List of Arkansas state parks

There are 52 state parks in the U.S. state of Arkansas, as of 2017.[1] The state parks division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (ADPT) is the governing body and operator of all parks, although jurisdiction is shared with other state agencies in a few cases.

The first Arkansas state park, Petit Jean State Park, opened in 1923 following an unsuccessful attempt by a lumber company to donate the Seven Hollows and canyon areas to the federal government as a National Park.[2] Stephen Mather deemed the parcel too small in 1921, but the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 276, allowing the Commissioner of State Lands to accept donations of land for public use.

The list gives an overview of Arkansas state parks and a brief history of their development since the first park opened in 1923. State parks range in size from 1 acre (0.40 ha) to 11,744 acres (4,753 ha).

Arkansas State Parks

Current parks

Current Arkansas state parks
Park name County or counties Size Year Established Water Body(s) Remarks Image
Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources Union County19 acres
(8 ha)		1986NoneMuseum preserving and interpreting the history of oil and bromine mining in Arkansas
Arkansas Post Museum Arkansas County8 acres (3.2 ha)1997NoneMuseum dedicated to the history of Arkansas Post, Arkansas's territorial capital until 1821. Located on the grounds of the Arkansas Post National Memorial (National Park Service)
Historic house sits beside a road
Bull Shoals-White River State Park Baxter and Marion counties732 acres (296 ha)1955Bull Shoals LakeTrout fishing destination above and below Bull Shoals Dam with over 100 campsites
A wide river passes between a steep tree-covered hillside and a rocky shoreline, with houses built into the trees and fishermen in a canoe
Cane Creek State Park Lincoln County2,053 acres (831 ha)1992Cane Creek LakeWooded lake along Bayou Bartholomew including a hiking trail and camping
An orange sunset reflects in a quiet and calm Cane Creek Lake with a timber line on the horizon
Conway Cemetery State Park Lafayette County11.5 acres (5 ha)1986NoneHistorical state park with no recreational services located on James Sevier Conway's (the first governor of Arkansas) former cotton plantation
A small fenced cemetery with large trees on a flat, green landscape
Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area Howard and Polk county5,230 acres (2145 ha)1988Cossatot RiverClass III, IV, and V whitewater rafting river listed on the National Park Service's National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
Sharp rocks jut out from a river in a lush forest
Crater of Diamonds State Park Pike County911 acres (369 ha)1972NoneWorld's only diamond-bearing site accessible to the public
Large tilled field among tall pine trees with several hopeful visitors digging for diamonds
Crowley's Ridge State Park Greene County291 acres (118 ha)1937Lake PonderPark built on the homestead of Benjamin Crowley, dedicated to the culture and history of the Crowley's Ridge region. Includes many structures built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and spring-fed Lake Ponder
A quiet Lake Ponder viewed through a grove of lush green trees and bushes
Daisy State Park Pike County276 acres (112 ha)1955Lake GreesonPark nestled within the Ouachita Mountains on Lake Greeson near the Ouachita National Forest. Popular for camping, water sports, and fishing
Davidsonville Historic State Park Randolph County163 acres (66 ha)1957Black RiverHistoric state park preserving the abandoned frontier river town of Davidsonville. Interpretive tours and signs guide visitors through the historic community bypassed by the Southwest Trail in the 1820s. Fishing is available along three nearby rivers, with 49 campsites
Quiet lake surrounded by tall, leafy green trees
DeGray Lake Resort State Park Clark and Hot Spring counties984 acres (398 ha)1974DeGray LakeResort state park with championship rated golf course, 94 room lodge, and over 100 campsites
Shining blue lake with trees in foreground
Delta Heritage Trail State Park Arkansas, Desha and Phillips counties960 acres (390 ha)2002NoneRails to trails conversion of former railroad bed through Arkansas Delta lowlands, currently 14 miles (23 km), planned to be 73 miles (117 km)
Devil's Den State Park Washington County2,500 acres (1000 ha)1933Lee CreekCivilian Conservation Corps-built park in the Ozarks with lake, caves, swimming pool and several trails. Includes over 100 campsites, including cabins
Red, green and orange fall foliage surrounds a small bridge spanning a quiet, rocky Lee Creek
Hampson Archeological Museum State Park Mississippi County5 acres (2 ha)1961NoneMuseum displaying archeological artifacts from the Nodena Site, an aboriginal village of the Nodena people dated 1400-1650 CE, and bones from the Island 35 Mastodon
Vessel resembling a human head on display at the museum
Herman Davis State Park Mississippi County1 acre (0.4 ha)1953NonePark surrounding a grave and memorial to Herman Davis, a U.S. sniper during World War I
