Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Harrisburg, AR
Lake Poinsett State Park Campground permits pets at all 30 campsites within its wooded shoreline setting. Both tent and RV campers can bring dogs to this small, shaded campground near Harrisburg, where each site includes water and electric hookups. Camping with pets requires leashed animals at all times throughout the park grounds, including on the 1.3-mile hiking trail that connects directly to the camping area. Craighead Forest Park in nearby Jonesboro also welcomes pets at its lakeside campsites, offering concrete parking pads with full hookups for RV campers and designated tent camping areas. Bathrooms and shower facilities at both parks remain well-maintained and clean, with Lake Poinsett's facilities being especially noteworthy for cleanliness according to multiple campers. Park hosts at Craighead Forest provide free firewood to camping guests and offer daily trash pickup directly from sites.
Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground, located 30 minutes north in Paragould, features pet-friendly cabins in addition to tent and RV sites where dogs can stay with their owners. The walking path around Craighead Forest Lake provides an excellent 2.4-mile route for exercising dogs, with the lake visible from several campsites. The maintained grass areas throughout Lake Poinsett create space for pets to explore while staying on leash. Campers should note that despite being lakeside campgrounds, swimming is not permitted at Lake Poinsett, though fishing opportunities exist for both humans and pets to enjoy shoreline time together. Village Creek State Park, within 40 minutes of Harrisburg, offers additional pet-friendly camping with more extensive trail systems for dog walking. Mosquitoes can be problematic at Lake Poinsett during summer months, so pet owners should pack appropriate insect repellent safe for both humans and animals when camping with dogs.