Railroad Prairie Natural Area on the Land Conservation Assistance Network

Railroad Prairie Natural Area
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last updated: June 2022

Railroad Prairie Natural Area, Prairie and Lonoke Counties, occupies portions of the abandoned right-of-way of the former Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific railroad along U.S. Highway 70 between Carlisle and DeValls Bluff. Its long, linear shape encompasses a variety of habitats and communities including prairie, herbaceous wetland, and forest. A large portion of Railroad Prairie consists of tallgrass prairie, a habitat that was once much more common across the Grand Prairie of eastern Arkansas (Mississippi Alluvial Plain). Today, less than 1% of the prairies that occurred across this region remain. Parts of the prairie have been little disturbed and are dominated by grass species typical of tallgrass prairies such as big bluestem, little bluestem, and Indiangrass. Along with grasses, the natural area contains a diverse complement of forbs including narrow-leaved sunflower, long-bracted wild indigo, and butterfly weed. The natural area also provides critical habitat for several species now considered rare throughout the state.

Hunting
Specific types of hunting are allowed on this natural area. For details, see the current Arkansas Game and Fish Hunting Guidebook. Take all necessary safety precautions when visiting this area.

Directions
From Interstate 40 take the Carlisle exit (State Highway 13) and travel to the intersection with U.S. Highway 70. Turn left (east) on U.S. Highway 70. The prairie lies along the north right-of-way of Highway 70 beginning just east of Carlisle and extending to DeValls Bluff.

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Railroad Prairie Natural Area is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.