Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail – 1 mi

Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Wooden footbridge on the Wells Lake Trail.

Wells Lake Trail is a pleasant and easy .7-mile ADA-accessible trail at Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center in Barling (near Fort Smith, Sebastian County).

It makes a loop around Wells Lake, a popular fishing spot.

The nature center, operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, encompasses 170 acres and features a number of short trails. It is on land that was formerly part of Fort Chaffee.

Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
There are beautiful views of the lake on the Wells Lake Trail.  (Panoramic.)

Getting to Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center

To get to the nature center from Interstate 40, take Exit 7 to get onto I-540 heading south toward Fort Smith. After about 8 miles, take the Rogers Avenue (Exit 88) exit heading east.

After about 1.5 miles, turn right (south) onto Massard Road. After about 4 miles, take a left onto Wells Lake Road. The nature center will be on the left within a half-mile.

The nature center parking is accessible whenever the center is open. (See website for open hours.) If the center is not open, you usually can park over by the nearby picnic area.

Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
One of the water crossings on the Wells Lake Trail.

The Wells Lake Trail

Most of the ADA-compliant trail is paved. It is just about 100 feet on the other side of the nature center building.

About a third of the trail is wooded. The rest has wide open views of the lake.

Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Panoramic shot from the east side of Wells Lake.

Most of the time there are Canada geese at the lake.

Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
The nature center building. It faces the south end of the lake.

Be sure to visit the nature center building when you visit. It has a very nice exhibits about the living creatures that make their home in this area.

There is no charge to visit the nature center.

Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
There are several information signs on the Wells Lake Trail.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Most of the west part of the trail is wooded.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
A view of the lake from the mostly wooded west side of the trail.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Wells Lake Trail, Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
The lake is a popular spot for geese. (Panoramic.)
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
View from the east side of the lake. Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center (Panoramic.)
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Wells Lake Trail, Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Wooded area on the west side of the Wells Lake Trail.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Fishing pier on Wells Lake.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
This water crossing at the southeast end of the trail is also a popular fishing spot.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
On the east side of the Wells Lake Trail, Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center.

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery.


Map

Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Wells Lake Trail Contour Map (Click to Enlarge.)
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Elevation profile based on gps data.
Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail - 1 mi photo
Janet Huckabee Center Trail Map (Click for official pdf map.)

Janet Huckabee Center: Wells Lake Trail – 1 mi

LocationJanet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, Sebastian County, Arkansas
Length/Type.7 mile paved loop
DifficultyEasy (1 of 5)
Gpx file (by Mike)Link
Date HikedNovember 20, 2016 (and many other times)
DirectionsGoogle Maps Directions to Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center
Official Info (Links) (479)452-3993 Website Park Trail Flyer (pdf)

Last revised: 8-22-2021.

By Mike Newman

Mike Newman, editor and creator of Arklahoma Hiker, likes to day hike and walk outdoors in Arkansas and Oklahoma.

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