St. Francis National Forest covers roughly 20,946 acres in Lee County in the Arkansas Delta, making it one of the smallest proclaimed national forest units in the United States. It is administered as part of the combined Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, sharing management with the much larger Ozark section to the northwest. The contrast between the two sections is remarkable: the Ozark section covers mountain terrain above 2,000 feet, while the St. Francis section sits at barely 200 to 400 feet in the flat bottomlands of the Mississippi Alluvial Plain.
What the St. Francis unit lacks in size it compensates for in ecological distinctiveness. The forest protects a segment of Crowley's Ridge, a narrow loess ridge rising above the surrounding delta, and encompasses the Bear Creek Lake and Storm Creek Lake recreation areas, both managed for fishing and paddling in the bottomland hardwood forest setting.
Trails
The trail network is modest, reflecting the forest's small size and flat terrain. The Storm Creek Lake Trail loops around Storm Creek Lake through bottomland forest, a 2.8-mile walk suited to all fitness levels. The Bear Creek Lake Trail provides similar easy access around the larger of the two forest lakes.
The Crowley's Ridge Trail is the most topographically varied route in the unit, traversing the ridge slopes through the mixed hardwood forest that distinguishes the ridge from the surrounding delta lowlands. At 6 miles, it offers the best opportunity to experience the geological oddity of the ridge itself.
The Seven Devil Swamp Trail ventures into wetland bottomland terrain, providing access to the cypress and tupelo swamp ecosystems that characterize the lower St. Francis River drainage. This is the best trail in the forest for observing the swamp forest ecosystem and associated wildlife.
Wildlife
The St. Francis section sits within the Mississippi Flyway, one of the four major North American bird migration corridors. Waterfowl concentrations in the surrounding agricultural fields and wetlands during fall and winter migration can be substantial, and the forest provides important stopover habitat. Wood ducks nest in the bottomland forest throughout the warmer months. White-tailed deer, raccoon, beaver, and river otter are present throughout the unit. Alligators are present in some wetland areas; follow current USFS guidance and use caution near water. The Ivory-billed Woodpecker was historically recorded in the bottomland forests of this region; the status of this species remains scientifically unresolved.
Getting There
From Memphis, Tennessee, cross into West Memphis, Arkansas, on I-40 or I-55, then take US-70 or US-79 west toward Marianna, approximately 45 miles. From Marianna, the forest boundary and Bear Creek Lake are approximately 10 miles south on AR-44. The forest roads are generally passable for standard passenger vehicles except after heavy rain, when low-lying roads may flood. From Jonesboro, take US-49 south approximately 60 miles to Marianna, then continue to the forest.
Seasons
Spring (March through May): The best season for birding during migration and for wildflowers in the bottomland forest. Temperatures are mild and mosquitoes are manageable. This is the peak season for visitors.
Summer (June through August): Hot and humid, with temperatures regularly exceeding 95 degrees F and high humidity. Mosquitoes and biting insects are abundant. Fishing remains productive in the lakes. Dawn and dusk are the most comfortable times for outdoor activity.
Fall (September through November): Excellent conditions for hiking and paddling. Waterfowl migration begins in October and peaks in November and December. Fall color in the upland forest along Crowley's Ridge peaks in late October and early November.
Winter (December through February): The primary duck hunting season. The forest sees concentrated hunting pressure in December and January. Waterfowl viewing is best in winter mornings. Temperatures are cold but rarely severe.
Nearby
Marianna (population around 3,500) is the primary gateway community, with basic services and lodging. The town has declined significantly in population over recent decades, as have many Arkansas Delta communities, so services are more limited than in larger Arkansas cities. Helena-West Helena, about 25 miles to the south, is a historic Delta town with a small downtown and the King Biscuit Blues Festival venue. Memphis, Tennessee, is 45 miles east across the river and provides full metropolitan services and airport access. The Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the Mississippi River and connects several Delta communities in the region. See our dispersed camping guide for camping etiquette applicable in bottomland forest settings.
Planning and Resources
No permit is required for day hiking or dispersed camping in St. Francis National Forest (as of 2026). America the Beautiful passes cover applicable fee sites. Veterans and permanently disabled individuals may qualify for federal discount passes. The Ozark-St. Francis National Forests supervisor's office is located in Russellville, Arkansas; the local ranger district contact for St. Francis is in Marianna. The bottomland forest is a working landscape managed for a combination of timber, wildlife, and recreation; hunters and anglers are the primary traditional users of this forest. Non-hunters visiting during deer and duck seasons (October through January) should wear blaze orange on forest roads and trails. Waterfowl hunting in the oxbow lakes and river bottoms draws significant activity from November through late January. Practice Leave No Trace principles and review current conditions before any visit, particularly during periods of river flooding which can affect road and trail access throughout the forest.
