Dora Trail

Description

The Dora Trail is a 2.5 mile linear, mixed-use trail that connects downtown Pulaski and its local parks to New River Trail State Park. Winding along Peak Creek, a stocked trout stream, the Dora Trail provides an important riparian greenway for birds and other wildlife in the urban area. Observable habitats from the trail include a narrow strip of stream, meadow, forest, and urban habitats.

Urban birds are abundant along the Dora Trail. Other birds frequently seen include herons, Belted Kingfisher, and a variety of swallow species. Some of the nesting bird species observed here have included: Baltimore oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Louisiana Water Thrush, Red-eyed and White-eyed Vireos, American Redstart, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Kingbird, Pileated Woodpecker, and Northern Flicker. Other wildlife sightings along this trail may include deer, muskrats, river otters, snakes, salamanders, butterflies, and common urban residents such as squirrels, raccoons, and skunks.

There are four access points to the Dora Trail with free parking available: Pulaski Train Station/ Kiwanis Park (Dora Trail’s western terminus trailhead), Cool Springs, Heritage Park, and Pulaski Community Garden. Parking is also available at New River Trail State Park – Dora Junction (Dora Trail’s eastern terminus trailhead), but a parking fee is required.

Directions

To access the Western Terminus Trailhead located at the Pulaski Train Station/ Kiwanis Park (Address: 20 S. Washington Ave, Pulaski):

From I-81 exit 89B, take US 11 North four miles to 20 S. Washington Avenue in Pulaski. Parking lot entrance is on the right and there is no parking fee. Proceed through the Kiwanis Park to reach the Dora Trail.

To access the Eastern Terminus Trailhead located at the Pulaski/Xaloy/Dora Junction:

From I-81 exit 94, take Route 99 West approximately 2 miles to Xaloy Dr; turn onto Xaloy Dr to entrance. (Note: This entrance is also an access point to New River Trail State Park and a parking fee is required.) Proceed down the New River Trail about 0.5 miles to reach the Dora Trail, which begins at Dora Junction.