Granite statue of a young soldier in military uniform standing in front of an obelisk atop a plaque describing his achievements
Historic Washington State Park Hempstead County101 acres (41 ha)1973NoneFifty-three buildings that preserve and interpret the architectural, cultural, and political history of a historic nineteenth century town.
Original wood courthouse.
Hobbs State Park – Conservation Area Benton, Carroll and Madison counties12,056 acres (4879 ha)1979Beaver LakeLarge park in the Boston Mountains along Beaver Lake featuring trails, camping, and a shooting range.
Stone bridge with five circular openings allowing a leaf-littered creek to pass through slowly
Jacksonport State Park Jackson County164.7 acres (66.7 ha)1965Black River and White RiverPark containing the 1872 Jacksonport courthouse, preserving the culture and history of a former steamboat river town
Large, ornate red brick courthouse sits on a green lawn with a gazebo in the foreground
Jenkins' Ferry Battleground State Park Grant County40 acres (16.2 ha)1961Saline RiverOne of three battleground sites from the Camden Expedition of the Civil War. Water recreation available on the Saline River
Battle of Jenkins' Ferry Memorial
Lake Catherine State Park Garland and Hot Spring counties2,180 acres (882.2 ha)1935Lake CatherineCivilian Conservation Corps park created along the lake, resulting in a well-preserved natural shoreline. Park features cabins, campsites, nature programs, marina, hiking trails, and a sand beach swimming area
The blue waters of Lake Catherine with a tall pine tree-covered point jutting out into it and camp facilities visible on the shore in the background
Lake Charles State Park Lawrence County140 acres (57 ha)1967Lake CharlesLake is maintained and stocked with fish by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; also features camping, hiking, boat ramps and an interpretative nature center
Lake Chicot State Park Chicot County211.6 acres (85.6 ha)1957Lake ChicotLargest oxbow lake in the United States; formerly the main channel of the Mississippi River. Park is located within a pecan grove within a bayou environment, offering 122 campsites, 14 cabins, swimming pool, boat shop/marina and interpretative visitor center.
A bright blue lake with a line of cypress trees along the horizon and puffy white clouds in the equally blue sky
Lake Dardanelle State Park Pope County246 acres (99.6 ha)1966Lake DardanelleTwo sites (Russellville and Dardanelle), including 74 campsites, boating, visitor center, and aquarium. Popular for bass fishing, including hosting many major tournaments.
A bright blue lake with a line of trees along the horizon, interrupted only by a cooling tower for the nuclear power plant in Russellville, and puffy white clouds in the blue sky
Lake Fort Smith State Park Crawford County260 acres (105.2 ha)1967Lake Fort SmithLarge lake in the Ozarks offering 30 campsites, 10 cabins, a marina, swimming pool and visitor center
Shining blue water with the Ozark Mountains rising in the background
Lake Frierson State Park Greene County114 acres (46.1 ha)1975Lake FriersonReservoir built along Crowley's Ridge known for fishing. Features seven campsites, trails, boat ramp and visitor center
Quiet lake with a short wooded point jutting out from the right, with a dark green treeline along the horizon
Lake Ouachita State Park Garland County360 acres (145.7 ha)1955Lake OuachitaBuilt surrounding a reservoir, the park features a marina, trails, restaurant, eagle tours, and interpretative information on three historic springs in the park vicinity
Aerial view of a calm, shiny blue lake and matriculating around wooded peninsulas covered in green, orange and red foliage
Lake Poinsett State Park Poinsett County132 acres (53.4 ha)1963Lake PoinsettPopular with fishing enthusiasts, the park offers 29 campsites, trails and interpretative programs
Calm lake surrounded by lush greenery
Logoly State Park Columbia County368 acres (148.9 ha)1974NoneEnvironmental education park containing mature oak-hickory forests, mineral springs and endangered species
Small lake surrounded by old growth forest in winter
Louisiana Purchase State Park Lee County, Monroe County, Phillips County37.5 acres (15.2 ha)1961NoneBoardwalk through a headwater swamp leading to a monument dedicating the point of beginning of all surveys of the Louisiana Purchase, which allowed for the westward development and expansion of the United States
Monument flooded swamp water surrounded by large, kneed cypress trees
Lower White River Museum State Park Prairie County0.4 acres (0.2 ha)1975White RiverMuseum dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of culture, commerce and history along the White River in Arkansas
A tan metal building with green trim with a carved wooden sign with the park's name
Mammoth Spring State Park Fulton County623.5 acres (25 ha)1957Mammoth SpringPark surrounding the large natural spring, offering fishing, boating and hiking, an Arkansas welcome center and museum
