SUMMER FUN GUIDE – JonesboroRightNow.com – Arkansas is the Natural State, and Northeast Arkansas has no shortage of all-natural beauty for you and your family and friends to take in and enjoy. Below is a roundup of parks and places to swim across Jonesboro and NEA, including each place’s address, contact information, and what each offers. If available, a map of the state park is provided.
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CRAIGHEAD FOREST PARK • 4910 S. Culberhouse Road, Jonesboro • 870-933-4604
Craighead Forest Park is a 692-acre park owned and operated by the City of Jonesboro. It offers a variety of outdoor activities, including biking and running trails, camping, disc golf, fishing, playgrounds, and more. It has about 13 miles of mountain biking trails of varying skill levels, a 2.4-mile trail that circles the lake, and 3.2 miles of paved roads.
It also has a splash pad, open daily from May 27 to Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer.
Expand for a map of Craighead Forest Park
LAKE FRIERSON STATE PARK • 7904 AR-141, Jonesboro • 870-932-2615
Lake Frierson State Park sits on the shores of Lake Frierson and offers several places to camp, fish, and boat. It has seven campsites, picnic tables, a fishing pier, a visitor center with nature exhibits, and more. Fishing boats and kayaks can be rented.
It is the home of Dogwood Lane Trail, a 0.5-mile hiking trail lined with dogwood trees leading to the visitor center.
Expand for a map of Lake Frierson State Park
CROWLEY’S RIDGE STATE PARK • 2092 Highway 168 North, Paragould | 870-573-6751
Scattered across Crowley’s Ridge State Park are log and stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It is home to 26 campsites, five bunk cabins for groups, picnic areas, hiking trails, a 31-acre lake for fishing, and a 3.5-acre swimming area. Kayak rentals are available.
Five hiking trails, all limited to foot traffic, can be found in the park. The Dancing Rabbit Trail is a 1.22-mile, moderately difficult trail that starts on the east side of the visitor center and loops back around. Spider Creek Trail is a 0.75-mile trail that begins at the southern end of the picnic area and also returns to its starting point.
The Amphitheater Trail is a 0.1-mile trail that begins behind Pavilion #3 and ends at the Amphitheater. The Lake Ponder Barrier-Free Trail is a 0.45-mile trail starting and ending at the Civilian Conservation Corps pavilion. The Walcott Lake Trail is a 0.5-mile trail beginning south of the fishing pier and ending at the group lodging area.
Lake swimming is open seasonally, beginning Memorial Day weekend and continuing through Labor Day weekend. The lake is open for swimming Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Information about the Summer Splash Aqua Park at Crowley’s Ridge State Park is available in the “Swimming Holes and Pools” section below.
Expand for a map of Crowley’s Ridge State Park
LAKE POINSETT STATE PARK • 5752 State Park Lane, Harrisburg • 870-578-2064
This park includes boat rentals, picnic tables, an open field for ball games, hiking trails, and kayak tours. The park also has 29 campsites.
LAKE CHARLES STATE PARK • 3705 Highway 25, Powhatan • 870-878-6595
The 645-acre lake contains bass, crappie, bream, and catfish. The park offers 55 campsites, many of which are on the water, as well as a yurt.
Lake Charles State Park boasts four hiking trails. The Butterflies and Blooms Trail is an easy 0.33-mile trail beginning across from the visitor center. Cedar Trail is another easy trail, beginning at the swimming beach parking area and 0.75 miles long.
Mockernut Trail is 0.75 miles, begins across from the playground, and is described as easy/moderate in difficulty. Finally, the White Oak Trail, which is moderate in difficulty, begins at the end of the Butterflies and Blooms Trail and is 1.5 miles.
Expand for a map of Lake Charles State Park
DAVIDSONVILLE HISTORIC STATE PARK • 8047 Highway 166 South, Pocahontas • 870-892-4708
This park features a recreation of Davidsonville, which is where Arkansas’s first courthouses and post offices stood. Additionally, the visitor center features artifacts and tours about the site’s history. The park is near the Black River and a fishing lake, and includes trails, picnic areas, and 24 campsites.
The Historic Townsite Trail is a 0.33-mile loop that begins just past the entrance to the pavilions. It is easy in difficulty and takes visitors across what was once the town square of Davidsonville. The Scott Cemetery Trail is a 0.5-mile trail that begins past the pavilions and leads visitors to a post-Civil War cemetery.
