John F Kennedy Campground, near Heber Springs, Arkansas, is a fantastic spot for those looking to unwind by the Little Red River. With spacious campsites that offer a good amount of privacy, you can kick back and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding you.

This campground is open year-round and features electric hookups, making it a comfortable choice for both tent campers and RV enthusiasts. Visitors have raved about the clean facilities, including well-maintained bathrooms, and the peaceful atmosphere, especially in the sites near the entrance. One camper noted, “We had a great site by the river!” which highlights the appealing riverside experience here.

Fishing is a big draw, with easy access to trout fishing right from your campsite. The cool breeze off the river is a welcome relief during the summer heat, and many campers have enjoyed catching their dinner. If you're up for some adventure, there are hiking trails nearby, including the Collins Area Trail, perfect for stretching your legs and soaking in the scenery.

With a playground for the kids and plenty of shade from the trees, this campground is family-friendly and well-suited for all ages. Whether you're here for a quick weekend or a longer stay, John F Kennedy Campground offers a relaxing escape into nature.

## Overview

 John F. Kennedy Park is located on the Little Red River just downstream of Greers Ferry Dam in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of north-central Arkansas. In his last major appearance before his death, President John F. Kennedy stood on a flag-draped platform overlooking the just-completed Greers Ferry Dam and spoke of the prosperity the lake would bring to the region.Today, a million visitors flock yearly to the scenic waters for family camping, fishing, boating and hiking. 
## Recreation

 Greers Ferry Lake is an outdoor enthusiasts' dream, with boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, scuba diving and fishing opportunities. Hikers enjoy the area's three National Nature Trails and one multi-purpose, fitness trail.The William Carl Garner Visitor Center is just west of the dam, with exhibits, a children's touch table, and a replica of the world record 40 lb. 4 oz. brown trout caught in the Little Red River downstream of the center. 
## Natural Features

 A dense mix of red cedar, black gum, red oak, elm, pecan and sweet gum trees forest the area, providing shade in the summer months and beautiful fall colors in autumn. Wildlife is plentiful around Greers Ferry Lake. Visitors commonly see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels and a wide variety of birds. 
## Contact Info

 For local information, please call (501) 250-0481 or call (501) 362-2416 for general information. 
## Nearby Attractions

 With over 30,000 acres of water surface, the lake serves as a playground for all kinds of water sports. Eighteen parks around the shoreline provide modern campgrounds, boat ramps, swim areas and marinas. The Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery, in Heber Springs, located below the dam, offers free tours. Built in 1965, the hatchery produces about one million rainbow trout a year for restocking the Little Red and other Arkansas streams.

John F Kennedy

Searching for the best camping near Tumbling Shoals, AR? Tumbling Shoals is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Tumbling Shoals camping trip.

Tumbling Shoals

The Best Camping Near Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas

Very nice little campground just off Arkansas Hwy 25 by Greers Ferry Lake, Heber Springs, Arkansas.  Actually, many of the campsites are along the beginning of the Little Red River.  A lot of people were fishing here, and there is a fish hatchery here also, so better know the fishing regulations if fishing.  
Campsites are fine, at least partly shaded for many sites, not huge, but at a great location.
Nice short hiking trail along Collins Creek.  Thumbs up for this place.  Would be happy to hang out here again some day. 

camping and hiking at JFK Park Campground at Greers Ferry Lake, Heber Springs, Arkansas

I have camped here for years with my dad. The tent sites are always maintained well and the bathroom facilities are cleaned everyday! It's very close to the Little Red River and you can easily walk down to fish or walk to shore line if the dam isn't releasing water. That would be the one drawback to this camp site is when the dam releases water, the river rises a lot. I'm talking a good 5 feet. Which can make it difficult to fish or enjoy the river. However, there are hiking trails and the trout hatchery all in the same area, so you can find things to do no matter what the conditions. I have and will always continue to recommend this place to anyone that asks.

Fantastic!

Great campsite with close proximity to trout fishing and a beautiful lake.

