Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Osceola, AR

Excellent 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

Tom Sawyer's RV Park offers a unique camping experience on the Mississippi River with a mix of pros and cons suika game. Visitors praise the beautiful river views, spacious sites, and pet-friendly policies, as well as convenient amenities like free laundry facilities. However, recurring issues include basic or outdated bathroom facilities, limited tent camping options, and inconsistent site maintenance. Overall, it's a great choice for short stays, particularly for those with RVs, looking to enjoy scenic riverfront views and the charm of tugboat traffic.

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.  The park encompasses 692 acres and should be the pride and joy of Jonesboro.  A residential area has grown around the park which will ensure the peacefulness of the area.  Basketball, bike and running trails, bird watching, camping, disc golf, fishing, horseshoes, playgrounds, softball, volleyball.  There is a great splash pad for the kids.  This place has it all rolled into one great package.  The grass and wooded areas are well maintained to make for a wonderful stay.

• 5 tent sites
• A primitive camping area
• Electrical outlets
• Fire rings
• Picnic Tables,
• Water
• Tolilet and shower facilities
• Laundry facilities
• 41 sites with water and electric
• Dump station
• Reduced rates for seniors
• Free firewood
• Pets They have a dog jumping pier

This is a small, compact campground on a one lane road with a nice turn around at the bottom at the lake.  Some sites are called water sites but I consider them sites with a view of the water.  Most sites are level, some not, so when you reserve ask for one of the sites that has the new concrete pads.  The campground is located away from the ball areas so it is very quiet and not being on a thru street the only traffic is to be the campground traffic.  Sites are wooded and there was a nice breeze coming off the lake.  My first thought when I booked was MOSQUITOES you can't be from that area with out thinking of them.  For the two days we were there not a mosquito and almost no flies.  This is a wonderful surprise for anyone coming through Jonesboro.  We will be back.  Being in the south we all know how hot and humid it can be and a trip to the bathroom/shower facility is often not the most pleasant.  Loved the shower/bathroom facilities.  Air Conditioned, it was amazing with the temps reaching 100 and more while we were there..  This campground had set the bar high and I am sure they will always attain excellence.

The park has approximately 15 miles of mountain bike trails intertwined in the forest, there is a 2.4 mile chat trail that winds around the lake and a 2.9 miles if nicely paved road that circles the park.  There is an area for ATV riders and many trails can accommodate horses.  Check out the three trails that lead to the Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center.

The Forest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center gives the visitor a chance to see the story of a very special ridge that runs along the top of the Mississippi Delta.  They have a 17,033 square foot facility that features an education, exhibit and meeting facility that is on 160 acre prairie.  There is a 2.5 acre pond and about 100 acres of woodlands.  the Nature Center is the perfect accessory to your stay at the Craighead Forest Park.

Jonesboro offers plenty of entertainment not nature related.  Arkansas State University, a great college town, all types of restaurants, chain and local, movie theatre, grocery stores, shopping mall.  There is the Arkansas State University Museum that features a 21,000 square feet of historic, archaeological and natural history exhibits.  It mainly focuses on the history and cultural heritage of Northeast Arkansas and the Mississippi River Delta.

Jonesboro might not be quite the draw of many other areas but I think you might be surprised.

Jonesboro is the fifth largest city in Arkansas weighing in at over 67,000 people

Tom Sawyer RV park was really cute and the staff was very helpful and communicative regarding check in. The campground is set on the Arkansas side of the Mississippi River. We arrived in time to see the sunset and woke up in time to see the sunrise over the river, both were spectacular. We stayed on site 67 right on the river, it had both water and electric hookups, neither of which we ended up using. There is a ton of space for a dog to run around, but unfortunately lots of people don’t pick up after their pooch, so that put a little damper on play time. The main reason for only 3 stars was the bathrooms, they were pretty run down and I would definitely not want to take a shower in them. Great place for one night passing though. If for the views alone.