Trapper Lake Trail is a 1-mile loop that begins north of the visitor center and is moderately difficult. The Black River Trail is a 1.5-mile loop that begins west of the Historic Town Trail and is of moderate difficulty. All trails are limited to foot traffic only.
Expand for a map of Davidsonville Historic State Park
VILLAGE CREEK STATE PARK • 201 County Road 754, Wynne • 870-238-9406
This nearly 7,000-acre park has 33 miles of trails, campgrounds with bathhouses, two lakes, and more. It also includes a section of the Trail of Tears that visitors can walk, as well as a 27-hole championship golf course.
For hiking, the park has multiple trails. The easiest is Arboretum Trail, which is 0.25 miles and has an easy difficulty. Austell Trail has a moderate difficulty and is 2.24 miles long. It begins at the visitor center. The Big Ben Nature Trail is a 0.5-mile, moderate-difficulty hike that begins and ends at the visitor center.
The Military Road Trail preserves part of the Trail of Tears. It has an easy-to-moderate difficulty and is 2.25 miles long. The Lake Dunn Trail has a moderate difficulty and is 2.77 miles long. Part of this trail is accessible to cyclists, with that section being blazed in white.
Expand for a map of Village Creek State Park
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JONESBORO POOLS
The City of Jonesboro’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains two swimming pools, with their addresses listed below:
- Parker Park Pool: 1506 N. Church St., Jonesboro
- Jonesboro Pool and Recreation Center: 1421 W. Nettleton Ave., Jonesboro
Open swim hours are 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Children aged 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older, and one adult is required for every three children. Patrons aged 16-17 can enter alone but cannot supervise children.
Pricing information is below:
Mondays through Thursdays:
- Seniors (55+): $3
- Adults (16 to 54): $4
- Kids (4 to 15): $3
- Ages 3 and Under: Free
- Family of Four: $12
Fridays through Sundays:
- Seniors (55+): $3
- Adults (16 to 54): $6
- Kids (4 to 15): $4
- Ages 3 and Under: Free
- Family of Four: $15
ALLEN PARK SPLASH PAD • 3609 Race St., Jonesboro • 870-933-4604
Making its home at Allen Park, the splash pad offers some water fun after playing on the playground.
It is closed Monday through Friday and is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
PARAGOULD POOLS • 3404 Linwood Drive, Paragould • 870-239-7530
The Paragould Waterpark is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. It has picnic areas, a splash pad, waterfall towers, pools for lounging and kiddie pools, 2-story waterslides, and a 12-foot dive pool. Admission is $10 per person.
In addition, the City of Paragould’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains the indoor aquatic center, which is open year-round to members. It features a competition lap pool with eight lanes and a heated therapy pool. These pools are strictly for lap swimming, exercise, training, and therapy. To become a member, click here.
The indoor aquatic center is open Monday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is open on Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SUMMER SPLASH AQUA PARK • 2092 AR-168 North, Paragould • 870-393-6448
Open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. until Labor Day, this inflatable, floating waterpark sits on the waters of Lake Ponder at Crowley’s Ridge State Park. It includes launch blobs, jumping platforms, a rock wall, and more.
A 1-hour session costs $19.99, a 4-hour session is $29.99, and a full-day session is $39.99. All-day swimming costs $5, or $4 for children aged 2-5. Children under 2 get in free. Season passes are available. More information about pricing can be found here.
WALNUT RIDGE CITY POOL • 1102 NE Second St., Walnut Ridge • 870-886-6638
The pool’s hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Admission is $2 per person. Swimming lessons are $40 per session and will be held June 15-19 from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. They are for ages 3-10.
Additionally, water aerobics classes will begin June 8 and will be held every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. They are $4 per class and must be paid via cash or check.
POCAHONTAS AQUATIC CENTER • 300 Geneva Drive, Pocahontas • 870-202-2522
The City of Pocahontas operates the waterpark at the Aquatic Center, which is open seven days a week from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Entry fees are $6 for adults, $5 for members, and $4 for children. It includes waterslides, a kiddie pool, a jacuzzi, an adult pool, and a dive pool.
In addition, the indoor center has a heated therapy pool and an eight-lane competition pool. The center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Memberships are available, and nonmembers can use the facility, provided they pay a guest pass fee and are accompanied by a member. For more information, click here.
