WATCH: Entergy Park a popular local choice for hunting, hiking

Entergy Park has much to offer, including nearly 3 miles of trails. - Photo by Corbet Deary of The Sentinel-Record
Entergy Park has much to offer, including nearly 3 miles of trails. - Photo by Corbet Deary of The Sentinel-Record

Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary takes readers on a journey to Entergy Park.

Last week's article featured a beautifully maintained and well-designed trail system, beginning near downtown Hot Springs and meandering in the direction of the outskirts of town.

Well, this week's destination is also situated within the city limits and maintained by Hot Springs Parks and Trails staff. Only minutes from town, Entergy Park is nestled on the banks of Lake Hamilton, in the midst of a beautiful wooded setting.

This 30-acre facility is a popular choice for the locals, and for good reason. It has something to offer to folks with an array of interests. The only prerequisite to enjoying an outing at Entergy Park is a passion for the wonderful outdoors. And as gas prices soar with no end in sight, such locations that are literally minutes from our homes are becoming even better choices.

The facility sports an impressive trail system, consisting of nine short interconnecting loops, making up almost 3 miles of hiking and biking opportunities. But before we strike out along these routes, let's talk about what awaits at the heart of the property.

Those who visit the facility will immediately find themselves in a beautiful, well-groomed setting upon their arrival. Those who long for breaking bread in the midst of Mother Nature might find this spot of interest as a pavilion, equipped with a grill and picnic tables, is situated near the parking area and restrooms.

Yet another pavilion is situated within a stone's throw of another parking area and also overlooks the nearby pond.

Speaking of ponds, this small reservoir is stocked with native fish, lending to the opportunity for fishing enthusiasts to wet a hook while waiting on the dinner bell.

Video not playing? Click here https://www.youtube.com/embed/MEBfqMubUNc

Some folks visit the facility solely to try their hand at coaxing a few fish from these waters. And although fishing is welcomed around its perimeter, a wheelchair-accessible pier is located on the south side of the pond.

Two playgrounds are also situated close to the pavilions, providing parents with a means of allowing their youngsters to let off a little steam in the midst of an outdoor setting.

Now let's focus on the aforementioned trail system. We'll begin with the routes meandering within a stone's throw of the pond, pavilions and playgrounds.

The Playground Connector Trail is the shortest of all routes, consisting of only 0.1 miles. However, it does serve an important purpose, as the paved route provides those who are physically limited, or confined to wheelchairs the opportunity to strike out on a short journey. The trail also serves as an access to the aforementioned fishing pier.

The Wildlife Observation Trail is also paved and wheelchair accessible. Beginning at one parking area and ending at the parking area on the opposing side of the park, the route stretches 0.2 miles.

Those taking in this section of the trail might consider stopping and taking in the scenery from the Wildlife Observation Overlook. The structure is situated from where one can get a look at Lake Hamilton. And one should not be surprised if they happen to see squirrels and native birds going about their everyday rituals from within sight of the structure.

OK, now let strike out a little deeper into the wooded setting. The North Loop Trail, which is also designed to accommodate wheelchairs, is accessible from the far-most west parking area and makes a one-quarter-mile loop prior to returning back to where it began.

The Fenceline Trail is accessible from the North Loop, as is the Lakefront Loop. However, these particular routes make their way along natural surfaces, and in turn are not suitable for wheelchairs. In fact, none of the remaining paths we'll cover are wheelchair accessible.

The Fenceline Trail meanders one-half of a mile, along a fairly level terrain. Although the route makes its way through a wooded environment, the trees are hardly as thick as they are along other loops.

Two other loops are accessible via the Fenceline Trail, one of which is my favorite biking section. The Water Tower Loop winds 0.75 miles. And although skilled mountain bikers would find this section far less than technical, it does provide those of us who are not as skilled with a couple of hairpin turns immediately followed by short, yet steep ascents.

I think it would be safe to suggest that the Lakefront Trail provides hiking and biking enthusiasts with the best views during its 0.5-mile journey. Running along the hillside and paralleling the shoreline, the designated path provides its fair share of pleasant views.

This particular section of trail lends to an easy walk and a relatively simple ride. However, there is one small rock formation lurking in the beaten path and one hairpin turn awaits as well. But again, these are hardly what a skilled rider would consider as technical and can easily be navigated by novice riders.

The Lakefront Trail eventually intersects with yet another route that leads to plenty of impressive scenery. In fact, the Pavilion on the Point Trail follows the shoreline during its 0.25-mile journey. It also makes its way alongside a fishing pier and crosses an impressive bridge spanning the back of a pocket.

Although I have never fished from the pier, I do recall chewing the fat with an angler a few years back that had managed to coax several white bass into biting from this exact spot.

The trail eventually ties back in with the Wildlife Observation Trail. However, the Sunnybrook Connector Trail is also accessible from this particular route.

The Sunnybrook Connector Trail makes its way alongside the shoreline and two more fishing piers. One will also be able to see the Sunnybrook launching ramp, located on the opposing side of the pocket.

In fact, one can take a spur trail from this route leading to the fishing pier, located beside the launching ramp. This pier seems to be a popular fishing spot, and for good reason.

Again, I have never fished from this particular spot. However, anglers obviously release fish at the ramp on a regular basis. And one would suspect that at least a portion of these fish remains in the vicinity.

Now back to the Sunnybrook Connector Trail. It heads back into a wooded environment and makes a short journey prior to tying back in with the pavement at the easternmost parking area.

Yep, the Entergy Park is a little jewel situated within the perimeters of the Hot Springs city limits. It is a destination that I have visited many times in the past. And I suspect it is a location where I will return on a fairly regular basis in the future.

To get to Entergy Park, from Malvern Avenue, turn onto Carpenter Dam Road. Go 2.0 miles and turn right onto Lake Park Drive. Travel 250 feet and the entrance will be on the left.

  photo  Located on the banks of Lake Hamilton, Entergy Park is a destination where non-boat owners can try their hand at catching native fish. - Photo by Corbet Deary of The Sentinel-Record
 
 

Upcoming Events