CRAIGHEAD FOREST PARK

An Outdoor Enthusiast's Dream

4910 South Culberhouse Road

Craighead Forest Park opened when the Young Men's Civic Club began work on the lake in 1937.  It is now a city-owned park that is situated in the scenic beauty of Crowley's Ridge.  This 692-acre park offers many recreational opportunities for the public to enjoy.
CAMPING The campground at Craighead Forest Park offers visitors a home-away-from-home atmosphere with rustic surroundings.  The park has 26 tree-shaded asphalt pads equipped with water, electrical outlets, picnic tables, fire rings, and grills, great for RV camping; and five tent campsites right on the edge of the lake, as well as a primitive camping area.  A central bathouse and waste evacuation station are also located near the campgrounds. (fees)
FISHING Fishing in the 60-acre Craighead Forest Lake is a favorite pastime of local residents and of campers who visit the park.  The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission stocks the lake with bass, bream, crappie, and tilapia.  Anglers can fish from the docks and jetties, or they can launch boats to fish on the lake.  Boats are allowed on the lake year round during daylight hours only.  A 5 mph speed limit and a "no wake" rule is enforced at all times.
FAMILY FISHING AREA The Family Fishing Area is located near Rotary Way.  With its location near Rotary Centennial Park and by being fully handicapped-accessible, the Family Fishing Area was created to help handicapped children enjoy outdoor recreation and fishing.  The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission stocks this area more heavily with brim, bass, and catfish, and they add trout in the winter and tilapia in the summer.  Anyone can fish in the Family Fishing Area as long as they have a child with them.
TRAILS Craighead Forest Park offers the outdoor enthusiast a brisk workout of any of the park's walking, hiking, or biking trails.  Approximately 15 miles of mountain bike trails weave through the forest, 2.4 miles of chat trail skirt the lake's edge, and 2.9 miles of paved road circle the park.  The park also offers an exclusive area for ATV riders, and many of the wooded trails also accommodate horses.  For a more complete nature experience, three trails lead to the Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center.
	PICNICS Scattered throughout the park are several spacious picnic areas.  Six large pavilions are available on a reservation basis for family reunions, corporate picnics or other group gatherings.  Please call (870) 933-4604 for fees and availability.  Eleven smaller pavilions are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
RECREATION Craighead Forest Park offers recreational areas for basketball, softball, horseshoes, volleyball, disc golf, and many other outdoor sports and games.  Special Events Park visitors may also find a variety of events, celebrations, and/or concerts in the park. Some of the more popular events in the park include: 4th in the Forest Labor Day Blues Fest (located at the band shell on Access # 6) Iron Will Mr. Trophy Triathlon Iron Will XC Triathlon (a Nissan Xterra Points Series race) Fergus Snoddy Half-Marathon
	ROTARY CENTENNIAL PARK Rotary Centennial Park, located on Rotary Way, is designed so that handicapped children can play alongside able-bodied friends.  The park not only includes a playground, but it also includes a bankshot basketball court and a splash pad.  Rotary Centennial Park was made possible by the three Rotary Clubs in Jonesboro (Rotary Club of Jonesboro, Rotary Club of Jonesboro - University, and Rotary Club of Jonesboro - Metro), and it was dedicated to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Rotary International.
CASTLE PLAYGROUND The castle playground, located at Access #3 of Craighead Forest Park, is a handicapped-accessible playground.  In this magical place, children can allow their imaginations to whisk them off to a time and place of kings, queens, knights, maidens, dragons, and ogres.
PARK GUIDELINES The park is open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. all year. All dogs must be on a leash. Campground quiet hours are from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. All vehicles must remain in designated areas or on paved roads. Boats are permitted on the lake from the boat launch all year during park hours with a 5-mph speed limit and a "no-wake" rule.