Part Of Bear Creek Trail Closed Until November

The Arkansas State Parks trail crew closed the first six-mile portion of Bear Creek Trail within Daisy State Park near Kirby for improvements today. Officials say the work should be finished by early November.

This six-mile section from the park to Kirby Landing is the roughest and most challenging part of the 18-mile trail, due to steep inclines and eroded areas. Arkansas State Parks Planning and Development Section, Daisy State Park, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Greeson park managers have been working for more than a year to determine the best way to make repairs and establish a safer route.

“I’m excited about this project getting underway.” said Park Superintendent Tamara Lunsford in a press release. “We have visitors who come to the park to ride this trail because there are not a lot of trails open to the public that are designed specifically for ATVs. I anticipate this project will make our frequent visitors very happy and attract new visitors to the park.”

Improvements will include a new trailhead parking area at Daisy State Park and a new re-routed section from the trailhead that will connect with the current trail between Daisy State Park and Kirby Landing. The rest of the 18-mile trail from Kirby Landing to Bear Creek Recreation Area and ending near Rough Branch will remain open and unaffected by the trail project.