List of Arkansas state parks

There are 53 state parks in the U.S. state of Arkansas, as of 2025. The state parks division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism 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. 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.

Arkansas State Parks

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 to .

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"

|+ Current Arkansas state parks

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| Name

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| County

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| Size

! style="width:*10%" scope="col"| Estab- lished

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| River / lake

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| Image

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| Remarks

! scope="row"|Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources

||Union || acres (8 ha) || 1986 || None || || Museum preserving and interpreting the history of oil and bromine mining in Arkansas

! scope="row"|Arkansas Post Museum

||Arkansas || acres (3.2 ha) || 1997 || None || center|120px|alt=Historic house sits beside a road || Museum 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)

! scope="row"|Blanchard Springs

||Arkansas || || 2025 || North Sylamore Creek|| center|120px|alt=Historic house sits beside a road ||

! scope="row"|Bull Shoals-White River

||Baxter, Marion || acres (296 ha) || 1955 || Bull Shoals Lake || center|120px|alt=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 || Trout fishing destination above and below Bull Shoals Dam with over 100 campsites

! scope="row"|Cane Creek

||Lincoln || acres (831 ha) || 1992 || Cane Creek Lake || center|120px|alt=An orange sunset reflects in a quiet and calm Cane Creek Lake with a timber line on the horizon || Wooded lake along Bayou Bartholomew including a hiking trail and camping

! scope="row"|Conway Cemetery

||Lafayette || acres (5 ha) || 1986 || None || center|120px|alt=A small fenced cemetery with large trees on a flat, green landscape || Historical state park with no recreational services located on James Sevier Conway's (the first governor of Arkansas) former cotton plantation

! scope="row"|Cossatot River

||Howard, Polk || acres (2145 ha) || 1988 || Cossatot River || center|120px|alt=Sharp rocks jut out from a river in a lush forest || Class III, IV, and V whitewater rafting river listed on the National Park Service's National Wild and Scenic Rivers System

! scope="row"|Crater of Diamonds

||Pike || acres (369 ha) || 1972 || Little Missouri River || center|120px|alt=Large tilled field among tall pine trees with several hopeful visitors digging for diamonds || World's only diamond-bearing site accessible to the public

! scope="row"|Crowley's Ridge

||Greene || acres (118 ha) || 1937 || Lake Ponder || center|120px|alt=A quiet Lake Ponder viewed through a grove of lush green trees and bushes || Park 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

! scope="row"|Daisy

||Pike || acres (112 ha) || 1955 || Lake Greeson || center|120px|alt=Blue waters of Lake Greeson with the green Ouachita Mountains in the background under a blue sky full of white clouds || Park nestled within the Ouachita Mountains on Lake Greeson near the Ouachita National Forest. Popular for camping, water sports, and fishing

! scope="row"|Davidsonville

||Randolph || acres (66 ha) || 1957 || Black River || center|120px|alt=Quiet lake surrounded by tall, leafy green trees || Historic 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

! scope="row"|DeGray Lake

||Clark, Hot Spring || acres (398 ha) || 1974 || DeGray Lake || center|120px|alt=Shining blue lake with trees in foreground || Resort state park with championship rated golf course, 94 room lodge, and over 100 campsites

! scope="row"|Delta Heritage Trail

||Arkansas, Desha, Phillips || acres (390 ha) || 2002 || Old Town Lake || 120px|alt=Wooden footbridge ends and becomes a gravel trail with tall trees on either side || Rails to trails conversion of former railroad bed through Arkansas Delta lowlands, currently , planned to be

! scope="row"|Devil's Den

||Washington || acres (1000 ha) || 1933 || Lee Creek || center|120px|alt=Red, green and orange fall foliage surrounds a small bridge spanning a quiet, rocky Lee Creek || Civilian Conservation Corps-built park in the Ozarks with lake, caves, swimming pool and several trails. Includes over 100 campsites, including cabins

! scope="row"|Hampson Archeological Museum

||Mississippi || acres (2 ha) || 1961 || None || center|120px|alt=Vessel resembling a human head on display at the museum || Museum 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

