Woolly Hollow State Park
4.7(1.3K)google
4.3(9)yelp
Nature
Overview
Woolly Hollow State Park is a 370-acre (150 ha) Arkansas state park in Faulkner County, near Greenbrier, Arkansas in the United States. The park was built and is based on a dam lake, Bennett Lake, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) located at nearby Camp Halsey and Works Progress Administration (WPA) beginning in 1933. Access to the park is available from Arkansas Highway 285.
Practical Info
Mon8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeSummer from June to September is top-tier for sandy beach swimming and kayak rentals, while October delivers premium trail hiking under golden foliage. Late afternoon from 4:00 PM to 7:30 PM is spectacular; the setting sun creates long pine shadows over Lake Bennett and lights up the historic 1930s CCC-built stone spillway dam.
Getting ThereLocated northeast of Greenbrier at 82 Woolly Hollow Rd. From Little Rock, take I-40 N to Conway, merge onto US-65 N straight into Greenbrier, then make a right turn onto AR-285 N. Follow the scenic rural state highway north for 7 miles straight into the park's gated pay station, offering expansive lakeside lots.
Travel Tips
- During peak summer humidity (July - September), the swimming waters of Lake Bennett are prone to sudden neurotoxic blue-green algae infestations. If red advisory flags fly at the ranger shack, all swimming, kayak rentals, and dog wading are suspended.
- The 9.4-mile Enders Fault singletrack introduces sharp shale drops, technical switchbacks, and loose rock fields. Cyclists must track according to daily directional rotations and wear certified safety helmets; the dense timber creates an absolute cellular blindspot.
- The park's loops cannot physically handle travel trailers exceeding 30 feet in total length due to turning radii. Electrical systems cap out at 30 amps; quiet hours are rigidly enforced from 10:00 PM to 06:00 AM; violations trigger midnight eviction.
Reviews
Positive
- Features the crystal-clear and peaceful Lake Bennett, which bans motorized boats, making it pristine for kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing.
- The scenic Huckleberry loop trail winds beautifully through dense mature forests and creeks, offering moderate difficulty and crisp trail signs.
- Boasts a manicured sandy public swimming beach that attracts local families with kids for lakeside splash fun under excellent safety supervision.
- The campgrounds are luxurious, with full utility hookups at each site, supported by public shower houses with hot water kept spotlessly clean.
Heads up
- During peak July/August summer weekends, local crowds heavy influx makes the sandy beach space intensely packed and noisy.
- While park entry itself is completely free, renting watercraft and accessing specific beach zones require extra small secondary fees.
- The location is somewhat remote, requiring a drive down long, twisting country roads off the highway that lack overhead lighting at night.
- Encircled by dense rustic wilderness wetlands, trailside brush gets heavily infested with annoying chiggers and wood ticks during summer.