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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.
"Another great Arkansas State Park! The campground is small, but the sites are nice. Arkansas has some of the best bathhouses as well!"
"Really enjoy camping at lake Poinsett. The campground is mostly shady with water and electric at each site. There is no sewer hook up but a dump station is next to the visitor center."
"Excellent weekend camping at Craighead Forest State Park outside Jonesboro, Ar."
"Craighead Forest Park was conceived in 1937 when the Young Mens' Civic Club began work on the lake. It is now a city owned park that is located in the rolling hills of Crowley's Ridge. "
"There are nearly 100 sites here at Village Creek State Park. They are Spacious, paved and well maintained."
"This park was stunning the drive though a little narrow at times was scenic from the drive to the RV site. Pull Through with own area not to close to other sites."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Nice quiet RV Park with tall shade trees and in a good location. Full hook-ups. Level sites. Nice owner. Good prices."
"The facilities were very clean and near to the sites. So impressed with how Arkansas State Parks are maintained- we were pleased!"
"Two Lakes, several trails, a "spring" and plenty of camping options."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"The campground is generally more expensive than the other surrounding camping spots in the area. However, the camp is very nice."
"Took our brand new RV here for its shakedown trip the very day I picked up as it is so close to home. Was pleasantly surprised by the overall atmosphere of the campground."
from $28 - $27 / night
Check Availability"Easy exit I called reservations were easy to make and when I got there everything was set. I extended my stay and that was incredibly smooth."
"There is a dog park, horseshoes and cornhole. They offer daily breakfast and lunch and will deliver site made pizza to your camper. They also have a community garden.Very close to Memphis."
"Lake Frierson State Park is a nice stop off on the way to Jonesboro Arkansas. Nice trails, water recreation and quiet. The campground is small. 7 sites near one of the boat ramps."
"The sites are nice and have great views of the lake. For those of you with RV’s beware that there is no sewer dump station here."
TravelerIt’s incredibly easy to find right off 55. Easy exit I called reservations were easy to make and when I got there everything was set. I extended my stay and that was incredibly smooth. Very impressed they have breakfast and dinner + they deliver right to ur site! My dog LOVES the dog park ~ the swimming pool looks nice and showers bathrooms are some of the best I’ve seen since Michigan Highly recommend!
GuideSmall but clean. Very friendly staff. There are plenty of trees for shade. Nice pool, bathrooms and rec room. The laundry room is large and air conditioned. There is a dog park, horseshoes and cornhole. They offer daily breakfast and lunch and will deliver site made pizza to your camper. They also have a community garden.Very close to Memphis. The only downside is it has quite a bit of road traffic noise and a strange side road entrance.1
ScoutSo far so good, great views of the Mississippi River and the freight boats coming in. Wished they would add a dog park !
GuideOk for a night. Easy 15 min drive to downtown Memphis for sightseeing. In a low lying area and it had rained earlier in the week. Campground very wet. Lots of puddles and muck. Should have used the gravel pile at the back of the campground to fill in potholes. Bathhouse clean but in a slight state of disrepair like loose toilets. Amenities included pool, playground, store, cafe, dog park, horseshoes, beanbag, ladder ball, bikes. Staff very nice.
LegendAnother great Arkansas State Park! The campground is small, but the sites are nice. Arkansas has some of the best bathhouses as well! There is a really nice playground and also a walking trail that you can access from the campground.
The lake has finally been repaired and they have begun the refill process after is has been dry for several years.
The town of Harrisburg is close by in case you need to make a store run or grab some food. There is a small store here at the park, but it was closed while we were here, so I’m not sure how much stuff they have to offer.
LegendExcellent weekend camping at Craighead Forest State Park outside Jonesboro, Ar.
The park offers four trails, one gravel pedestrian only, one paved multi-use with excercise equipment, a forest trail and one dirt trail for bikers and runners. Three large playgrounds, pavilions and several small playgrounds. A dog park/beach access area and dog dock. Fishing and watercraft access. Camping and a nature center.