! scope="row"|Herman Davis

||Mississippi || acre (0.4 ha) || 1953 || None || center|120px|alt=Granite statue of a young soldier in military uniform standing in front of an obelisk atop a plaque describing his achievements || Park surrounding a grave and memorial to Herman Davis, a U.S. sniper during World War I

! scope="row"|Historic Washington

|| Hempstead || acres (41 ha) || 1973 || None || center|120px|alt=Original wood courthouse. || Fifty-three buildings that preserve and interpret the architectural, cultural, and political history of a historic nineteenth century town.

! scope="row"|Hobbs Conservation Area

||Benton, Carroll, Madison || acres (4879 ha) || 1979 || Beaver Lake || center|120px|alt=Stone bridge with five circular openings allowing a leaf-littered creek to pass through slowly || Large park in the Boston Mountains along Beaver Lake featuring trails, camping, and a shooting range.

! scope="row"|Jacksonport

||Jackson || acres (66.7 ha) || 1965 || Black River and White River || center|120px|alt=Large, ornate red brick courthouse sits on a green lawn with a gazebo in the foreground || Park containing the 1872 Jacksonport courthouse, preserving the culture and history of a former steamboat river town

! scope="row"|Jenkins' Ferry Battleground

||Grant || acres (16.2 ha) || 1961 || Saline River || center|120px|alt=Battle of Jenkins' Ferry Memorial || One of three battleground sites from the Camden Expedition of the Civil War. Water recreation available on the Saline River

! scope="row"|Lake Catherine

|| Garland, Hot Spring || acres (882.2 ha) || 1935 || Lake Catherine || center|120px|alt=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 || Civilian 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

! scope="row"|Lake Charles

|| Lawrence || acres (57 ha) || 1967 || Lake Charles || || Lake is maintained and stocked with fish by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission; also features camping, hiking, boat ramps and an interpretative nature center

! scope="row"|Lake Chicot

|| Chicot || acres (85.6 ha) || 1957 || Lake Chicot, Arkansas || center|120px|alt=A bright blue lake with a line of cypress trees along the horizon and puffy white clouds in the equally blue sky || Largest 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.

! scope="row"|Lake Dardanelle

|| Pope || acres (99.6 ha) || 1966 || Lake Dardanelle || center|120px|alt=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 || Two sites (Russellville and Dardanelle), including 74 campsites, boating, visitor center, and aquarium. Popular for bass fishing, including hosting many major tournaments.

! scope="row"|Lake Fort Smith

|| Crawford || acres (105.2 ha) || 1967 || Lake Fort Smith || center|120px|alt=Shining blue water with the Ozark Mountains rising in the background || Large lake in the Ozarks offering 30 campsites, 10 cabins, a marina, swimming pool and visitor center

! scope="row"|Lake Frierson

|| Greene || acres (46.1 ha) || 1975 || Lake Frierson || center|120px|alt=Quiet lake with a short wooded point jutting out from the right, with a dark green treeline along the horizon || Reservoir built along Crowley's Ridge known for fishing. Features seven campsites, trails, boat ramp and visitor center

! scope="row"|Lake Ouachita

|| Garland || acres (145.7 ha) || 1955 || Lake Ouachita || center|120px|alt=Aerial view of a calm, shiny blue lake and matriculating around wooded peninsulas covered in green, orange and red foliage || Built surrounding a reservoir, the park features a marina, trails, restaurant, eagle tours, and interpretative information on three historic springs in the park vicinity

! scope="row"|Lake Poinsett

|| Poinsett || acres (53.4 ha) || 1963 || Lake Poinsett || center|120px|alt=Calm lake surrounded by lush greenery || Popular with fishing enthusiasts, the park offers 29 campsites, trails and interpretative programs

! scope="row"|Logoly

|| Columbia || acres (148.9 ha) || 1974 || Nature Pond || center|120px|alt=Small lake surrounded by old growth forest in winter || Environmental education park containing mature oak-hickory forests, mineral springs and endangered species

