Village Creek State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor
Places to visit in Arkansas
Village Creek State Park
4.5
About
Explore the unique geology, topography, and unusual plant communities of Crowley's Ridge, a landform of rolling hills in eastern Arkansas's Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Crowley's Ridge, a geologic anomaly, is the most unusual of Arkansas's six major physiographic provinces, or natural divisions. It is covered with a lush, mixed hardwood forest including oak, hickory, and uncommon hardwood trees such as American Beech, Sugar Maple, Butternut, Basswood, Cucumbertree, Kentucky Coffeetree, and Tuliptree or Yellow Poplar. Village Creek State Park is one of five Arkansas state parks on Crowley's Ridge. At 6,911 acres, Village Creek is Arkansas's second largest state park in land area. Park interpretive programs and exhibits share the story of the natural and cultural heritage of Crowley's Ridge. Five park trails totaling seven miles allow hikers the opportunity to explore this forest on their own, or on a guided trail walk with a park interpreter. A multi-use trail system within the park offers both mountain biking and hiking. Anglers can fish for bass, bream, catfish, and crappie at the park's two lakes, Lake Austell and Lake Dunn. Launch ramps, boat docks, bait, fishing boats, electric motors, and pedal boats are available late-spring through Labor Day. Visitors can bring their own canoe or kayak for some scenic paddling. The park campground includes 96 campsites [24 Class AAA, five Class A, and 67 Class B sites (for RVs, tents, and horse campers)] around Lake Dunn. Nestled on a nearby ridge are the park's 10 fully-equipped cabins that feature kitchens and wood-burning fireplaces–ready for a comfortable weekend stay. At Lake Austell, picnic sites are near a sandy beach and sun deck. The park also includes four standard pavilions (one is enclosed), playgrounds, baseball and multi-use fields, and a driving range. Horseback riding is a popular activity at this park. Twenty-five miles of multi-use trails wind through the rolling hills of Crowley's Ridge. The horse trails are open throughout the year. Call the park for current trail conditions. The horse camp features 30 campsites with water and electric hookups, an asphalt parking pad, picnic table and grill; a modern bathhouse; horse wash bays; and 66 stalls inside the camping area. The horse stable's 10' x 10' stalls include water, electric, and ceiling fans. The park visitor center includes an A/V theater, store, gift shop, and bicycle rentals. The interpretive center offers a large meeting facility and The Discovery Room featuring exhibits of prehistoric artifacts and information about the wildlife of Crowley's Ridge. Our helpful park interpreters offer education-focused programs, concerts, and special events throughout the year. Golfers will enjoy The Ridges at Village Creek, the park's 27-hole, Andy Dye signature course. This public course features the rolling terrain of Crowley's Ridge, dramatic elevation changes, and the backdrop of the seasonal beauty of the surrounding hardwood forest. These combine with the PGA-caliber championship layout for an aesthetically pleasing and challenging level of play. Since 1923, the Dye family designs of resort and public courses have included world-ranked championship-class courses including 17 of the world’s top 100 courses. Dye designs have a worldwide reputation for their creative, unique designs, and environmentally sensitive integrity. Depending on the configuration of the two nines you choose to play, the yardage could stretch to over 7,400 yards. The course features MiniVerde Bermuda greens and Tiff 419 Bermuda tees and fairways. Four teeing areas make the course accessible for golfers of any skill level. Three distinct nines offer outstanding golf opportunities. Water comes into play on 12 holes. The course is open daily and includes a full-service clubhouse with pro shop, dressing rooms, snack bar, and full driving range. Golf carts are included with greens fee.
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles71 reviews
Excellent
40
Very good
24
Average
2
Poor
5
Terrible
0

charcoll99
Austin, TX126 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 • Couples
Beautiful park with many well-maintained trails. Staff at Visitor Center were friendly and helpful. RV campsites were spacious and clean.
Written 20 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

pallinurse
Hot Springs, AR91 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
Much enjoyed and appreciated stay. I have traveled a lot, and this was probably the cleanest cabin or hotel room I have ever seen. Some of the older reviews mention internet--we had good access for our 3 day/2 night stay. The full kitchen had a great fridge, microwave, full-size stove and oven, and plenty of counter space. Provided was a Keurig machine and several K-cups of tea and coffee; we brought our favorite blends with us. Sipping hot beverages by the fire, on the porch looking over a valley, or at the backyard picnic table is a treat. A stack of firewood was also kindly provided. This was the most luxurious "camping" experience ever. Beds were super-comfortable, and pillows and linens were good. Rooms felt spacious. We were in a two-bed, two bath and the rooms are on opposite sides of the cabin so nice if you are traveling with others and want a little space from other members of the party.
We had to do some online work for a few hours while we were there, and the kitchen table & chairs were comfortable and a good work surface.
The staff were outstanding! Kind, friendly, knowledgeable, with great customer service skills in every interaction, both phone and in-person.
When I think about what we have paid for hotel rooms and what we received for our money here, there is no contest. If you like peace and solitude, I recommend trying this little gem on week-days during the winter months. We pretty much had the place to ourselves--just a few other people scattered around the park. Very relaxing.
Nearby Wynne, Arkansas has a Walmart, gas, a smaller grocery store, and a few restaurants. Note: Going from Wynne to the park entrance, our GPS sent us to the Golf Course gate. The actual entry point for camping/cabins check-in is a bit farther south. Also-TV had a LOT of channels. If you have an indoor day, the couch and large chairs by the fireplace and tv can keep you happily occupied.
Written 26 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