Best campsite in ARkansas

Have camped here yearly for 30+ years and a piece of my heart will always be there. Camping near the river usually means way less mosquitos &amp; a lower temp than the lake side of the park.  I can’t give it 5 stars due to recent year deterioration with the bathhouses &amp; lack of improvements to the rv sites, mainly adding sewer hookups

great camping, right by the river next to The hatchery. great fishing and close to town. 

Great Place

_This spot is popular so get your reservations in! Some come as you go spots but they go quickly! Great fishing, Ckean, restrooms. We love this spot!_

Our favorite to go to camp ground!

Always love this place, I have come out every year for the better part of the last 10, and this year my wife joined... love the cooler temps by the river, the fly fishing, and the overall park and how well they manage the area 10/10 we always be a fan of this place.

amazing place

Well kept campground with easy access to trout fishing below the dam. The staff is friendly, the sites are very nice and your Keep America Beautiful pass will get you half price on your site!

Great campground below the dam on the Little Red River.  

Most spots are river view.. nice breezes 

Great spots and people

The location of this campground is incredible! So incredible, that I am trying to figure out a way to go every weekend! I am a river girl, so this is my heaven. The campground is broken up into different sections. The front sections A, B &amp; C are closer to the river and have better river views. We stayed in section D. There is about 100 yards of trees between you and the river, so I doubt you get river views during the summer, but you can see the river during leaf off. 

  

The bathrooms are older, but they were clean. Our site had electric and water hook ups. No sewer. 

  

You can access the river and trout fish right from the campground. This is also a day use area, so the boat ramp and fishing pier are pretty busy during the day. The fish hatchery is also on site and is worth stopping by and spending a few minutes here (free). 

  

The Collins Creek Trail is also accessible from the campground. No need to drive to the trailhead. Take the trail that starts where the bridge crosses from Section C to D closer to the back of the campground. It is worth the short hike. There was plenty of water flowing over the cascades during January, but I have been told that it is pretty dry during the Summer. 

  

If you are wanting to eat a local dinner, I highly recommend checking out Lindsey's Resort that is near by. I believe the restaurant is only open on the weekends. We went on a Friday night and did not have too long of a wait. The food was excellent!

I could live here!

Great campground on the bank of the Little Red River; a cold water, world class trout fishery. Great bath, picnic and fishing access.  USFWS trout hatchery on site. One of my favorite campgrounds.  Shady and cool in the hot Arkansas summer and protected from the wind for a great camping trip. 

One of my favorites   

Situated on the Little Red River well known for trout fishing.  Some sites have electricity and water, ours electricity only.  Great clean COE park.

Right on the Little Red River

Really enjoyed the cool temperatures by the river in the heat of the summer. We had a great site by the river!

Camping on the Little Red River

We loved this park! Our site was on the river, and the park is very clean and well maintained. There is ample spacing, and spacious patio areas with firepits. We had water and 30A electric (50A is available), the dump station is located at the park entrance. There was a group of tent camper’s across the road from us, adjacent to the warm and clean bath house (one of several in the park). The age range we observed was 20’s to 70’s, and several families with young children. There are also several potable water fill points. We will definitely return! 

We loved this park!

This is a great campground. The campsites are all good size, so you don’t feel like you are on top each other. There is also plenty of shade. We stay in D loop. And my husband and his family had been going there since he was young. So we decided to carry on the tradition. 

Awesome! 

Great spot for the heat of summer. Shady and a nice cool breeze off the cold little red! 

Perfect for trout fishing.

with good fishing and babbling Brooke running next to the campsites which were flat clean and far enough away from your neighbor to make it feel like you had privacy

My new happy place. 

Long haul ride on my motorcycle, the staff was great, scenery perfect, and fishing phenomenal.
I intended to stay one day ended up staying for four

Was good medicine

*   OPEN ALL YEAR
*   73 sites with electric
*   13 sites with water and electric
*   Reservation accepted (high season and weekend I would recommend)
*   Boat Ramp
*   Showers
*   Flush Toilets
*   Trash Can at each site
*   Fishing Dock
*   Playground
*   Lightpole

I, very seldom, hand out five star reviews but I couldn't help myself on this one.  It is not the amenities that can rate the five stars but the beauty and the natural aspect of the campground.  The sites are not right on top of each other but neither are they far apart.  Some of the sites back right up to the river, some of them are not on the river.  The sense of peace and a slow southern life style fits right in on the banks of the Little Red River and no it is not red.  It is a beautiful clear green where you may see the rocky bottom.

