Craighead Forest Park, located at 4910 Culberhouse in Jonesboro, is a favorite recreational location for many! It opened when the Young Men’s Civic Club began work on the lake in 1937. However, the city now owns the scenic beauty of Crowley’s Ridge. The 662 acre park offers many features for the general public, including basketball, biking, trails, camping, picnicking, disc golf, fishing, horseshoes, playgrounds, softball, and volleyball.
The campground at Craighead Forest Park offers visitors a home-away-from-home in a safe, yet rustic environment. The park offers 26 tree-shaded asphalt pads equipped with tent campsites close to the lake, primitive camping areas, electrical outlets, grilling, picnic tables, and water. A central bathhouse and waste evacuation station are also located near the campgrounds. In addition, the RV campground at Craighead Forest boasts 41 sites, all equipped with water and electrical hook-ups. All sites have access to a personal table, patio, fire ring, and grill.
Craighead Forest offers fishing in the 60-acre lake stocked with Bass, Bream, Crappie, and Tilapia. The fishing area is located near Rotary Way, near the Rotary Centennial Park.
The park offers multiple playgrounds including the Rotary Centennial Park and The Castle at access #3 that are accessible for handicapped play. Additionally, the splash pad is a favorite for the kids during the summer.
Athletes may be seen walking, jogging, hiking, or biking the trails. Approximately 15 miles of mountain bike trails weave through the forest with 2.4 miles of chat and 2.9 miles of paved road circle the park. Mountain Bikers may find trails suitable for all levels within the park. Beginner trails are inside the loop road and have trailheads located at Access #5 and #6. The beginning trail is approximately 4 miles in length, while the more advanced trail begins just behind Pavilion #1 and winds around to the south side of the park, connecting to the beginner section of the trail. The entire trail is 11.7 miles in length and challenging.
The park offers an exclusive area for ATV riders, as well as those wishing to ride horses! ATV enthusiasts are welcome to ride all the trails in the northwest section of the park. It extends from the parking lot on Craighead Forest Road west to South Culberhouse.
Horseback riding is also permitted in the park. Although there are no marked trails for horses, the riders may take a nice trail ride on several trails located outside the main road that circles the park. However, horses are not allowed on trails that are inside of the road that circles the park.
Basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, and disc golf are welcome in the park! As you can tell, Craighead Forest Park offers a wonderful get-away! With cooler weather comes time to sit around the fire circles, cozy up in a tent, tell ghost stories, and enjoy the beauty of falling leaves. Grab your tennis shoes and explore this scenic beauty soon! For those wishing to make a reservation or inquire about the facility, call the ranger at 870-933-4604.
