Urban Creek Guide

Why creeks?

When it rains, water that is not soaked into the ground becomes stormwater runoff. Runoff finds its way downhill initially to creeks. Creeks then merge to form larger creeks or streams, then rivers, until eventually they meet the ocean. Creeks provide a great source of passive recreation like wading, walking, birding, and enjoying nature. 

Tips:

• Safety first. Some creeks could be high and fast-moving after rain. Use caution and check for warnings before going. Some streams have real-time gauges that can be checked at USGS WaterWatch.
• Obey park rules. Following rules on posted signage helps keep you and others safe, and keeps the sites open and available to everyone.
• Bring a bag to collect trash. While some litter can come from the people recreating before you, plenty of litter in our creeks and streams comes from our streets and parking lots when it rains. In Arkansas, storm drains lead to creeks.
• Look under rocks for benthics. Benthic Macroinvertebrates are insects that live on the bottom of streams and are indicators of water quality because they cannot escape pollution. More benthics of different species indicate a healthy stream.
• Leave no trace. Follow leave no trace principles like disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of others.
• Wear sandals or water shoes. Rocks on the bottom of creeks can be slippery or sharp.

Tanyard Creek

Access Point: Tanyard Creek Nature Trail, Bella Vista

Best for: Scenery

Route to Ocean: Tanyard Creek → Little Sugar Creek → Elk River → Neosho River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

The Tanyard Creek Nature Trail has many spots to dip your toes in Tanyard Creek. The waterfall, which is fed by Lake Windsor, is worth the short hike.

Blowing Springs

Access Point: Blowing Springs, Bella Vista

Best for: Date Night

Route to Ocean: Little Sugar Creek → Elk River → Neosho River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Follow Blowing Springs Rd to the Gear Garden to find this beautiful and cold spring. With food trucks, a beer garden, and live music, it’s a popular place on nights and weekends.

McKisic Creek "Blue Hole"

Access Point: Wishing Springs Trail parking on NW Wishing Springs Dr, Bentonville

Best for: Swimming

Route to Ocean: McKisic Creek → Little Sugar Creek → Elk River → Neosho River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Blue Hole is a popular swimming hole complete with gravel bar and a rope swing. Get there early to claim your spot at the deep blue hole, or venture downstream for more space.

Park Springs

Access Point: Park Springs Park, Bentonville

Best for: Cold water

Route to Ocean: Black Apple Creek → Town Branch Creek → McKisic Creek →Little Sugar Creek → Elk River → Neosho River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Park Springs Park is close to downtown Bentonville and has a history as a former hotel and resort spot. The springs pump out cold, refreshing water, and the creek is home to many critters and mosses. Be mindful of mountain bikers riding through on the trail.

Coler Creek

Access Point: Coler Mountain Bike Preserve

Best for: Taking a dip after a bike ride

Route to Ocean: Coler Creek → McKisic Creek → Little Sugar Creek → Elk River → Neosho River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Coler Mountain Bike Preserve has many access points to spread out and enjoy the creek. The park has extra parking lots to accommodate visitors looking to bike, walk, or wade in the creek. Frequent signage along the trail provides educational opportunities. Bring your walking shoes and wallet to experience Airship Coffee along the trail.

McKisic Creek

Access Point: McKissic Springs Station Park, Centerton

Best for: A picnic

Route to Ocean: McKisic Creek → Little Sugar Creek → Elk River → Neosho River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

McKisic Creek at McKissic Springs Park is a shallow and slow-moving creek with easy access to dip your toes in. There are lots of cool rocks and shells on the creek bottom to look at.

Lake Atalanta

Access Point: Lake Atalanta Park, Rogers

Best for:  Ecological design

Route to Ocean: Prairie Creek → Beaver Lake → White River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Frisco and Diamond Springs feed into Lake Atalanta, a 37 acre lake with a boardwalk and fishing piers. The creek portion is easy access from the parking lots and several constructed pools are great for catching tadpoles. The park has green infrastructure elements like permeable pavers, that work to soak in stormwater, decreasing runoff volume.

 

Osage Creek

Access Point: Horsebarn Park, Rogers

Best for: Kids

Route to Ocean: Osage Creek → Illinois River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Shallow water at Horsebarn Park makes this creek an easy and accessible spot for you and your kids to dip your toes in the water.

Spring Creek

Access point: Lake Springdale Trailhead, Springdale

Best for: Wildlife

Route to Ocean: Spring Creek → Osage Creek → Illinois River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Take the footpath to the side of the bridge to wade in Spring Creek. Over the bridge is a nice walking trail and fishing on Lake Springdale.

Sager Creek

Access Point: Bob Henry Park, Siloam Springs

Best for: A walk along the creek

Route to Ocean: Sager Creek → Flint Creek → Illinois River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Sager Creek runs through historic downtown Siloam Springs and provides a picturesque view to three city parks: Twin Springs Park, City Park, and Bob Henry Park. Listen to the babbling creek while strolling along the Dogwood Springs Walking Trail or doing some downtown shopping.

Clear Creek

Access Point: Nature Preserve on Main St in Johnson

Best for: Skipping rocks

Route to Ocean: Clear Creek → Illinois River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Enjoy a short walk through a restored prairie to get to this access point. This creek site is clear and quiet most days and is great for skipping rocks or bringing your dog for a swim. The creek bank has a slight slope at the access point and could be less accessible for some.

Niokaska Creek

Access Point: Gulley Park, Fayetteville

Best for: Easy access into creek

Route to Ocean: Niokaska Creek → Mud Creek → Scull Creek → Clear Creek → Illinois River → Arkansas River →Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

Niokaska Creek runs through one of Fayetteville’s most popular parks, Gulley Park. Creek access is easy with rock steps down the creek banks and close to the parking lot off Township. With plenty of shade and big rocks to sit on, this creek is very inviting.

Tanglewood Branch

Access Point: Lower Ramble, Fayetteville

Best for: Community events

Route to Ocean: Tanglewood Branch → Town Branch → West Fork of White River → Beaver Lake → White River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

This recently restored site at the Lower Ramble has history, architecture, native plants, and a beautiful inviting creek. This creek leads to Beaver Lake, the drinking water source to 1 in 5 Arkansans.

Farmington Branch

Access Point: Creekside Park, Farmington

Best for: Quiet

Route to Ocean: Farmington Branch → Goose Creek → Illinois River → Arkansas River → Mississippi River → Gulf of Mexico

This creek is almost fully shaded and home to lots of fish and critters. The park has a nice, paved walking trail and is a nice place to bring your dog. Away from the main I-49 corridor, this park is great for a little quiet time.  

Want to participate in a creek cleanup?

Get News and Event Updates

Help us protect our waterways!

• 10 Things You Can Do