The confluence of the St. Francis River and the Mississippi makes the river landscape of Phillips County especially vivid: It is located in Mississippi River State Park, as are the Storm Creek Lake Recreation Area and access points to Hornor Neck Lake and the St. Francis River. The park also provides access to St. Francis National Forest. There, the Mississippi, Crowley’s Ridge, and the Arkansas Delta come together in the landscape.
Rivers, Ridges, and Expansive Views
At Battery C Park, the perspective shifts: From Crowley’s Ridge, the view extends far across downtown Helena and the Mississippi. Different landscape impressions take center stage: the confluence and named water access points at Mississippi River State Park, and the view from above over the city and river at Battery C Park.
Music History at the Delta Cultural Center
The Delta Cultural Center is located in historic downtown Helena and focuses on the history of the Arkansas Delta. Part of this history can be heard: In the Delta Sounds exhibit area, listening stations tell the story of the region’s musical heritage. Other exhibits introduce influential figures from gospel, rockabilly, and blues.
King Biscuit Time also connects music history with a regular broadcast schedule. The radio show first aired on KFFA-AM on November 21, 1941. It is broadcast from the Delta Cultural Center Monday through Friday, from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. The historic date and the current broadcast time offer two different reference points: the show’s start and its present-day schedule.
Places of Remembrance and Collections
Freedom Park is located on the site of a former Civil War camp for escaped slaves. Five exhibits share their experiences: People came to Helena seeking freedom and the opportunity to shape their own lives. The site thus focuses on the life journeys of those who escaped.
Fort Curtis offers a different way to explore history. The reconstruction is a three-quarter-scale replica of the original fort and can be explored on a self-guided visit. Guided tours can be requested; they depend on staff availability.
Centennial Baptist Church is of national significance because of its connection with Dr. Elias Camp Morris. Morris served as pastor there from 1879 until his death in 1922. The Helena Museum of Phillips County is associated with an 1891 building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its collection ranges from early paintings and a Thomas Edison collection to materials about Indigenous populations and letters from General Lafayette and General Robert E. Lee. It also includes Civil War objects, a diorama of the Battle of Helena, and a bronze statue of General Patrick Cleburne.
Exploring the Delta Heritage Trail
Delta Heritage Trail State Park offers different ways to explore the landscape. The Pedal & Paddle tour includes a bike ride from Barton to Lake View—about 10 miles one way—followed by kayaking on Old Town Lake. In addition, 74.1 miles of trail have been completed to date.
One specific northern section runs from Lake View to Elaine: This 8.4-mile rail trail has a surface of finely crushed gravel. The figures refer to different measures: 74.1 miles is the total trail distance completed to date, while 8.4 miles is the named section between Lake View and Elaine.
A Look at Distilling
In downtown Helena, Delta Dirt Distillery offers a behind-the-scenes tour of its distillation process. The Williams family behind the distillery has farmed land in Phillips County for four generations. The family story thus adds a regional agricultural context to the look at how the spirits are made.
Explore more destinations: West Helena, Sharp County, White County, Chicot County, Baxter County, Mississippi County, Sevier County, Franklin County.
For the broader travel overview: Arkansas.
