Last updated: April 10, 2026
Place
Holla Bend NWR
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
10448 Holla Bend Road, Dardanelle, AR
Significance:
Holla Bend is a site on the Trail of Tears. This far up the Arkansas River, sandbars, snags, or low water forced many detachments to end their Water Route journey and proceed to Indian Territory overland.
MANAGED BY:
Amenities
6 listed
Accessible Sites, Benches/Seating, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot
Low water levels in the rivers presented one of the biggest challenges on the Trail of Tears Water Route. Unlike today, there were no channels maintained for commerce. Shoals, sandbars, and snags were a daily problem. Yet changing to land travel presented its own challenges, like finding alternate transportation. The Drane and Whiteley detachments had to leave the river in this area and finish their journey to Indian Territory by land. They suffered in the oppressive summer heat, traveling partly at night to avoid the daytime misery.
Today’s Holla Bend is bounded on one side by the Arkansas River and on its other sides by an oxbow lake that was formerly the main river channel. The river was straightened and channeled for flood protection in 1954. This far up the Arkansas River, sandbars, snags, or low water forced many detachments to end their Water Route journey and proceed to Indian Territory overland.
When you first arrive, it may seem quiet, but soon you can hear the sounds of birds and other animals. In the 1830s, you might have heard the slap, slap, slap of a steamboat wheel against the river as it pushed the steamboat 5 miles west to the boat landing at Dardanelle. It may have had a flat boat or a keel in tow or lashed to the side carrying tribal parties from the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee, Seminole, and Cherokee Nations being removed to Indian Territory. When the boats reached the landing, they could receive provisions and, in some cases, passengers.
Dardanelle was an early city and had an active steamboat landing. After navigating the bend, steamboats would stop for provisions and occasionally pick up passengers at the landing. Brochures are available at Dardanelle. One can also visit the last standing Council Oak and the Dardanelle Rock. Russellville is across the bridge over the river.
Safety Considerations
Today’s Holla Bend is bounded on one side by the Arkansas River and on its other sides by an oxbow lake that was formerly the main river channel. The river was straightened and channeled for flood protection in 1954. This far up the Arkansas River, sandbars, snags, or low water forced many detachments to end their Water Route journey and proceed to Indian Territory overland.
When you first arrive, it may seem quiet, but soon you can hear the sounds of birds and other animals. In the 1830s, you might have heard the slap, slap, slap of a steamboat wheel against the river as it pushed the steamboat 5 miles west to the boat landing at Dardanelle. It may have had a flat boat or a keel in tow or lashed to the side carrying tribal parties from the Choctaw, Chickasaw, Muscogee, Seminole, and Cherokee Nations being removed to Indian Territory. When the boats reached the landing, they could receive provisions and, in some cases, passengers.
Site Information
Location (10448 Holla Bend Road, Dardanelle, AR)Dardanelle was an early city and had an active steamboat landing. After navigating the bend, steamboats would stop for provisions and occasionally pick up passengers at the landing. Brochures are available at Dardanelle. One can also visit the last standing Council Oak and the Dardanelle Rock. Russellville is across the bridge over the river.
Safety Considerations