Withrow Springs State Park

            One of my favorite state parks in Arkansas is the 786-acre Withrow Springs State Park in Madison County. The park offers a serene escape for campers and RV travelers, surrounded by lush forests, deep valleys, the limestone bluffs of War Eagle Creek, and the magnificent Ozark Mountains. Visitors can hike scenic dogwood trails, float down the Withrow Spring, and catch glimpses of foxes, bobcats, groundhogs, and river otters.

            Named after Richard Withrow, who established the region's first grist mill, the park features a campground with sites for tents and RVs up to 40 feet long. Outdoor enthusiasts can spend their days exploring over three miles of hiking trails, fishing for bass in the river, or searching for the rare Ozark trillium orchids.

            Withrow Springs State Park accommodates both traditional campers and RVs, with 29 full hookup sites featuring water, electricity, and sewer connections, as well as 10 primitive walk-in campsites. All sites include a picnic table and fire pit, and campers have access to modern bathhouses and a dump station. Note that cell phone reception is unavailable in the park.

            For added convenience, the park offers a variety of amenities, including a children's playground, a gift shop, a picnic area, canoe rentals, and a shop that sells snacks, ice, and firewood. There’s also a crossbow range, tennis courts, volleyball nets, a fishing pond, and baseball and softball fields (with guests required to bring their equipment).

            Fishing is a popular activity at Withrow Springs State Park, which is open to both day visitors and campers. Anglers can enjoy river fishing for catfish, bream, perch, and bass in the creek, or try their luck for rainbow trout in the park’s small fishing pond, which is stocked seasonally. The pond is also used for the annual fishing derby held every June.

            Hikers will find plenty to explore, with over three miles of trails winding through the park. The one-mile War Eagle Trail runs along the river, passing rock formations and even a cave. The easy three-quarter-mile Dogwood Nature Trail takes about an hour to complete and is especially scenic in the spring when the dogwood trees are in bloom. The longer, one-and-a-quarter-mile Forest Trail offers a more challenging hike and is great for wildlife watching as it follows an old roadway along the park’s western edge.

            In addition to its hiking trails, the park is home to diverse wildlife. Deer, foxes, wild turkeys, groundhogs, bobcats, and river otters can often be spotted, while birdwatchers may have the chance to see eagles in the winter months.

            For water lovers, Withrow Spring provides opportunities for canoeing and kayaking. The visitor center rents out canoes, kayaks, and life jackets, with a put-in and haul-out service available (reservations are required). Alternatively, visitors can relax by the large swimming pool during the summer, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

            Located on Arkansas Highway 23, just five miles north of Huntsville, Withrow Springs State Park is easily accessible for visitors. However, those traveling with large rigs should avoid heading north on AR23 from I-40 due to challenging mountain grades and tight curves. The park’s interior roads are mostly paved, with a few short unpaved sections. Trailhead parking areas are available for day visitors, and large rigs can be parked at the campground for overnight stays.

    If you're planning a visit to the park soon, there are a couple of important updates to keep in mind. The day-use area at Withrow Springs State Park is currently closed while a new playground is installed and flood damage is repaired. However, all other areas of the park remain accessible. Also, the bathhouse and restrooms in the camping area will be closed for construction from Monday, April 7, to Thursday, April 10. 

    For additional details about Withrow Springs State Park, feel free to reach out to the visitor center at (479) 559-2593 or visit their website at https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/withrow-springs-state-park.

    Although Withrow Springs might not be as well-known as more famous state parks like Crater of Diamonds and Petit Jean, it truly deserves a spot on your itinerary when exploring the Natural State.