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PROTECTED PROPERTIES

Flint Creek Headwaters Preserve

Flint Creek Map-01.jpg

County: Benton

Size: 67 Acres

Date Conserved: 2017

Open to public

Peach Blossom Lane & HWY 12 in Springtown, Arkansas

 

About the Preserve

Conservation-minded landowners, Mr. John Wasson and his family, donated 67 acres of habitat along Flint Creek in Springtown, Arkansas beginning in 2016. The property and surrounding parcels were in the Wasson family for generations. Mr. Wasson learned to swim in the cool deep pools and by jumping from limestone outcroppings that border the stream.

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Mr. Wasson and his family donated the property to the land trust to ensure that it would remain undeveloped and made available to residents of and visitors to Springtown for many more generations to come.

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In accordance with Mr. Wasson’s wishes, the land trust manages the preserve to allow public access for “quiet pedestrian and educational” use, while ensuring the protection and proper stewardship of wildlife habitat on the property.

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Due to its conservation value, this property ranked highly in the Northwest Arkansas Open Space Plan for Benton County. The property includes a wooded riparian buffer along Flint Creek, which is a tributary of the Illinois River. Riparian corridors protect water quality by slowing runoff and preventing excessive streambank erosion. They also provide habitat to a wide variety of plants and animals and serve as important migration corridors for wildlife to move between habitat areas.​​

The Ozark Cave Fish, a species listed as federally threatened occurs in a small cave on the preserve. Don’t try to find the cave though, the entrance is tiny and nearly impossible to get into! The land trust is working to restore additional riparian and pollinator habitat throughout the property.

 

Flint Creek Headwaters Preserve is located between 2 significant Civil War sites in Springtown. The Battle of Springtown occurred on July 20, 1862, just a mile west of the property. A group of Eleventh Kansas Cavalry came upon a group of former Confederate soldiers. 6 Union soldiers and 1 Confederate soldier were killed. The Union soldiers were buried near the site. The Eleventh Kansas Calvary were camped at Camp Moonlight in 1863 just a few miles east of the preserve.

 

Location & Access

The parking area for Flint Creek Headwaters Preserve is on Peach Blossom Lane, just south of the intersection of HWY 12 and Springtown Cutoff Rd. Depending on your mapping service, it is either listed as Springtown or Gentry, AR.  There is a trailhead kiosk and gravel parking area for 4 cars.

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Trails

There is currently a .5-mile trail beginning at the parking area. This trail goes west to Flint Creek and then heads north, going under the HWY 12 bridge and meandering next to the creek through riparian forest. There are several places to access the creek and swimming and wading are encouraged! Please use caution under the bridge as the trail is unimproved and includes a short scramble over rocks. Please avoid this area during high water. Trail may be impassible during large rain events and after flooding. Another .14-mile trail spurs from Wasson Trail just down the path from the parking area. This trail is on an old railroad bed and offers nice views overlooking Flint Creek. All trails are easy hiking, except for a short scramble through rocks under the bridge. That section can easily be waded though.

 

Things to See

  • Enjoy a quiet walk next to Flint Creek and wade in its cool clear waters on a hot summer day.

  • Birds- Flint Creek hosts dozens of species of migratory songbirds in spring and late summer. Bald Eagles, Osprey, and herons are frequently seen along the creek.

  • Native Plants and Wildlife- Northwest Arkansas Land Trust land stewards are currently restoring sections of the property to native wildflowers and grasses for birds and pollinators. Cottontail rabbits and deer are frequently spotted on the preserve. Flint Creek is home to several species of crayfish and small stream fishes. 

 

Rules & Regs

  • Open dawn to dusk.

  • Enter at your own risk.

  • In case of emergency, dial 911..

  • Foot traffic only; no bikes or motorized vehicles

  • Please clean up after your pets.

  • Creek wading allowed.

  • Do not feed or disturb wildlife.

  • No collecting of plants, flowers or other natural elements.

  • Unauthorized fishing and trapping prohibited.

  • No camping or campfires.

  • Pack out what you pack in; leave no trace.

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