Faulkner County
Kenny Vernon Nature Trail on Bell Slough WMA
- From Interstate 40 Exit 135 at Mayflower, turn south on Interstate Drive, immediately east of the exit.
- Continue on Interstate Drive past Gibson Bridge Road and over Palarm Creek, to Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area (1.5 miles total). Turn left into the parking area.
Quick Facts
Maps
Important Numbers
Faulkner County EMS
911
Faulkner County Sheriff’s Office
501-450-4914
AGFC Russellville Regional Office
833-356-0879
Wildlife Hotline
833-345-0398
Distances
Round trip around outer loop – 2.25 miles
North Loop – 1.75 miles
South Loop – 1.3 miles
The 2.25-mile trail is named for Kenny Vernon, an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologist who was instrumental in its creation. It has a crushed shale surface and few elevation changes.
Bell Slough (pronounced “slew”) is usually shallow but seasonal floods cover low-lying parts of the trail. Bell Slough WMA includes upland pine-hardwood forests, bottomland hardwood forests, and cypress-tupelo lakes and sloughs.
Hunters come to these 2,040 acres to pursue waterfowl, turkey, deer, rabbit and squirrel. Wildlife watchers enjoy migrating waterfowl that visit the rest area during winter. The best time to see songbirds is during springs and fall migrations.
If you’re a hunter, realize that others may be here to photograph or view wildlife. If you’re a wildlife watcher, educate yourself about hunting seasons, and wear hunter orange when seasons are open.
Nearby Grassy Lake Water Trail offers additional scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Nearby Palarm Creek is a good place to catch crappie and catfish. Lake Conway also offers crappie, catfish, largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish. Check the current Arkansas Fishing Guidebook for details.
Bowhunting for deer and squirrel hunting are popular on the WMA along with other small game, turkey and waterfowl. Furbearer trapping is permissible on the WMA. Check the current Arkansas Hunting Guidebook for details and wear hunter orange when appropriate. Leash pets for their safety.