Village Creek State Park features specialized facilities beyond equestrian accommodations. The park includes three distinct camping areas with multiple options for different campers. Located 40 miles from Turrell on Crowley's Ridge, the park spans 7,000 acres with two lakes, cabins, and a 27-hole golf course. Park roads connect camping areas to various recreational options throughout the property.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Village Creek State Park Campground offers two lakes stocked with fish. "The lakes have produced state record fish. It's well maintained, and has a lot of options," notes Jonathan C., who appreciates the lakes aren't typically crowded.
Golf course access: The park maintains a professional-quality golf facility with 27 holes. "VERY nice state park! There are 3 camping areas, two lakes, and a gorgeous golf course!" reports Linda A., who found the course to be a standout feature.
Biking routes: Road cyclists will find excellent terrain near Mississippi River State Park Campground. "The roads leading to this campground are fantastic for bikers," according to Jonathan C., who recommends bringing bicycles to take advantage of the paved surfaces.
Boat rentals: Several parks offer watercraft for visitors without their own equipment. "They rent out kayaks for those looking to explore the lake!" explains a visitor to Mississippi River State Park, who took advantage of the rental options during their stay.
What campers like
Private bathroom facilities: Mississippi River State Park Campground receives high marks for its shower house. "Bathrooms and showers were organized in banks of 4 private shower/bath combos and were clean and well-maintained," notes Sean F., who appreciated the individual bathroom units.
Spacious site layout: Campers enjoy the generous spacing between sites. "The sites were very spaced apart and completely level," mentions Melissa, who found the campground quiet and well-maintained despite being near water on three sides.
Educational programs: Park staff at several locations near Turrell provide learning opportunities. "We met a park interpreter who was very nice and informative," reports Lindsey P., who enjoyed the educational aspects of their stay at Mississippi River State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas around horse campgrounds near Turrell, Arkansas offer opportunities to spot local fauna. "Wildlife sightings, including deer, are common along the trails," according to park visitors who frequently spot animals while hiking or riding.
What you should know
Campground size variations: The equestrian campgrounds and regular camping areas differ significantly in capacity. Agricenter International RV Park has tightly packed sites, while Mississippi River State Park has only 17 RV sites total with much more space between each unit.
Seasonal conditions: Summer heat can make camping challenging without proper preparation. "Wish we weren't staying in a tent and would have come at a cooler part of the year. Was too hot to do anything at the beginning of July. Ended up leaving early," cautions Kali D., who found Village Creek State Park uncomfortable during peak summer temperatures.
Trail maintenance concerns: After heavy rainfall, some trails may require caution. "Erosion is a big issue on the ridge, and sections were somewhat washed out after recent heavy rains," notes Laura G., who still found the trails beautiful despite temporary conditions.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between parks. "We had no signal on ATT but there is free WIFI by the office which you can connect to day or night," reports Teresa M., who found alternative ways to stay connected during their stay.
Tips for camping with families
Bike-friendly options: Village Creek State Park Campground provides good cycling opportunities for children. "My kids brought there bikes and enjoyed the one bike trail," shares Holly C., whose children found safe places to ride despite other park areas being closed during their visit.
Swimming access: Some parks maintain designated swimming areas for families. Mississippi River State Park has "a sandy wade-in" swimming area, according to Sean F., who camped directly across from this family-friendly feature.
Educational exhibits: Visitor centers provide learning opportunities for children. "The park office is excellent with a museum area," notes Shana D., who found the interpretive displays engaging for visitors of all ages.
Trail difficulty assessment: Consider trail length and condition when planning family hikes. "The hiking trail was beautiful and we saw several woodpeckers!" shares Lindsey P., who found the wildlife spotting opportunities particularly engaging for their group.
Tips from RVers
Full hookup availability: Cook's Lake RV Resort and Campground offers complete utility connections approximately 50 minutes from Turrell. "We stayed here for ~2.5 months," reports Paul C., noting the campground primarily serves workers rather than recreational campers.
Level site construction: Mississippi River State Park receives praise for site engineering. "All sites are level with electricity, water, and tent pad," reports Ryan S., who found the concrete pads accommodated their equipment without adjustment.
Campground layout: Consider how sites are arranged when booking. "Almost all of the sites are buddy sites where your front door is facing your neighbor's. There is no privacy at all," cautions M.E. about Agricenter International RV Park, suggesting this arrangement works better for group camping than privacy-seekers.
Weather protection: Some camping areas near Turrell lack natural windbreaks or shade. "Exposed. In the sun, rain, wind, etc. It was an old mobile-home park, so very exposed to elements," notes Paul C. about Cook's Lake, recommending campers prepare accordingly.
