Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit park
Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit
Reasons to Visit:
1. Outdoor Recreation: Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit provides ample opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, wildlife observation, birdwatching, and nature photography.
2. Scenic Beauty: The forest boasts stunning landscapes, including diverse vegetation, picturesque streams, and beautiful vistas, offering visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty of Arkansas.
3. Historical Significance: The area holds historical importance as it was once a part of the 19th-century Dunning Springs Resort. Exploring the forest can provide glimpses into the history of the region.
Points of Interest:
1. Dunning Springs: Dunning Springs, located within the forest, is a scenic spot that features a cascading waterfall and a natural spring. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the falls and learn about the history of the resort that once operated here.
2. Hiking Trails: The forest offers several hiking trails of varying difficulty levels, providing opportunities to explore the diverse ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and natural features.
3. Hunting and Fishing: The Thousand Acre Unit provides hunting and fishing opportunities, with designated areas for these activities. Regulations and licensing requirements must be adhered to.
Interesting Facts:
1. Stephens State Forest covers approximately 15,000 acres and is managed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Forestry Commission.
2. The forest is named after George E. Stephens, a prominent Arkansas conservationist and philanthropist.
3. The Thousand Acre Unit of the forest is known for its old-growth hardwood forest, which provides habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including deer, turkey, and various bird species.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit is during the spring and fall seasons when temperatures are mild. Spring offers the opportunity to witness blooming wildflowers and enjoy the vibrant colors of the forest. Fall brings stunning displays of autumn foliage. It is advisable to check weather conditions and plan accordingly.
Please note that while efforts have been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, it is always recommended to verify details and plan your visit by consulting official sources or contacting the park authorities directly.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Haw State Park Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Miami Lake Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Cedar Creek Access | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Honey Creek State Park Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit
What can I do at Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Stephens State Forest-Thousand Acre Unit.