! scope="row"|Louisiana Purchase

|| Lee, Monroe, Phillips || acres (15.2 ha) || 1961 || Cypress Swamp || center|120px|alt=Monument flooded swamp water surrounded by large, kneed cypress trees || Boardwalk 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

! scope="row"|Lower White River Museum

|| Prairie || acres (0.2 ha) || 1975 || White River || center|120px|alt=A tan metal building with green trim with a carved wooden sign with the park's name || Museum dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of culture, commerce and history along the White River in Arkansas

! scope="row"|Mammoth Spring

|| Fulton || acres (25 ha) || 1957 || Mammoth Spring || center|120px || Park surrounding the large natural spring, offering fishing, boating and hiking, an Arkansas welcome center and museum

! scope="row"|Marks' Mills Battleground

|| Cleveland || acres (2.5 ha) || 1961 || None || center|120px || Park commemorating Civil War battle, including exhibits and park area. Also a Red River Campaign National Historic Landmark.

! scope="row"|Millwood

|| Little River || acres (333 ha) || 1976 || Millwood Lake || 120px || Forested area surrounding large lake known for bass fishing, bird watching, hiking and camping.

! scope="row"|Mississippi River

|| Lee, Phillips || acres (217 ha) || 2009 || Mississippi River || || Newest state park created within the St. Francis National Forest. Park currently includes campground at Bear Creek Lake and birding trail.

! scope="row"|Moro Bay

|| Bradley || acres (47 ha) || 1972 || Ouachita River || || Park 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.

! scope="row"|Mount Magazine

|| Logan || acres (904 ha) || 1983 || None || center|120px || The 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.

! scope="row"|Mount Nebo

|| Yell || acres (1208 ha) || 1928 || None || center|120px|alt=A flat, green, agricultural field with a rising Mount Nebo in the background. || One of three mountain state parks in the Arkansas River Valley, includes historic cabins, of hiking trails, and popular hang-gliding launch points.

! scope="row"|Ozark Folk Center

|| Stone || acres (258 ha) || 1973 || None || center|120px|alt=A historic market with red roof with a wooden "Ozark Folk Center" sign. || Located near Mountain View, Arkansas, it preserves the music, culture, and traditions of the Ozark Mountains. Hosts special concerts and regular folk music performances.

! scope="row"|Parkin Mounds

|| Cross || acres (43 ha) || 1994 || St. Francis River || center|120px|alt=The primary mound, a steep, grass covered rise on an otherwise flat plain ||

! scope="row"|Petit Jean

|| Conway || acres (1405 ha) || 1923 || Lake Bailey || center|120px|alt=View into a river valley from a rock outcropping, with green forest below and blue sky above || Situated atop Petit Jean Mountain in the Arkansas River Valley, offers trails, creeks, and geology throughout the forested mountains

! scope="row"|Pinnacle Mountain

|| Pulaski || acres (837 ha) || 1973 || Maumelle River || center|120px|alt=Mountain rises from a flat floodplain || Rocky Pinnacle Mountain emerges where the flat Arkansas Delta intersects the Ouachita Mountains

! scope="row"|Plantation Agriculture Museum

|| Lonoke || acres (5.9 ha) || 1985 || Horseshoe Lake || center|120px|alt=Two old buildings, the left an ornate brick façade in the Georgian style, the right a lean-to housing old, iron farm equipment || Former 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.

! scope="row"|Plum Bayou Mounds

|| Lonoke || acres (75 ha) || 1975 || Mound Pond || center|120px|alt=Two burial mounds rise above flat, green grass with a trees in the background. ||

! scope="row"|Poison Springs Battleground

|| Ouachita || acres (34 ha) || 1961 || None || center|120px|alt=Historic marker reading "Engagement at Poison Springs" in foreground of a forested area with rustic wooden pavilion in the background. || Preserves and commemorates the Battle of Poison Spring in the American Civil War, which was part of the 1864 Camden Expedition

! scope="row"|Powhatan

|| Lawrence || acres (3.7 ha) || 1970 || Black River || center|120px|alt=An old, two-story brick courthouse with third-story bell tower under a starry night sky. || Preserves a small nineteenth-century river port town on the Black River

! scope="row"|Prairie Grove Battlefield

|| Washington || acres (340 ha) || 1957 || None || center|120px|alt=Tall field stone column memorial flanked by United States and Confederate States of America flags surrounded by tall, leafy green trees. || Preserves 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.

