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State Parks - Alphabetical Listing of State Park Profiles
Don't let the term "natural state" confuse you. Arkansas does have some great natural state parks with some of the most scenic lakes and waterways in the country, however our state parks cater to all kinds. Want to go back in history? We got it. Want to be showered in luxury? We got that covered! Give Arkansas state parks a chance for your next vacation or day trip.
Cossatot River State Park
Cossatot River is known as the best whitewater float in mid-America. At the falls, the river drops 33 feet within a third of a mile. The translation of the park name is "skull crusher" and it was given that name for class 3-5 whitewater you'll find there.
Crater of Diamonds
This is the only site in the world where individuals can search for diamonds and keep any they find. During the peak season, the park has all kinds of amenities, but it's really mostly a 36-acre field where you can search for treasure.
Crowley's Ridge
If you like that rustic pioneer feeling, this is the park for you. Log cabins and beautiful rolling forests make this park special.
Degray Lake
If you want luxury, Degray has it in their beautiful lodge. The 13,000 acre lake is located on the Caddo River, in the foothills of the Ouchaita Mountains. You can find almost every type of outdoor recreation and wildlife Arkansas has to offer within a short distance.
Devil's Den State Park
Devils Den offers many hiking and backpacking trails and three horse trails. Backpackers can take a primitive trail hike, but must get a free permit before hiking in these areas. It also offers some of the nicest caverns in the state park system.
Favorite State and National Parks
Arkansas has about 50 state parks. It's hard to choose a favorite. We have a few great national parks too. With all these parks, it's almost impossible to visit every one. These are, in my opinion, the can't miss parks in Arkansas.
Jacksonsport
The main emphasis of Jacksonport State Park is the White River, and its history. The White River made Newport the place to be because of it's easy access to the water. Five different generals used the town as their headquarters during the Civil War.
Lake Dardanelle
The lake is a 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas river. The state park is actually more like two parks, with the visitor's center being located in Russellville, AR and another site in Dardanelle.
Lake Ouachita
Lake Ouachita is known by fishermen as the premier destination for crappie, bream, bass, catfish and trout. The fish love it for the clear waters. This is Arkansas' largest man-made lake and it stretches across 48,000 acres and has 975 miles of impressive mountainous shoreline.
Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase State Park marks junction of Lee, Monroe and Phillips counties preserves the initial point from which all surveys of the property acquired through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 initiated. It's a low amenities park, but pretty neat scenery.
Louisiana Purchase State Park in Mena
Photos of the monument to the Louisiana Purchase State Park in Little Rock, AR.
Mount Magazine
This is the highest peak in Arkansas, allowing you to view the Arkansas River Valley from heights of 2,753 feet. This park is great for fall colors viewing and one of the only places you can hang glide in Arkansas.
Ozark Mountain Folk Center
The Ozark Mountain Folk Center is not your typical state parks. It's a park of living history and heritage. Their goal to preserve and teach the history of the Ozarks, and they do this through live demonstrations and performances in a historical setting.
Park A Day 2008 Index
This was a feature that ran in 2008 to celebrate Arkansas State Parks. It has some information on Arkansas State Park history that is not found in other places on the site.
Petit Jean Mountain
Most people know Petit Jean because of the Cedar Creek falls, and that is a nice hike. However, there are more hikes to be found at Petit Jean and more scenic vistas. Mather Lodge has been recently renovated.
Pinnacle Mountain
Pinnacle Mountain makes a great day trip for those of us living in the urban jungle of Little Rock. It's just a short trip from Little Rock but the difference is striking. It's a great place to hike, and the park has educational activities almost every weekend.
Queen Wilhelmina
Once called the "Castle in the Sky" this lodge give breathtaking views of the Ouachita Valley. The park itself has camping, hiking trails and some of the most scenic panoramic views in Arkansas.
Toltec Mounds
The mounds are the remains of a large ceremonial and governmental complex inhabited from A.D. 600 to 1050, believed to be built by the Plum Bayou culture. It's a working archeological site, and pretty neat to view.