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Village Creek State Park is nearly 7,000 acres of beautiful forested hills and clear streams, creating an environment unique to Arkansas. There are 33 miles of multi-use trails, bathhouse campgrounds, an equestrian campground with stable facilities (including class B campsites), 10 cabins, two lakes, a day-use area with pavilions and picnic sites, outdoor and indoor theatres, a small museum, and a visitor centre with a gift shop. Year-round interpretive programmes are available. As part of the trails, you can walk on a section of the Trail of Tears. When the equestrian trails are wet, they are closed. Crowley’s Ridge’s unusual soil type is extremely fragile, and we are working to preserve the trails for future use. After moderate rains, this soil type drains quickly, and the trails are ready for use in a short period of time. For trail conditions, please contact the park.
The Ridges at Village Creek, a 27-hole championship golf course designed by Andy Dye, is located in the park. MiniVerde Bermuda greens and Tiff 419 Bermuda tees and fairways are used on this public course. Three distinct nines provide excellent golf, with water coming into play on 12 holes. Golfweek Magazine named The Ridges at Village Creek the best golf course in Arkansas for 2018. A full-service clubhouse with a pro shop, snack bar, and full driving range is open daily. The greens fee includes golf carts. Call 870-238-5226 to reserve your tee time.
Village Creek also has the best preserved section of the Trail of Tears. During their removals, the trail was used not only by Cherokees in the Bell detachment (named after the detachment’s conductor, John Bell, who was the first to take this specific path west), but also by Choctaws, Creeks, and Chickasaws. The Old Military Road Trail was once part of the Memphis-Little Rock Highway. This trail features a dramatic sunken removal trail remnant. Village Creek also includes some of William Strong’s landholdings. During the 1830s, he ran a store that served as the second ration depot for supplying removal parties and served as a rest stop for most travellers. In Arkansas state parks, you can learn more about the Trail of Tears.
Lake Austell is more popular for swimming, but Lake Dunn is ideal for boating. From April to September, the lake has a bait shop and boat rentals available, so even if you don’t own a watercraft, you can still get out and have some fun in the sun. You can rent fishing boats, kayaks, and pedal boats, giving you a wide range of options. Many RV visitors appreciate the serenity and grounding effect that an afternoon on the lake can have, whether you’re paddling hard or taking it easy.
There are numerous opportunities to get some fresh air during your RV trip to Village Creek State Park. The park has a total of 25 miles of trails, all of which are great for hiking and some of which are also suitable for mountain biking. All of the trails are great for nature enthusiasts because they allow you to get up close and personal with the local wildlife, but some are even better for history buffs. The Military Road Hiking Trail is two miles long and follows the path of the Trail of Tears.
VWhile most visitors to Village Creek will likely want to explore the park itself, this park is home to one of the best golf courses in the Natural State. The Ridges at Village Creek is a 27-hole championship golf course designed by Andy Dye that features three distinct nine-hole courses that meander through the rolling hills of Crowley’s Ridge.
With water hazards on twelve of the holes, accuracy is essential, but you could easily be distracted by the panoramic views that can be found throughout the course. This is not a course for the faint of heart, and it is a true workout, with steep terrain being a frequent challenge and a flat lie being rare. A stunning backdrop of hardwood forests provides the ideal setting for a true golfing experience that will challenge golfers of all levels.
The Visitor Center is adjacent to a small museum known as the Discovery Room. This is a must-see if you want to learn about the geologic and cultural history of the area, as well as the wildlife found within the park. Even if you participate in one of the interpretive programmes, visiting the museum is worthwhile because a single programme cannot cover everything there is to know about the park. The fascinating exhibits teach visitors nearly everything they need to know about the area in one convenient location.
Village Creek State Park offers interpretive programmes all year, and they are a great way to learn about the park. Visitors can learn more about the park’s unique ecosystems and the various species that live there through a variety of programmes, including guided hikes. Programs also teach participants about the park’s rich geologic and cultural history. These programmes are especially beneficial for families because they are enjoyable for people of all ages, but solo adventurers are welcome to participate as well.
When the park’s sugar maples, poplars, and other trees are capped with snow in the winter, they make an ideal backdrop for horseback riding. Many of the trails are suitable for horseback riding, and you can explore them over several days because the park also has an equestrian campground. Although you won’t get the same cardio workout as if you hiked, riding horseback is the most convenient way to explore the trails with more rugged terrain. The park has some of the best trails in the state, so bringing your horse is highly recommended.
If you want to get out of your RV or are visiting with a group of friends, you should consider staying in one of Village Creek State Park’s 10 cabins. One cabin has a single bedroom, seven have two bedrooms, and the largest has three. They are all very modern, with full kitchens, bathrooms, ceiling fans, modern furniture, electrical outlets, televisions, and covered decks to help you enjoy your stay.
