenic Byway in Arkansas and Missouri.