Between Memphis And Little Rock Is A Friendly City With Lake Fun, Local Eateries, And Scenic Nature

Driving the stretch of Interstate 40 between Memphis and Little Rock, it's easy to miss out on the communities located off the well-traveled path. One small city located about an hour west of Memphis and 90 minutes east of Little Rock is home to one of the largest state parks in Arkansas, making it a destination for fishermen, hikers, and campers. Wynne, Arkansas, known as "The City with a Smile," welcomes travelers whether they are just stopping in for a bite at a local restaurant, planning a weekend at the park and lakes, or staying a while to get to know the town. 

Located where flat Delta plains meet the higher elevations of Crowley's Ridge, Wynne offers a look at two different aspects of Arkansas's natural beauty. Parts of Wynne are a patchwork of low, rich farmland dotted with trees, with green fields stretching out for miles. The eastern portions of the town are up on the ridge, a narrow series of hills carved out over time by the changing courses of rivers and topped with windblown soil. The unique geological makeup of the ridge gives the area a different feel than the lowlands of much of the rest of the region, with hickory and oak trees as well as water maples and beeches towering over trails that wind through the landscape.

The most popular attraction in Wynne is the 7,000-acre Village Creek State Park up on Crowley's Ridge. Fishing is a popular pastime at the park's two manmade lakes, Lake Dunn and Lake Austell, thanks to the presence of bass, crappie, and catfish. Notable catches include a largemouth bass over 16 pounds and a catfish that weighed about 30 pounds. There's a dock and a boat launch available for small boats, but outdoorsmen should note that the use of gas-powered engines is prohibited (fishermen seeking to use gas-powered watercraft can head 45 minutes south to Mississippi River State Park on the Arkansas–Mississippi border). Paddling is another popular activity on the lake, and visitors can rent their own single or tandem kayaks thanks to the self-serve kayak rental kiosk available at Lake Dunn. Families with kids will want to check out the park's sandy swimming beach as well as the playgrounds. 

In addition to the activities offered by the lakes, Village Creek State Park also has more than 30 miles of trails, including the easy, .25-mile Arboretum Trail and the moderately difficult, 2.77-mile Lake Dunn Trail for hikers.  The nearly 200-year-old Military Road Trail is a forest path now sunken into the earth after being worn by time, and it was a significant road used for the forced migration of Native Americans during the Trail of Tears. Other paths in the park are available for mountain biking and horseback riding, although the trails are closed to bikes and horses when wet due to the fragile nature of the soil. The park also includes a 27-hole golf course, campgrounds, and events such as guided nature hikes and watercolor painting classes.

Wynne's restaurants are a good place to stop and sample classic American food and Southern dishes on the way through town. At Tacker's Shake Shack, diners can get baskets of burgers and fries along with a root beer float or peanut butter banana shake. There's also Mama B's Diner, with down-home food like catfish, country fried steak, and fried fruit pies (until recently, the restaurant was called Johnson's Fish House and Diner, but two longtime employees took over ownership and updated the name). For lighter fare with an emphasis on nutrition, try Nutrish by NQ, which offers smoothies, salads, and house-made, cold-pressed juices. Plus, only 40 minutes away is the Delta town of Marianna, Arkansas, where you can try barbecue at the award-winning Jones Bar-B-Q Diner. 

Although Wynne has seen its share of struggles, such as when I-40 bypassed the town and the railroad service ended, and when a 2023 tornado damaged the town, things are looking up for the community. The residents of Wynne are working to revitalize the town with beautifully landscaped streets and gathering areas, as well as the construction of new pickleball courts. The town is also part of the Crowley's Ridge Gravel Trail, a 249-mile cycling trail that stretches north to south across the state. While lodging in Wynne is limited to a couple of motels and one two-star hotel, travelers looking for more options can book a cabin in Village Creek State Park or check out the options in Memphis, like the elegant Peabody Hotel with its infamous duck parade.