Craighead Forest Park Campground

 Arkansas is one of the few states that offer a campground discount to out-of-state seniors and disabled visitors. It's good on weekdays only - Sunday through Thursday. A driver's license is required for seniors to get a 25% discount and an America the Beautiful Access Pass is required for a  50% discount if disabled. 

Craighead Campground has 41 sites along a single road that slopes down to the lake and ends in a turn around. The sites all have water and electric hookups, tables, and fire rings. There's one restroom with showers. The dump station is located on the main park road but gray water is permitted to drain onto the ground, a practice that seems unwise to us considering the close proximity of the lake. There are two accessible sites near the restrooms that are laid out very well with accessible tables and pavement under the tables and around the fire rings. We chose a regular site to be closer to the trail. 

 

We wanted to visit this campground because the park has two trails that circle the lake. The Craighead Walking Trail is 3.1 mile long and paved. The Craighead Lake Loop is 2.4  miles long and gravel. The Lake Loop has multiple obstacles and a few hills so wheelchair users will need assistance. The Walking Trail is wide and smooth but has some fairly steep hills so assistance may be needed. We did the Lake Loop and liked having a water view along the trail. We didn't go very far on the Walking Trail because it looked like it was going to rain. The Walking Trail follows the road so it's not as peaceful as the Lake Loop. Campground 35.77786, -90.69842