Snow Lake to Yancopin is the most diverse section of the whole Delta Heritage Trail. In 14.4 miles you cross the White and Arkansas rivers, pass multiple lakes, and roll over pristine gravel and smooth concrete. It's also one of the best stretches on the trail for wildlife with opportunities for birding, bears, and even gators (oh my)!
This post is all about one section, but of course you can plan your own route and check out the amenities along the trail by going to deltaheritagetrail.com.
The Benzal Bridge over the White River
The Ride at a Glance
Start & End - Snow Lake Trailhead
Total Distance - About 29 miles out and back
Alligator Pond - Mile 8.8
Benzal Bridge (White River) - Mile 9
Yancopin Bridge (Arkansas River) - Mile 13.1
Surface - Crushed gravel & concrete
Best Season - Great all year thanks to the well developed surfaces, but best in the Spring if you’re into birding.
Riding over the “Hole in the Wall” Lake
The Route
No other stretch of the Delta Heritage Trail packs in this much variety. Riding south from Snow Lake, here's how it unfolds:
Miles 0 to 9: Snow Lake to the White River. Leave the Snow Lake Trailhead heading southwest. This is the longest stretch of the ride, on long, straight runs of old rail bed past lakes and ponds. Keep an eye on the water.
Mile 8.8: the alligator pond. Just before the Benzal Bridge, slow down and turn right at the fork. You’ll see an old rusty car. Scan the ponds near the base of the bridge. Even if you don’t see the gator, you’ll have a fantastic view of the bridge and a chance to see the rotary railcar dumper at the end of this trail.
Mile 9: the Benzal Bridge over the White River. At 0.95 miles long, it's the longest bridge on this section, and it's built for bikes and feet now.
Miles 10 to 13: between the rivers. After the White River, the trail bends south through the strip of land between the two rivers. This section features some excellent birding opportunities and a variety of landscapes changing between swamp, lake, forest, and rivers
Mile 13.1: the Yancopin Bridge over the Arkansas River. It's the second big-river crossing of the day, and about three-quarters of a mile long.
Mile 14.4: the Yancopin Trailhead. Turn around here for about 29 miles out and back, or have a ride waiting.
The resident gator catching some rays.
Accommodation & Travel Plans
At the time of writing this post, there are camper cabins currently in progress of being built at the Yancopin trailhead, with an expected opening in early 2027. Until then there aren’t really any camping or accommodation options on this section of trail. I recommend that you either stay the night in Helena or McGehee and then drive to either Snow Lake or Yancopin, depending on where you stay.
Here’s some footage from one section of that trail to give you an idea of the landscape.