Craighead Forest Park
4.8(2.4K)google
4.9(16)yelp
Nature
Overview
Jonesboro () is a city in the U.S. state of Arkansas. Located on Crowley's Ridge in the northeastern part of the state, it is one of two county seats of Craighead County. The population was 78,579 at the 2020 census, and was estimated at 84,155 in 2026, making it the fifth-most populous city in Arkansas.
Practical Info
Mon6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tue6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wed6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thu6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Fri6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sun6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-4 hours
Best TimeMid-October to early November brings spectacular deep crimson and gold canopies to this coastal forest. The finest hours are 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM; low-angle sunset rays turn the 60-acre Craighead Forest Lake into a fiery orange mirror, providing a scenic setting to walk the shoreline trails as wild waterfowl settle in.
Getting ThereSituated in southern Jonesboro at 4910 Craighead Forest Rd. Drive south from the I-555 loop taking Exit 42 (South Caraway Rd). Proceed south for 2.5 miles, make a right turn west onto Craighead Forest Rd directly into the park grounds. Dozens of paved, complimentary parking loops encircle the lake.
Travel Tips
- Swimming and wading in Lake Craighead are restricted to the southern designated beach baseline. Peak summer heat indices from July to September trigger recurring toxic blue-green algae blooms; if red advisory flags are raised, all water contact is fully illegal.
- The wooded singletrack network enforces inflexible one-way directional routing over blind ridge corners. Pedestrians are comprehensively barred from entering tracks marked 'Bikes Only'; trekking counter-flow invites high-velocity impacts and liability lawsuits.
- The camping loops feature finite 50-amp connections with remaining pedestals capped at 30 amps; overloading breaker panels is an offense. Rigid quiet hours govern from 10:00 PM to 06:00 AM nightly, during which running loud gasoline generators triggers immediate eviction.
Reviews
Positive
- A crown jewel park in Jonesboro! Boasting massive acreage, a picturesque central lake, and perfectly shaded walking paths around the water.
- The recreational facilities are stellar, offering a premier disc golf course, dedicated ATV tracks, and a well-maintained dog park.
- Features an exceptional, state-of-the-art all-inclusive playground for children of all abilities, fully padded with premium safety tiles.
- Infrastructure is top-notch, providing plentiful clean public restrooms and lakeside picnic pavilions with stone grills, all for free entrance.
Heads up
- Sunny weekend afternoons bring massive city-wide crowds, causing the lakeside lawns and picnic areas to become heavily congested and loud.
- Because ATVs and motorized bikes are allowed on specific perimeter paths, engine revving noises can sometimes bleed into the quiet lake zones.
- During peak late summer heat, the stagnant lake water is prone to surface duckweed and minor algae buildup that emits a mild swampy odor.
- The park has endless intersecting woodland paths, but rustic signs on deeper trails are weathered, making it easy for newcomers to get turned around.