When we arrived at the campground we had the choice of several primitive campsites. There is limited parking in the small gravel lot. There are three sites near the lot and then several others about 200 to 300 ft down the gravel trail.
This is the same gravel trail, approximately 3 miles long, that circles the lake. Needless to say there is a lot of foot traffic on it.
There was plenty of room at the site. We set up two tents and a hammock plus had the picnic table, fire pit and gravel pad which is right on the lake. If you bring your fishing gear or water craft it’s easy to tie off right at your campsite.
Directly across from primitive camping are two very large , active playgrounds a pavilion and restroom. There’s a snow cone vendor with loud music who frequents that parking area too. In addition the park is not closed during the night so we got to listen to several loud conversation, music blaring from a car stereo until about 1:30am and a rather colorful argument at one point.
You drive through the RV area on your way in to the primitive area. There is a nice new bathroom facility with uncomfortably warm cranking heat, the metal fixtures were warm to the touch. One drawback to there being only one restroom about 1/4 mile from the primitive area, you know people aren’t walking that far at night when the need to go…, just saying.
So Pros: centrally located, water access, nice trails, good size sites, a lot to do
Cons: foot traffic, noise, no privacy, noise, not limited access
GuideThis spot we stayed at just overnight. Way out in the country, very quiet. No service; if you’re traveling full time and need internet connection. We had a strange experience with a local speeding by and his dog was loose running side by side with the vehicle; drove up and down this road a couple of times and felt bad for the dog — he had a collar but seemed like he can just roam free. It was odd. Just fyi if you have pets! There are only 3 spots here and one is a memorial for a woman who passed away. MOSQUITO CITY, bring bug spray!
LegendPROS
Senior discount
No fee assessed to make on-line reservations
Quiet
light view of lake from #57
Site 57 has no site next to it or behind it
Good distance between campsites
Dark sky friendly except for sites near toilet/shower facilities where there is an actual street light
Climate controlled toilet/shower facility in campground B
Both campground B toilet/shower facilities very clean with ample supply of TP, soap and paper towels
Wood picnic table (on concrete pad), pedestal BBQ grill, metal fire ring with cooking grate and metal lantern hook
Wide roadway in campground B
Small playground
Access to lake swimming area from campground B
Trash receptacles at toilet/shower facility
Lots of deer
Smaller Walmart in Wynne AR
Pops Grill in Wynne real good
CONS
County burn ban in place upon arrival but no signage anywhere alerting of ban. We saw the Arkansas burn ban website and inquired upon checkin if it was enforced and park clerk affirmed ban but we saw many campers had a wood fire burning all the time. So without any signage we understand the confusion and noncompliance. Park should at least place burn ban signage at campground entrance.
Site 57 unlevel side-to-side
No cell service.
No public phone in park.
Parks signage states WiFi at park visitor center could be used to make phone calls. We found this not true with our T-MOBILE service as we purposely went to the visitor center to make a WIFI call. There is WIFI at visitors center but only one bar and too weak to transmit a call. So if there is an emergency after visitor center is closed and you need to make a call, good luck, as there is no public phone nor any camp hosts. We drove approximately 8 miles towards Wynne to get sufficient cell signal to make calls and connect with internet.
Only free WiFi is at park visitor center. We purchased WiFi from park vendor Viasat $20 unlimited for 3 days for one device. Viasat delivered a good signal within 200 ft of toilet/shower facility so it was useless in our campsite#57. Don’t waste your money! Sewer connection at rear of site pad so bring the looooong stinky slinky!
Pets not kept on leash
No security gate closure overnight
TravelerWe stopped for one night and it was a great stay. Super clean and easy concrete pull through spot. We had a nice view of the Mississippi River even though we were in the second row. Pet friendly!
Lake Poinsett State Park offers camping on Crowley's Ridge, a unique geological formation rising 100 to 300 feet above the flat Delta region. This wooded area near Harrisburg sits at approximately 400 feet above sea level with average summer temperatures reaching into the 90s. The park's trails connect directly to camping areas, making it convenient for pet owners looking to explore the surrounding woodlands while camping with their furry friends.