jmunger
Huntsville, AL47 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Couples
Cabins just amazing! We were driving from Huntsville, Alabama to crested Butte Colorado and this was a great stop off the interstate. We only stayed one night, but the beauty and amenities of the cabins just blew us away. We saw lots of wildlife in the wee hours of the morning. I would love to come back here for a few nights this fall.
Written 30 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ann L
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2023 • Couples
This park is well known for its recreational activities and camping, and no wonder: its natural beauty is evident. But we were there for the segment of 19th century trail that was the Trail of Tears, and before that, the Old Military Road, also known as the Memphis to Little Rock Road. There is an outstanding hike into deep forest that we had to ourselves on a Monday morning, and it is impossible not to feel the weight of history and human struggle. If you like trails, traces, old roads, and the stories of people who were there, I recommend this park. Superintendent Vicki Trimble was extremely knowledgeable with detailed information about where to walk and what to see. The signage providing the stark reality of Indian removals in the 19th century is also very important to read before you start the walk. A beautiful, evocative place.
Written 13 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TrippyDD
Alexandria, VA67 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
Do not arrive after the visitor center closes if you have a cabin reservation. We did, and were unable to get into our lodging, despite using the code they gave us for the electronic lock. We called three emergency numbers for park staff that were provided, and no one answered. We ended up going to a hotel in Forrest City. When we called the next day, we were told that this is a known issue and they said they would refund our money.
Written 21 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Carol S
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Family
We stayed in the cabins. Dishwasher broken and fireplace broken. They knew in advance about the dishwasher, and did not inform us. Very disappointing.
Written 3 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

clpayne
Missouri City, TX1,609 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021
What a lovely place and AMAZING cabin! We stay at 1-2 state park cabins per year and this is by far the nicest cabin in a park we've stayed in. It is newly remodeled and very nice! We stayed in Cabin 1 which was a 2 bedroom, 2 bath with screened in porch along the back overlooking the river and a full kitchen. The only thing missing were hangers in the armoires! :) Only $125/nt during the wk which is an unbelievable price!

The park itself has over 30 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horses. There are an abundance of horse stalls available for rent as well for overnight stays. It was extremely muddy while we were there so the trails were closed to bikes and horses unfortunately, but we managed to hike approx 20 miles. Not too rugged, but a few challenges along the way. NO paved trails if you are looking to push a stroller, etc.....

The best part of this park? The WELL marked trails! I can't say enough what a great job they do with their trail markers. Again, we travel frequently exploring parks and their trails and poorly marked or unmarked trails and bad park maps are a pet peeve of ours. Our dog Chuckie gives them a 4 paw rating for their signs along the trails. Perhaps the best trail marking system we have ever seen! Job well done VCSP!

They also have tennis courts and a golf course, but we did not utilize either of these amenities.

2 beach areas with boat rentals such as kayaks, paddle boards, etc.... Too cold for us to try these amenities!

My only complaint.....NO wifi in the cabins and my Verizon cell service did not work. I know, I know......you're in the outdoors, disconnect, enjoy, etc..... However, we travel frequently and I'm always on a "workcation". With COVID more people are working remote and this will be the trend going forward. Wifi access needs to be improved.

Free wifi at the visitors center. The literature says wifi at the cabins, but actually only available in 2 cabins (not Cabin #1) AND you have to pay for the wifi. We've never had to pay for wifi in the cabins. At this price I would expect it to be included. Cabin #1 I was able to get my Verizon to work occasionally if I stood by the bedroom window, but very slow!

Thank you Arkansas for offering pet friendly cabins! We are from Texas and unfortunately our state park cabins do not allow dogs. Therefore we take our tourism dollars elsewhere. Yet another Arkansas state park did not disappoint!
Written 2 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heidilore
Prattsville, AR56 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020 • Family
Wonderful visitor's center. Beautiful nature. The park is huge! Has two lakes, both have swimming beaches.
Written 3 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vivian W
West Memphis, AR96 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Family
We took our family out with our travel trailer for 3 days and really enjoyed quality time together. It was very difficult for the kids to go without internet and their phones for 3 days but they were kept busy with old fashioned talking and family togetherness. They enjoyed nature hiking on the trails and making s’mores and actually reading books and playing cards with grandparents lol. We setup an outside projector one night for a scary movie complete with popcorn. Staff at village creek are amazing. We love this park. Lots of deer to see.
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KateS
Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States4,873 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
Wow, what a lovely place! We camped in Area B, & had access to the "camper's only" beach on Lake Dunn. Our site, #60, was perfect: level, shaded, steps from a bathhouse, & adjacent to mowed fields of grass (perfect for both walking the dogs & wildlife watching). The Visitor Center had everything we needed to help us learn & explore, & the staff even gave us lessons on the plant life unique to this region. We walked a portion of the Trail of Tears, & took two very short nature hikes on the Big Ben & Arboretum trails. I highly recommend this facility for campers & nature-lovers. Note: we were able to get some Memphis & some Little Rock channels on our antenna TV, but the signal was spotty when the sky got cloudy, and the available WiFi is a pay service through ViaSat that was weak at best.
Written 9 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Village Creek State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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