So when we started hiking (which was fall of 2009), we decided to find out what Tanyard Creek was all about. So one fall afternoon we headed down the road, or rather up the road, to Tanyard Creek.
If you are in NWArkansas, it is pretty easy to get to. Just drive 540 (north) to Bella Vista. Take the Lancashire Drive (340) exit. Turn left and follow the road. You will begin to see signs. Turn on the street to the left (I have no name, just look for the sign) then turn right into the parking lot. The trail starts right by the pavilion.
The first little bit of the trail you kind of wonder what you are doing. After all, you are basically overlooking a field (and probably a golf course). Just be patient. Go a little further until you see the actual hiking sign. That is where the beauty begins. We always go to the right at the sign/map area.
One of the neat things about the trail is that volunteers have painstakingly created signs for all sorts of plants/trees. You will also find information along the trail about the history of the area. That is probably why our third grade teachers choose it for a field trip. 
Fall is obviously a beautiful time to go with all of the colorful leaves. I have also visited in the spring (when Lauren went on her field trip) and we went on a warm summer day as a family and played in the creek. We haven't tried going in the winter yet...
There are a lot of "photo" ops along the trail. In fact, this day we were there, there were photographers EVERYWHERE taking Christmas card shots. My family just got stuck with this amateur photographer...
This was a shallow part of the creek. The creek does get a little bit deeper, perfect for wading. You do have to watch out for snakes, though we didn't see any in the creek when we were there.
Most of the trail is fairly level. There are only a couple of inclines. One was to the waterfall (and we went a bit further to see the lake...that wasn't really worth the extra walk. The waterfall however is. When we have had rain, it is beautiful. When we went in the summer, it was dry as a bone. :)
The creek is fun. We saw some crawfish in it. There is also a "rapids" area right below the waterfall. 
This is one of three snakes I have ever seen on a hike. I think it was possibly a baby copperhead but I try not to get close enough snakes to identify them. This one was dead already though, so I didn't run out of the woods screaming. I just made sure there wasn't a momma nearby!
Tanyard Creek has some beautiful rock areas, including some overhangs and faux caves. 
There are some signs of civilization from long ago along the trail. This is the foundation of an old house.
This swinging bridge is one of my favorite parts. It is fun to walk on and just gives the trail a little "bling".
Tanyard Creek is a loop. You walk around the trail and emerge back at the trailhead. The trail is around 2 miles long depending on how which parts you walk.
If you are just starting to hike as a family, I highly recommend Tanyard Creek. It is a nice trail, fairly easy to walk, yet has some fun history along the way. It is probably one of the more kid friendly trails we have ever been on.Happy Hiking!
The Clouds
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