As she led a group of hikers along the 2-mile Electric Island Nature Trail, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Kirsten Bartlow noted that she wants to pedal her mountain bike around the "flowy" loop.
The trail's not being promoted as a biking path -- because, lake -- but cyclists are welcome. So are anglers, bird watchers and of course hikers. But hunting, camping and campfires are all prohibited.
The island is open, no permits or permission to visit required. You just have to get there, and unless you're someone very, very special, that means you will need a boat.
View I | View II | OLD NEWS: Plans floated, then forgotten | Electric Island opens a peaceful path in buzzy Lake Hamilton | Island open to the public
If the one you have is a kayak or canoe, it would be wise to plan your visit to Electric Island so as not to coincide with the typically heavy recreational traffic buzzing all over the place on weekends and holidays. Bartlow suggests paddling early in the morning, off-season or during the week.
Maps and directions to the island are at agfc.com/electricisland. A photo gallery and 360-degree views of the trail on opening day are at arkansasonline.com/101island.
-- Celia Storey
ActiveStyle on 10/01/2018