! scope="row"|Queen Wilhelmina

|| Polk || acres (190 ha) || 1957 || None || center|120px|alt=Wooden two-story lodge with green roof, large field stone fireplace, double-decker porch facing a mountain vista. || Lodge 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.

! scope="row"|South Arkansas Arboretum

|| Union || acres (5.3 ha) || 1991 || None || || Arboretum and botanical garden owned by South Arkansas Community College with plants native to the Western Gulf Coastal Plain region.

! scope="row"|Village Creek

|| Cross, St. Francis || acres (2,796 ha) || 1972 || Lakes Austell and Dunn || center|120px|alt=A dirt trail, a remnant of the Memphis to Little Rock Road, along a depression in the earth, with large trees on either side casting shadows on the path ahead. || Large park in the eastern part of the state. Rises along Crowley's Ridge from the surrounding Arkansas Delta, includes lakes, twenty-seven-hole golf course, camping, and hiking. One trail follows the 1820s Memphis to Little Rock Road.

! scope="row"|White Oak Lake

|| Ouachita, Nevada || acres (293 ha) || 1961 || White Oak Lake || center|120px|alt=A skinny wooden trail continues ahead through a forest. || Lake in the woods on the border between Bottomland hardwood forest and loblolly pine forest with diverse wildlife. Camping, boating, fishing, and hiking are popular around the lake. Interpretative signs about the Red River Campaign in the area during the Civil War.

! scope="row"|Withrow Springs

|| Madison || acres (318 ha) || 1962 || War Eagle Creek || 120px ||

! scope="row"|Woolly Hollow

|| Faulkner || acres (150 ha) || 1973 || Lake Bennett || ||

Former parks

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"

|+ Former Arkansas state parks

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| Name

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| County

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| Size

! style="width:*10%" scope="col"| Estab- lished

! style="width:*10%" scope="col"| Decomm- issioned

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| River / lake

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| Supplanted by

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| Remarks

! scope="row"|Buffalo River State Park

||Marion || acres (14 ha) || 1938 || 1973 || Buffalo River || Buffalo National River ||

! scope="row"|Lost Valley State Park

||Newton || acres (110 ha) || 1966 || 1973 || Buffalo River || Buffalo National River || Canyon, cave, hiking trail, and waterfall along Clark Creek, a tributary of the Buffalo River

! scope="row"|Watson State Park

|| Jefferson || acres (40 ha) || 1937 || 1944 || Bayou Bartholomew || Private property || Donated by John Brown Watson for development as a state park for black people during segregation. Facilities were never developed and land was returned to his widow following court ruling the state had abandoned the park.

Other Properties

{|class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%"

|+ Other properties operated by Arkansas State Parks

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| Name

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| County

! style="width:*;" scope="col"| Size

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| River / lake

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| Image

! style="width:*;" class="unsortable" scope="col"| Remarks

! scope="row"|Lake Sylvia Recreation Area

||Perry || acres (81 ha) || Lake Sylvia || center|120px || A former girl scout camp and a former National Forest Campground, this park encompasses an 18-acre lake and offers camping, hiking, swimming, and interoperative programs. Arkansas State Parks took management operations in July 2021 and is operated under Pinnacle Mountain State Park.

! scope="row"|War Memorial Stadium

||Pulaski || acres (2.8 ha) || None || center|120px|alt=Historic house sits beside a road || A multi-purpose stadium in Little Rock, Arkansas. Operated by Arkansas State Parks since 2017.

References

External links

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Arkansas State Parks

Former parks

Other Properties

See also

References

External links

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