Sitting atop forested Northeast Arkansas hills, 100 to 200 feet above the fertile plains of the Delta in eastern Arkansas, on a unique geological formation is Crowley’s Ridge State Park, a nature lover’s dream. Located about nine miles southwest of Paragould, Arkansas, this 291-acre state park, with its rich history, is a wonderful RV holiday destination.
Crowley’s Ride State Park features facilities such as 26 campsites (18 standard RV campsites and eight tent sites), bunk cabins for group lodging, duplex cabins with kitchens and fireplaces, a rustic cabin with kitchen, picnic areas, hiking trails, pavilions, a 31-acre fishing lake, three and a half-acre swimming area, boat dock and ramp, fishing pier, basketball and volleyball courts, a trailer dump station, playgrounds, an amphitheater, bath houses and restrooms, a cemetery, parking lots, as well as a Visitor Center. All the standard RV campsites in the park are equipped with electric and water hookups, while one of the campsites is ADA accessible.
Activities for RV campers at Crowley’s Ridge State Park include hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, kayaking, bird and butterfly viewing, picnicking, and interpretive programs. Campers never miss out on fun at the park.
Crowley’s Ridge State Park was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) beginning in 1933, establishing it as one of the six original state parks in Arkansas. Today, those original native stone and wood structures create a setting of rustic serenity among the natural surroundings.
Crowley’s Ridge State Park is an easily accessible park located 15 miles north of Jonesboro on Arkansas 141, and nine miles west of Paragould on U.S. 414, then two miles south on Arkansas 168. As a result, the park is easy to access either by RVs, trailers, or cars. Local paved and unpaved roads exist within the park connecting various points of interest. The unpaved roads in the park are restricted to foot traffic only.
Crowley’s Ridge State Park is replete with parking areas for RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles with well more than 15 parking lots, offering various options for RV campers at the park. You’ll find parking lots around the fishing pier, basketball court, boat ramp, CCC Pavilion, Visitor Center, Campground, Picnic Area, as well as around the Pavilions in the park. Overnight parking is available for RV campers in the park.
There are no public transportation facilities available at Crowley’s Ridge State Park.
Loop B in Crowley’s Ridge State Park features 18 standard campsites available for RVs and tents. One of the campsites is ADA accessible. All the campsites in Loop B are shaded and equipped with electric and water hookups for RVs. RV length limit at the Loop is 118 feet. A bath house is available in the campground with a restroom nearby. Picnic tables and fire grills are also available. The road within the campground is paved.
Crowley’s Ridge State Park offers amazing hiking opportunities for RV campers, with four trails (Dancing Rabbit Trail, Lake Ponder Trail, Walcott Lake Trail, and Spider Creek Trail) available in the park.
The 1.25-mile moderately difficult Dancing Rabbit Trail, named by the Native American who once inhabited the park, leads hikers along a deep gulley formed in the past by erosion, over a swinging bridge, and loops back to the visitor center. Lake Ponder trail, a 0.45-mile easy trail offers campers the opportunity to view the plants of Crowley's Ridge from a rustic-style boardwalk and stone overlook. The half-mile easy Walcott Lake trail sitting stop the Walcott Lake offers hikers the chance to view shorebirds as well as the best vantage point to view the park's bat condo. The 1-mile Spider Creek trail features a diversity of plant and animal life, with abundant wildflowers in spring.
All trails are day-type and limited to foot traffic only.
The 31-acre Walcott Lake in Crowley’s Ridge State Park offers RV campers and visitors wonderful opportunities to catch trophy-size largemouth bass, catfish, and other stocked fish. With a barrier-free fishing pier, all campers and visitors have unrestricted fishing access.
In addition, the designated swimming areas on the three and a half-acre Lake Ponder in Crowley’s Ridge State, one of the most popular swimming areas in Arkansas, offer RV campers memorable swimming experiences. Visitors and RV campers either refresh themselves in the cool, spring-fed waters of the lake or relax in the sun on the sandy beach. A playground and beach volleyball court, adjacent to the swimming beach, are added facilities that enhance the recreation experience at the beach.
RV campers enjoy boating at Crowley’s Ridge State Park on both the Walcott Lake and Lake Ponder. With or without their boats, RV campers do not miss out on the fun because boat rental facilities are available in the park. A portion of Lake Ponder is designated for the use of pedal boats and kayaks, while only electric motors are allowed on the Walcott Lake. Fishing boats, pedal boats and kayaks are available for rent at the Visitor Center.
Crowley’s Ridge State Park features abundant bird species within various habitats that offer bird lovers on RV holiday at the park wonderful views at various times of the year. The park offers both individual birding opportunities, as well as group birding (organized or impromptu) opportunities. Bird species at the park include herons, egrets, ibises, vultures, swans, geese, ducks, grouse, turkey, quail, pigeons, doves, and owls.
The various butterfly species at the park also thrill butterfly enthusiasts on vacation at Crowley’s Ridge State Park.
Besides the scenic beauty of the park, Crowley’s Ridge features picnic areas furnished with tables and grill for individual and group picnic activities. The wonderful scenery of the park offers interesting backdrops for RV campers who wish to enjoy outdoor meals with friends and/or family. Group pavilions are also available in the park.
Crowley’s Ridge State Park features various interpretive programs for RV campers and visitors including guided hikes, nature talks, historic presentations, demonstrations, and evening programs. Some of the programs at the park are specifically designed for children, school groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, civic organizations, church groups, and any other interested groups.
