Poison Springs State Park
Rate this placeNearby: White Oak Lake State Park Reader Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Poison Springs State Park is located in the state of Arkansas and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
The park offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, fishing, camping, and picnicking. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the area, which includes wooded trails, a scenic lake, and a historic battlefield.
One of the main points of interest in Poison Springs State Park is the Poison Springs Battleground State Park, which was the site of a Civil War battle in 1864. The park features several hiking trails that lead visitors through the historic battlefield and offer panoramic views of the surrounding area.
Another popular attraction is Lake Dunn, which is a 40-acre lake that is stocked with catfish, bass, and other fish. The lake is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and swimming during the summer months.
In addition to these attractions, Poison Springs State Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys, and eastern bluebirds. Visitors can also explore the park's numerous hiking trails, which offer beautiful views of the surrounding forests and hills.
The best time of year to visit Poison Springs State Park is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. However, visitors can also enjoy the park during the summer months, when the lake and swimming area are open.
Overall, Poison Springs State Park is a great destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and anyone looking for a peaceful and picturesque getaway in the heart of Arkansas.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
White Oak Lake State Park
Reader Park
Poison Springs Wildlife Management Area