Lonoke County: Prairie, Nature and History

Prairie, wetlands and archaeological traces offer several ways to explore Lonoke County. Prairie Bayou WMA covers 453 acres in the southeastern part of the county, south of Carlisle, and is part of the Grand Prairie Ecosystem. Areas of Cypress Bayou WMA lie in northern Lonoke County. Visitors looking to combine nature experiences with a stay in the region will find varied landscapes and activities in these areas.

Landscapes and Fishing Opportunities

A large part of Cypress Bayou WMA was replanted with various hardwood species in the early 1990s. Beside the parking area on Arkansas Highway 31, there is a six-acre pond offering fishing for bream, catfish and bass. Since access conditions can change, it is worth checking them before a fishing trip. Public fishing is available at Tommy L. Sproles Lake Pickthorne in Holland Bottoms WMA. The two locations offer different considerations for planning: Cypress Bayou centers on a small pond with several named fish species, while Holland Bottoms offers access to the named lake.

Prairie Bayou WMA also combines the landscape with distinctive recreational opportunities. These include training dogs for rabbit hunting; applicable regulations may change. At Railroad Prairie Natural Area, prairie, herbaceous wetlands and forests meet. Much of the area consists of tallgrass prairie. It also includes sections of the abandoned route of the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad along U.S. Highway 70 between Carlisle and DeValls Bluff. Birdwatching is a recreational activity there; possible sightings vary by season.

Trails and an Archaeological Landscape

At Plum Bayou Mounds Archeological State Park, the Knapp Trail is 0.8 miles long, fully paved and accessible under ADA standards. Trail conditions may change; check them before your visit. The ceremonial center at Plum Bayou Mounds has a striking landscape boundary in Mound Lake, an oxbow lake: the lake still forms its fourth side. The trail and landscape thus go together when finding your way around the site.

The archaeological history reaches far back. The Plum Bayou people inhabited the Plum Bayou Mounds site from approximately 650 to 1050 AD. Visitors exploring the site can consider the paved trail and this historical timeframe as two distinct ways of understanding the area: one describes a present-day trail, the other the site's earlier occupation.

Lonoke: History and Places to Visit

Lonoke is home to Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery, the largest public warmwater fish hatchery of its kind in the United States. Its Lee Brady Visitor Center features aquariums and specimens of native species; exhibits may change. The facility's history began near Lonoke in early 1928. It was initially called Lonoke Fish Hatchery before being renamed in honor of Joe Hogan in 1956. If you plan to make the Visitor Center a fixed part of your itinerary, check current visitor information in advance.

The Lonoke County Museum and Genealogical Research Center is located on Southeast Front Street and preserves an archive of the newspaper The Lonoke Democrat. The Lonoke County Museum features a diorama of the town in the late 19th century and a recreation of a pioneer town. The Lonoke County Museum has a map collection spanning two centuries. The different subjects offer different perspectives: the newspaper archive and maps are sources on the past, while the diorama and recreation bring history to life.

Lonoke's historic residential district can be explored on a walking tour using a smartphone or printed maps. The homes in the district are listed on the National Register of Historic Places; access to individual homes varies. Since the availability of maps may change, check in advance if you plan to make the tour a fixed part of your itinerary. Lonoke is accessible by road via Highway 70.

Trails, Parks and Events

A walking and running trail in Lonoke was built on a former railroad right-of-way. It is lit and runs east to Lonoke Ballpark. Lonoke Ball Park offers baseball and softball programs for all ages every spring. If you want to plan your trip around a specific program, check the latest schedule. City Park and Waggoner Park also offer specific places to visit: both have accessible playgrounds, picnic pavilions and fitness trails.

The Lonoke County Fair, featuring a livestock show at the Lonoke County Fairgrounds, is held annually; in 2026, it will be held for the 86th time. Lawn mower racing is also part of the fair. Check event dates when planning a visit. You can choose the focus that suits your trip from among nature areas, historic sites, trails and seasonal programs.

Discover more destinations: Lonoke, Cabot, Pope County, Jefferson County, Franklin County, Columbia County, Greene County, Lawrence County.

For the broader travel overview: Arkansas.