Fishing opportunities: At Lake Poinsett State Park, fishing has resumed after lake repairs. "The lake has finally been repaired and they have begun the refill process after is has been dry for several years," notes a visitor in January 2022. Fishing is catch and release only for most species following the lake reopening.
Hiking trails: Village Creek State Park offers extensive trail systems, including a well-preserved section of the Trail of Tears. "There is a particularly stunning trail that includes one of the most well-preserved sections of the Trail of Tears. This made for both a lovely hike and a history lesson for our seven year old," one camper shares.
Golf course access: For campers who enjoy golfing during their outdoor adventures, some parks in the region offer this amenity. "Three camping areas, two lakes with boat rentals, 6 cabins, and a gorgeous 27 hole golf course," reports a camper about Village Creek State Park's diverse recreational offerings.
Clean facilities: The bathhouse facilities at Lake Poinsett State Park Campground receive high marks from visitors. "Arkansas has some of the best bathhouses as well!" writes one camper. Another notes, "Shower house/bathroom cleaned and well maintained," highlighting the park's commitment to cleanliness.
Free firewood: At Craighead Forest Park, campers appreciate the complimentary firewood. "Free fire wood and trash pickup at your site!" remarks one happy visitor, making this amenity particularly attractive for campers who enjoy campfires without the added expense of purchasing wood.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. "The maintained grass areas throughout Lake Poinsett create space for pets to explore while staying on leash," and campers report seeing various birds and small animals during their stays, particularly during morning and evening hours.
Mosquito preparation: Insects can be problematic at certain times of year. "The only drawback that I can think of was the mosquitos," notes a Lake Poinsett visitor. This reflects seasonal patterns typical of the Delta region, particularly during warmer months.
Limited cell service: Some parks in the region have spotty connectivity. At Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, "we had 0 service anywhere near our campsite. Nice to disconnect for a night, but plan accordingly," advises a camper who stayed there in February 2021.
Lake conditions: Lake Poinsett has specific fishing regulations after reopening. "Fishing is catch and release only except for Catfish and Brim due to recently reopening the lake," a Memorial Day weekend camper explains. Knowing current lake conditions helps set appropriate expectations for water activities.
Playground access: Crowley's Ridge State Park Campground offers excellent recreational facilities for children. "There is a nice clean bathhouse and outside the campground is an all season pavilion. In the pick nick are the children have a playground," notes a Lake Poinsett visitor, making it ideal for families with younger children.
Swimming options: Some parks feature dedicated swimming areas during warmer months. "The lake area is beautiful with a small spring fed waterfall, a swim beach area and even a slide into the water," reports a Crowley's Ridge visitor, though swimming availability varies by park and season.
Educational opportunities: Parks in the region offer learning experiences for young campers. "The park has over 30 miles of equestrian trails and is a popular destination for horse owners," mentions a Village Creek visitor, adding that nature centers with displays of local wildlife can be found at several parks.
Site dimensions: For larger recreational vehicles, selecting the right site is crucial. "Sites were not the fartherest apart, but each was very spacious. Large level gravel sites with water, but no sewer," notes a Lake Poinsett visitor, emphasizing the importance of checking site specifications when booking.
Hookup availability: Memphis KOA provides full hookup sites for RVs. "The most Level site in our 6k mile trip," shares one RVer who appreciated the convenience of the well-maintained facilities. Understanding available hookups helps campers plan accordingly for their stay.
Dump station locations: RV campers should note that while sewer hookups aren't available at all sites, dump stations are accessible. "There is no sewer hook up but a dump station is next to the visitor center," explains a Lake Poinsett camper, providing essential information for planning longer stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Harrisburg, AR?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Harrisburg, AR is Lake Poinsett State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Harrisburg, AR?
TheDyrt.com has all 24 dog-friendly camping locations near Harrisburg, AR, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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