Buck Island conservation expands river access for Phillips County recreation

A large conservation effort has secured roughly 880 acres on Buck Island, a Mississippi River island just off Helena-West Helena, creating new public access to miles of sandy beaches, hiking trails and side channels. The site is reachable by small boat via Helena Harbor’s public ramp and ties into planned water-trail infrastructure that will link local launch points to a broader Lower Mississippi River Water Trail.

For Phillips County residents the change turns the river from a distant backdrop into an active local asset. Helena River Park already provides the primary river access in this stretch with a major public boat ramp and riverfront amenities that serve paddlers and anglers. Buck Island’s trails, forested habitat and shoreline add paddling, camping, birding and fishing options a short trip from the ramp, expanding day-trip and overnight opportunities without long travel.

Conservation groups and state and local partners are coordinating the island protection and water-trail planning. The site’s habitat protections aim to preserve wildlife corridors and migratory bird stopovers while creating managed access for recreation. That dual focus can reduce random camping and disturbance on sensitive sandbars and side channels, while directing visitor use to established trails and launch points.

The economic implications are straightforward for Helena-West Helena and Phillips County. One of the few convenient launch points in this river stretch increases the catchment area for outfitters, guide services, bait shops and riverfront restaurants. Nature-based visitors—paddlers, birders and anglers—tend to spend locally on gear, guide fees and lodging, so better-managed access can translate into steady, small-business-friendly tourism. Local civic planners can fold Buck Island and the advancing water-trail into heritage tourism strategies that emphasize river history, fishing culture and delta wildlife viewing.

Practical rules for would-be visitors remain important. Boaters and paddlers should check current river conditions and launch regulations before heading out and use the Helena Harbor public ramp as the standard access point in the immediate area. Anglers must consult Arkansas Game & Fish Commission regulations for seasonal and species rules and follow water-safety guidance for the Mississippi River and its channels.

The new conservation also raises policy questions about parking, signage, and emergency response for island visitors. Local leaders will need to coordinate trail maintenance, enforce protections for sensitive habitat, and work with outfitting businesses to ensure access is safe and economically beneficial.

The takeaway? Buck Island gives Phillips County another reason to get on the river. Treat it respectfully, plan your trip, and local businesses and planners can turn a conserved island into steady recreation and tourism that supports the community.