All ten cabins are available for reservations all year by calling the park or, in some cases, using the online reservation system found on the park’s website.
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Tent
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Camp Area A is one of the park’s two campgrounds, offering 41 campsites with water and electric hookups. Five campsites have 50-amp hookups, while the remaining 36 have 30-amp hookups. There are no sewer hookups at this campground, but there are bathhouses and dump stations nearby. The site lengths range from 22 feet to more than 100 feet, allowing for a wide range of vehicles. Just make sure that whatever location you select can accommodate your equipment.
The campground is a short walk from the lake and an even shorter walk from the Lake Dunn Trailhead, which marks the start of a popular three-mile hiking and biking trail. The majority of the sites are well shaded and offer a tranquil setting in which to unwind and relax after a day of exploring the park. Each site also has a grill and picnic table so you can cook some meals in the middle of nature, even if it isn’t as primitive as our forefathers did. Campground A is open all year, and reservations are strongly advised whenever you visit.
Camp Area B is even closer to Lake Dunn than Camp Area A and has 24 full-service campsites. The sites are quite large, with the smallest being 55 feet long. There are similar site-specific amenities (such as a picnic table and fire ring) as in Camp Area A, and the campground is also pet-friendly. There are restrooms and a dump station in or near the campground, as well as a playground for the kids. This campground, unlike Camp Area A, is not designed in a loop, with the exception of a few sites that many visitors find easier to navigate.
The roads leading from the campground lead to nearby park facilities such as the Visitor Center, tennis courts, and baseball field. Although there are no trails directly accessible from the campground, it is easy to find your way to one of the many nearby trails. Because there are full hookup sites available, the sites in Camp Area B are the most popular, so make a reservation before you arrive.
Are you considering bringing your horse to Village Creek State Park? The park has one of the best horse campgrounds in the Arkansas state park system, ensuring that your stay is unforgettable! The equestrian campground has 30 sites available, all of which have water and electric hookups. A picnic table, grill, paved parking pad, and two stables are also included. These are in excellent condition and have electric, water, and ceiling fans to keep your horse cool during the hot summer months. Do you need to clean? There is also a bathhouse and horse wash bays for you, so you won’t get dirty during your stay.
Reservations for the Horse Campground can be made online through the park reservation system or by calling the park office ahead of time. Because this is one of the best places for horse camping, it is best to make a reservation ahead of time.
Grills for bbq ,Boat, Launch Tables for Camping ,Dump Station for Drinking Water, Electrical Connection, Rings for a Fire Pit There is firewood available. Group Camping with Grills Pets are welcome at the Lantern Post. Tables for Picnics Restrooms at Ranger Station (Flush Toilets) Hookups for RVs ShowersVisitor Information Center.
So, what makes Village Creek State Park so special and worth visiting in such a remote area of Arkansas? Given its location on Crowley’s Ridge, the park epitomises all of the natural features of the “ridge,” and it’s an amazing experience to see how these have been preserved and enhanced into a state park.
Village Creek State Park is named after a stream that runs through the area, and while it is frequently referred to as a “natural” state park, it also preserves much of the region’s rich history.
The Military Road, which connected Memphis, Tennessee and Little Rock, Arkansas in the early nineteenth century, is still visible today in the heart of Village Creek State Park. More on this later, but the history alone creates a rather unique environment and, no doubt, a lot of memories as you learn all about the historical background of this area.
The myriad of hiking trails that can be experienced throughout the park, primarily around the perimeters of the two iconic lakes – Lake Dunn and Lake Austell – may be the real reason that visitors are so captivated by the beauty of Village Creek State Park. Village Creek State Park has a plethora of attractions to keep the whole family occupied on an epic day trip, including a 27-hole public golf course that meanders through the rolling hills of the ridge, horse stables, picnic tables, a gift shop, and more.
Let’s begin at Lake Austell, and perhaps the most intriguing hiking trail here, the historic Military Road that linked Little Rock to Memphis. When it was completed in 1829, this road became a major route for Indian Choctaw, Chickasaw, and Muscogee people, but it is now one of Village Creek State Park’s iconic hiking trails. This trail, which is part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, is just over 2 miles long and meanders through forestry with a plethora of wooden/metal bridges.
Depending on the time of year, keep an eye out for snakes (cottonmouth snakes are common in the wooded area), but aside from that, you can thoroughly enjoy a relaxing, quiet stroll along such a historic trail. There are several placards depicting Military Road’s history, which are well worth reading to learn more about your upcoming adventure.
You can’t help but admire the panoramic vistas across Crowley’s Ridge on one side and the picturesque lake on the other as you take your first stroll along the banks of Lake Austell. If you visit later in the day, this is an excellent location for capturing breathtaking sunset photographs that truly capture the natural beauty of this part of Arkansas.