Without a lot fan fair since you have no clue, from the highway, that there is a campground at this location.  Not far off the road but you do not hear the traffic.  This campground is located below the dam so if you have fears of the dam breaking during the night I would not stay here.  If you don't have those fears I still ask you not to stay here to give the rest of us plenty of chances to book the best sites.  Before the Corp releases water they blow the horn to allow you to get out of the water prior to the release.  Be aware, very aware, because you may get swept away by the higher, swift water.

Directions are very simple since it is below the dam.  Coming from the Heber Springs area you will cross the dam and you will need to turn right at the second turn.  Follow the Fish Hatchery signs and then the campground signs.  We were there for two days and never saw the camp host.  There is a pay station if you do not have reservations.  If you do make it easy on your self and have your correct arrival date and check-in is not until 5 pm with check out at 4 pm.  Site is very clean and well maintained as are the bathrooms and showers.  Do wish all COE campgrounds would install high powered fans in bathrooms and showers.  When it is hot, it is hot in there.

The road in and in the campground is well paved.  Warning the road in is down the hill but not a steep steep hill.  Depends on what you are use to.  Once you arrive in the campground the terrain is flat.  You will find a dense variety of trees that offer an abundant amount of shade during the summer.  Expect a dew every morning and quite often a fog rising up from the river.  There is a wonderful hiking trail that is accessible from the campground the Collins Area Trail.

Arkansas is called "The Natural State" and after visiting the Greers Ferry area will you be in no doubt why.  Located in Cleburne County Arkansas.  The town is a typical small town in the state with less than one thousand people.  Founded over 50 years ago.  Greers Ferry is one of Arkansas leading tourist destinations.  There are over 30,000 acres of crystal clear water.  Rod or fly fish, swim, ski, boat, SUP, kayak, canoe take you pick of a variety of activities on the water.  You can also find a number of golf courses in the area. Hiking trails abound if you feel like stretching your legs.  Restaurants of all types, sizes, and prices if you don't want to cook. Antique and boutique shops are for anyone that is still searching for something to do.  If you haven't been to a fish hatchery check out the one right next to the campground.  Actually if you are camped in section A you can sit in your lawn chair and watch them feed the fish in the outdoor tanks.  Normally, hand in hand, with a dam you will find a fish hatchery.  When the lake forms behind the dam and water builds it changes the temperature and natural habitat for the water creatures.  This hatchery was established in 1965 to produce rainbow trout for restocking the cold tailwaters below the Greers Ferry Dam

Greers Ferry, the town, was named after the dam and lake that were constructed between 1959 and 1964.  When the lake formed it displaced the local citizens from older small settlements and communities in the area.  The community has moved in step to become a major tourist mecca drawn by the bountiful, clear, sparkling water.  The Corp established a plethora of campgrounds.  

  

*   LNT 
*   Leave it Better Than When You Found It
*   Stay Safe and Happy Travels

Five Star Fantastic

We had a nice spot along the road overlooking the river. The site was level and spacious. Cell service (Visible) was 1 bar and 2 using the signal booster. There is about a mile to bike inside the park so a nice 2 mile loop. Great river access for trout fishing. Aluminum can was the only recycling offered, garbage cans at each site. We didn’t have water hook up, some sites do. We’d probably stay in Loop D next time.

Riverside camping

Camped on the river Good patient Hey Wi-Fi service It was OK camp the way from the river during the day Would take grandson up to late for snorekling great trip

Great camping with grandson

Spent the week starting July 4th here . A work /vacay trip . Enjoyed the cool breeze off the Little Red River . Caught a few trout for our must have trout tacos that makes every trip to a trout stream complete . Standard campsites for the area . Bathrooms and Shower were mostly clean . We stayed near the entrance across from the Hatchery and it’s much quieter here than in the back of the campground . Fairly large campsites .

Photos of John F Kennedy

Real photos from real campers