Green Heron Trail is a favorite of birders. Its shoreline view offers sightings of bald eagles and a variety of waterfowl. This trail starts at the DeGray Lake Resort State Park Visitor's Center, so parking is readily available. While there are no restrooms or water fountains along the trail, they are available at the visitor's center. This easy trail is kid-friendly. If taking your children, plan a few extra minutes for a quick tour of the visitor center. There are displays featuring local wildlife that everyone in the family will enjoy. Dogs are welcomed on the trail, but must be leashed at all times.
This trail is an easy, 3/4-mile trail with consistent elevation throughout. It's great for beginners, but even seasoned hikers will enjoy the views.
Green Heron Trail is a level walking experience good for hikers of all levels. The 3/4-mile trail loop has offshoots that create extra loops and spurs. Don't worry about getting lost; all trails lead back to the trailhead at the visitor's center.
This is DeGray Lake State Park's best trail for bird watching. The foliage variety draws them in. Even though the trail is less than a mile, it features bottomland hardwoods, upland hardwoods, and pine forest. The trail takes the hiker about 50 yards from the lake's shore, which provides a great chance to see waterfowl. Take your binoculars to use at the wildlife viewing station. The wooden structure allows you to climb to the top of the stand for a better view of the area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has also worked to help develop the wood duck population along Green Heron Trail. They put up the large gray wooden boxes seen along the trail to encourage wood duck nesting.
In addition to birds, keep an eye out for turtles, snakes, squirrels, and rabbits along the trail. The area is also part of the lake's disc golf course, so spotting a flying disc is not out of the question either.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park was created by the state of Arkansas after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dammed the Caddo River to create the lake for hydroelectric power. The state entered into an agreement with the USACE to develop recreation around the newly created lake. As the state's only resort state park, DeGray Lake Resort State Park was created to compete with similar resort state parks in neighboring states. The USACE completed the nine-year construction project in 1972. The state park was dedicated in April 1974 and a golf course, marina, campsites, and lodge were quickly added.
In its former life, the land surrounding Green Heron Trail was part of a dairy farm. While walking the trail, hikers will notice old road beds and decaying fences that were all part of the trail's past. An old cattle pond still exists on the property and is within viewing distance from the trail.
Named for one of the more common birds seen in the trail area, the Green Heron is a unique bird. They often use bait -- a piece of bread crust, a feather, or an insect -- to attract fish to the surface of the shallow areas along the lake's shore.