The trail is divided into two loops: Upper and Lower Loops. You’ll end up in the same place regardless of which route you take; it’s just a matter of whether you want to learn about the trail’s history before or after the 2 mile hike.
The beauty of Village Creek State Park is evident when you stand and gaze out at the panoramic views of Lake Dunn and Lake Austell.
Whether you choose to explore both lakes and enjoy hiking trails in and around them, a trip to this Arkansas State Park would not be complete without a visit to both. If you enjoy kayaking or fishing, both lakes are ideal places to get out on the water and enjoy the scenery and plethora of fish (crappie, bass, and bream, among others) that can be found here.
Lake Dunn has a bait shop and dock where you can rent fishing boats, kayaks, and pedal boats for a small fee. Visitors can enjoy the scenery from the water, but for those who prefer to stay on land, the view from Lake Dunn’s boat dock is pretty spectacular. We spent some time looking out across the lake, listening to nothing but wildlife and the gentle sound of water running on nearby rocks.
Lake Austell is equally lovely, albeit slightly larger at 85 acres than its smaller counterpart at 65 acres. The old adage “good things come in small packages” certainly applies here, and both lakes are widely regarded as some of the best in the area for bass fishing.
Looking for the best trails in Village Creek State Park for a challenging hike or a family outing? AllTrails has 7 excellent hiking trails, biking trails, running trails, and other activities. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, as well as reviews and photos from other nature enthusiasts.
Are you prepared for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of Village Creek State Park’s five easy hiking trails, which are suitable for the entire family. Looking for a more challenging hike? We’ve got you covered with trails ranging in elevation gain from 4 to 345 metres. Whatever you have planned for the day, Village Creek State Park has the perfect trail for you.
Try out this 7.2-kilometer loop trail in Colt, Arkansas. It takes an average of 1 hour 45 minutes to complete this moderately difficult route. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and horseback riding, but you can still find some peace and quiet during the day. The trail is open all year and is a beautiful place to visit at any time. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.
7.2 kilometres in length
Route type Loop
Elevation gain 100 m
Explore this 3.4-kilometer loop trail near Wynne, Arkansas. It takes an average of 49 minutes to complete this route, which is generally regarded as easy. This trail is ideal for camping, hiking, and trail running, and you won’t see many other people while exploring. The trail is open all year and is a beautiful place to visit at any time. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.
Route length 3.4 km
Elevation gain 49 m
Route type Loop
Try this 2.7-kilometer out-and-back near Wynne, Arkansas. It takes an average of 46 minutes to complete this route, which is generally regarded as easy. Although this is a popular hiking trail, you can still find solitude during quieter times of day. The best months to visit this trail are from March to November.
Explore this 0.8-kilometer loop trail near Wynne, Arkansas. It takes an average of 11 minutes to complete this route, which is generally regarded as easy. This trail is ideal for camping and walking, and you won’t run into many other people while exploring. The trail is open all year and is a beautiful place to visit at any time. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.
Details:
Route length 0.8 km
Elevation gain 9 m
Route type Loop
Check out this 24.6-kilometer out-and-back near Wynne, Arkansas. It takes an average of 5 h 58 min to complete this route, which is generally regarded as easy. This trail is ideal for camping, hiking, and horseback riding, and you won’t see many other people while exploring. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash.
Details:
Before using the trails, you must register at the Visitor’s Center.
Route length 24.6 km
Elevation gain 345 m
Route type Out and back
Explore this 8.0-kilometer loop trail near Wynne, Arkansas. It takes an average of 1 hour 55 minutes to complete this moderately difficult route. This trail is great for hiking, and you won’t see many other people while exploring.
Details:
The Lake Dunn Dam serves as the starting and ending point for this five-mile loop. The Lake Dunn boat ramp has plenty of parking. With the exception of the section of trail across the dam, this trail is entirely in wooded areas. Following rain, portions of the trail may become muddy, and there may be blowdown. Neither of these would render the trail impassible. While there are a few steep sections, the majority of this trail is easy to navigate and well-marked. You may come across deer along the way.
8.0 km in length
Route type Loop
Elevation gain 100 m
Take a look at this 0.5-kilometer loop trail near Wynne, Arkansas. This is generally regarded as a simple route. This is a popular hiking and walking trail, but you can still find solitude during quieter times of day.
Details:
This is a short, family-friendly nature trail with interpretive signs that describe the various plant species found in the park area. The path follows a small creek, and there is plenty of wildlife to be seen.
If you want to add some distance to your route, check out the Village Creek Trail.
0.5 km in length
Route type Loop
Elevation gain 4 m
8854 Park Rd. 74 Lumberton, Texas 77657
Note: This is not the official Park website. However, it is an easy-to-use site, with everything you need to plan a trip.
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