Hike This Ancient Forest In Arkansas That’s Home To 800-Year-Old Trees
By Carol Ann Carson|Published December 15, 2018
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
Arkansas certainly lives up to its name of “The Natural State.” Over 50 percent of the state is covered in forest, which does include the largest national forest (the Ouachita) in the South. One little corridor of forest in the Delta is home to 800-year-old trees as well as the biggest tree in the state: the Champion Cypress Tree. Let’s head to the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge to explore a small part of the Big Woods.
You'll find some of the oldest trees in Arkansas within the Big Woods.
The half a million acres of forest are but a small piece of the original eight million acres that once thrived along the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. The ancient forest is filled with interesting spots and trails but we have a particular place in mind for today's hike.
Part of the ancient forest can be accessed in the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge.
The refuge is an underrated treasure that you may have missed if you're not an avid hunter. In addition to hunting grounds, the refuge also has excellent trails for wildlife viewing and photography. This gem can be found at 57 S CC Camp Rd., St Charles, AR 72140.
The tree's age has been estimated to be between 800-1000 years old. Regardless of its specific age, it's incredible to stand beneath it and imagine how it survived so long. This giant managed to outwit logging companies and be lucky enough to miss any disease or natural disaster. The trail is a fairly easy trip that takes about an hour to explore. For more information on navigating the trail, use this link.
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You'll feel extraordinary small once you've reached the Champion Tree.
The bald cypress is over 120-ft. tall and has a circumference of about 44-ft. The "knees" of the bald cypress are upwards of six feet; so, in other words, you'll literally be knee-high to the tree.
This ancient forest is a beautiful living example of Arkansas history.
It's unfortunate that only a small portion of the Big Woods remain but it's reassuring to know this land is well protected by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
We would love to see your photos of this area in our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
Another ancient forest to stroll is this one that’s right out of a storybook.
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