Trails
Craven Nature Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 0.5 mile loop
Location of trail: Parking is available at the marked pull-out, on S. Refuge Rd. 1 mile south of main entrance gate.
Surface: Partially paved, gravel and boardwalk
Difficulty: Easy
The accessible 0.25 mile of asphalt pavement connecting the trailhead to Dick’s Pond boardwalk features interpretive panels and 3 benches along the route. This portion of the longer loop trail descends gradually through woodland habitat to bottomlands surrounding the pond. The boardwalk provides views of the pond and its surrounding marsh habitat.
Sandy Creek Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 0.25 mile loop
Location of trail: Along Sandy creek
Surface: Dirt
Difficulty: Easy
This trail allows you to get a nice view of Sandy creek. You might even be able to spot an otter here.
Prairie Pathways Trail
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 0.5 mile loop
Location of trail: Adjacent from the old headquarters building.
Surface: Paved, ADA compliant
Difficulty: Easy
Parking is available in front of the historic headquarters building. The sidewalk that begins at the south eastern corner of the parking lot leads to a meandering network of accessible paved pathways. Explore this area to discover information about local plants and animals and the area’s rich history at interpretive waysides. You will also see the native plants demonstration garden, works of art highlighting cultural and natural history, historic buildings and scenic views of the Cumberland Pool.
Osi' Aapisa' Hin-oshi'
Open Season: Open year round
Length: 2.4 mile one-way, 4.8 miles round-trip
Location of trail: Parking is available at both ends of this trail: Murray 23 and the observation tower beyond Sandy Creek.
Surface: unpaved, uneven, dirt, gravel, and grass
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat
Meaning 'Eagle Lookout Trail' in the Chickasaw language, this trail is one of the locations we see eagle activity. This is a there-and-back trail between the Murray 23 area and the Observation Tower past Sandy Creek. Closer to the observation tower, the landscape spans open fields and prairie which provides for grazing deer, hungry raptors, and native prairie plants. Closer to the Murray 23 trailhead, the landscape is shaded by trees and brush which provide excellent habitat for song birds and small mammals.