The best walks and hikes around West Memphis

Yes, many of the parks and trails in the area are welcoming to dogs on a leash. A great option is Wolf River Greenway, a well-maintained and popular paved path. For a more expansive experience with varied trails, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is a highly-regarded choice, offering thousands of acres for you and your dog to explore.

The West Memphis area is great for family outings. For a unique experience, the Mississippi River Walk loop on Mud Island is a fun, short walk. Another excellent choice is Village Creek State Park, which features the Big Ben Nature Trail, a gentle half-mile loop perfect for little legs. The park also has playgrounds and picnic areas.

The region specializes in paved trails. The Big River Trail offers a 7-mile paved loop through the Mississippi River floodplain with fantastic views. For another well-regarded option, the Shelby Farms Greenline is a long, paved path that's a local favorite for walking and cycling, connecting different parts of the area through pleasant scenery.

Yes, you have several excellent options. Village Creek State Park, set on the unique Crowley's Ridge, offers over 30 miles of trails through forested hills. For a different landscape, Mississippi River State Park provides trails through hardwood forests and along the river itself. Both parks offer a great escape into nature just a short drive from the city.

For impressive skyline views, the Big River Crossing is unmatched. This pedestrian bridge offers a panoramic perspective of the Mississippi River with the Memphis skyline as a backdrop. The trails within Ducks Unlimited Park and along the Big River Trail also provide stunning viewpoints of the city from across the water.

The Big River Crossing is the longest public pedestrian bridge across the Mississippi River, connecting West Memphis, Arkansas, to Memphis, Tennessee. The crossing itself is nearly a mile long. It's a central feature of the local trail system and offers incredible views.

For a more primitive adventure, consider visiting the St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area. Created by the New Madrid Earthquakes, this area features a unique landscape of channels and ridges with bottomland hardwood forests. It's an excellent spot for wildlife viewing in a less-developed setting. You can find more information at Arkansas Heritage.

There are over 15 designated hiking routes in the immediate vicinity of West Memphis. These range from short, paved city walks to longer trails in nearby state parks, offering a good variety for different fitness levels and interests.

The trails around West Memphis are well-regarded by the komoot community, holding an average rating of 3.9 stars. Hikers often praise the accessibility of the paved riverfront paths and the beautiful, expansive views of the Mississippi River and the Memphis skyline.

Yes, parking is generally available. The Big River Trailhead in West Memphis provides access and parking for the Big River Crossing and associated trails. Major parks like Village Creek State Park and Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park also have designated parking areas near their trailheads and visitor centers.

The diverse habitats support a variety of wildlife. In wetland areas like Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, you can see waterfowl, wading birds, and bald eagles. In the forests of Village Creek and Meeman-Shelby, you might spot white-tailed deer, turkeys, and a wide array of songbirds. The entire region is a key corridor for migratory birds.