Marks' Mills Battleground State Park Cleveland County6.2 acres (2.5 ha)1961NonePark commemorating Civil War battle, including exhibits and park area. Also a Red River Campaign National Historic Landmark.
Millwood State Park Little River County824 acres (333 ha)1976Millwood LakeForested area surrounding large lake known for bass fishing, bird watching, hiking and camping.
Mississippi River State Park Lee County, Phillips County536 acres (217 ha)2009Mississippi RiverNewest state park created within the St. Francis National Forest. Park currently includes campground at Bear Creek Lake and birding trail.
Moro Bay State Park Bradley County117 acres (47 ha)1972Ouachita RiverPark at the convergence of Raymond Lake, Moro Bay, and the Ouachita River with visitor center. Popular destination for fishing, water sports, hiking trails and camping.
Mount Magazine State Park Logan County2,234 acres (904 ha)1983NoneThe park contains Mossback Ridge, including the peak of Mount Magazine, Arkansas's highest point. Park also contains The Lodge at Mount Magazine, cabins, trails, and a hang gliding area.
Mount Nebo State Park Yell County2,984 acres (1208 ha)1928NoneOne of three mountain state parks in the Arkansas River Valley, includes historic cabins, 14 miles (23 km) of hiking trails, and popular hang-gliding launch points.
A flat, green, agricultural field with a rising Mount Nebo in the background.
Ozark Folk Center State Park Stone County637 acres (258 ha)1973NoneLocated near Mountain View, Arkansas, it preserves the music, culture, and traditions of the Ozark Mountains. Hosts special concerts and regular folk music performances.
A historic market with red roof with a wooden "Ozark Folk Center" sign.
Parkin Archeological State Park Cross County107 acres (43 ha)1994None
A black and white photo of the primary mound, a steep, grass covered rise on an otherwise flat plain
Petit Jean State Park Conway County3,471 acres (1405 ha)1923NoneSituated atop Petit Jean Mountain in the Arkansas River Valley, offers trails, creeks, and geology throughout the forested mountains
View into a river valley from a rock outcropping, with green forest below and blue sky above
Pinnacle Mountain State Park Pulaski County2,069 acres (837 ha)1973NoneRocky Pinnacle Mountain emerges where the flat Arkansas Delta intersects the Ouachita Mountains
Mountain rises from a flat floodplain
Plantation Agriculture Museum Lonoke County14.5 acres (5.9 ha)1985NoneFormer general store serving a community of cotton farmers operating as a museum including over 10,000 artifacts. Grounds also contain farm machinery used on cotton plantations.
Two old buildings, the left an ornate brick façade in the Georgian style, the right a lean-to housing old, iron farm equipment
Poison Springs Battleground State Park Ouachita County85 acres (34 ha)1961NonePreserves and commemorates the Battle of Poison Spring in the American Civil War, which was part of the 1864 Camden Expedition
Historic marker reading "Engagement at Poison Springs" in foreground of a forested area with rustic wooden pavilion in the background.
Powhatan Historic State Park Lawrence County9.1 acres (3.7 ha)1970Black RiverPreserves a small nineteenth-century river port town on the Black River
An old, two-story brick courthouse with third-story bell tower under a starry night sky.
Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park Washington County840 acres (340 ha)1957NonePreserves and commemorates the Battle of Prairie Grove in the American Civil War. Park includes a museum, gift shop, and several historic structures from the period relocated to the site around a walking trail.
Tall field stone column memorial flanked by United States and Confederate States of America flags surrounded by tall, leafy green trees.
Queen Wilhelmina State Park Polk County460 acres (190 ha)1957NoneLodge atop Rich Mountain offers 38 guest rooms and is surrounded by forested slopes with creeks, trails, and mountain vistas. Located along the Talimena Scenic Drive.
Wooden two-story lodge with green roof, large field stone fireplace, double-decker porch facing a mountain vista.
South Arkansas Arboretum Union County13 acres (5.3 ha)1991NoneArboretum and botanical garden owned by South Arkansas Community College with plants native to the Western Gulf Coastal Plain region.
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park Lonoke County185 acres (75 ha)1975None
Two burial mounds rise above flat, green grass with a trees in the background.

185 acres (75 ha)

See also

  • Arkansas portal

References

  1. ↑ "Park Finder". Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Retrieved March 5, 2017. Note: this list of all 52 parks is the default reference for current individual Arkansas state parks.
  2. ↑ "Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (ADPT)". Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture. Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at Central Arkansas Library System. February 7, 2012. Missing or empty |url= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
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