Pulaski County: Wetlands, Trails and History

Wetlands, waterways and historic sites shape the landscape of Pulaski County. The Cache River State Natural Area extends across Johnson, Massac and Pulaski counties. Its wetlands have been designated a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you’ll find different ways to experience the landscape here on foot, by bicycle or on the water.

Wetlands and Trails

The Cache River State Natural Area offers opportunities for hiking, biking, canoeing and fishing. Seasonal hunting programs are subject to the applicable seasonal regulations and conditions. It’s also worth taking a closer look at the length, difficulty and scenery of the hiking trails: they vary considerably in distance and in what you can see along the way.

The easy Todd Fink-Heron Pond Trail is 1.5 miles long. It crosses the Cache River over a truss bridge and continues along a floating walkway into Heron Pond. Conditions on this trail can vary by season. The moderate Little Black Slough Trail is longer at 5.5 miles and passes through cypress-tupelo swamps, past sandstone bluffs, and through bottomland forests and hillside clearings; trail conditions here can also change seasonally.

The Cypress Pond Trail is 1.15 miles long, and the Hickory Bottoms Trail is 1.69 miles long. Both are moderate and open to pedestrians year-round. The Cypress Pond Trail passes through mature bottomland forest and wetlands. The Hickory Bottoms Trail offers views of the Cache River swamps, limestone outcrops and springs; it also includes boardwalk sections through bottomland forest. The Lower Cache River Swamp Trail is 2.5 miles long and follows Cypress Creek and the Cache River to a cypress-tupelo swamp. Flooding can affect conditions on this trail.

Trail lengths range from 1.15 miles on the Cypress Pond Trail to 5.5 miles on the Little Black Slough Trail. In between are the Todd Fink-Heron Pond Trail, the Hickory Bottoms Trail and the Lower Cache River Swamp Trail. Along with the listed difficulty levels and scenery, these details offer practical guidance for choosing hikes that fit your travel plans.

By Bicycle and on the Water

The Tunnel Hill State Trail leads to Karnak in Pulaski County. Parking is available there for hikers, runners and cyclists accessing the trail. Check local parking access conditions before you go.

The Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge has two boat ramps providing access to an old channel of the Cache River. You can canoe through Eagle Pond and see bald cypress trees estimated to be about 800 years old. Among the trees is one with more than 200 knees. Water levels and boating conditions vary; check access conditions and any restrictions before setting out.

Historic Sites and Nature Exhibits

The Rawlings House in Mound City was built of lumber brought downstream from Louisville, Kentucky, by Moses M. Rawlings in 1854. The building formerly served as a general store, post office, hotel and barracks for the troops guarding the Mound City Navy Depot. Its changing uses offer a glimpse into the house’s history without requiring a visit inside.

Mound City National Cemetery is in Pulaski County, about one mile from Mound City. It is open for visits daily from dawn to dusk. The Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center features exhibits on the cultural and natural history of the Cache River watershed. The grounds also include a 2,600-foot accessible trail with a wildlife viewing mound at a restored wetland along the old Cypress Creek bed. The center has temporary public opening hours; check visiting hours before arriving. Trail operating conditions may also change.

Choosing a Hotel to Fit Your Travel Plans

When searching for a hotel in Pulaski County, you can first consider whether hiking trails and wetlands, activities on the water or cultural and historic sites are the focus of your stay. This can help you choose a base that fits your travel plans without assuming specific distances or driving times.

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