Lake Frierson State Park

Just 10 miles north of Jonesboro, more and more people are discovering one of the hottest fishing spots in northeast Arkansas, Lake Frierson. Built in the 1970s as a US Soil Conservation Service project, this 350-acre lake is now managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. On the eastern shores of the lake is 135-acre Lake Frierson State Park. Added to the Arkansas State Parks' System in 1973, the park is fast becoming a popular recreation area where visitors can relax and enjoy the beauty of the forest-covered land.

Lake Frierson's reputation as a fine fishing area is growing rapidly. In 1975, the lake was stocked by the Game and Fish Commission and excellent catches of bass, bream, channel catfish and crappie are being reported. (Annual stocking takes place as needed.) The Game and Fish Commission also owns the land bordering the western side of the lake and opens it to hunters during season. Please remember, no hunting or firearms are allowed on Parks & Tourism properties. Lake Frierson fronts the western edge of picturesque Crowley's Ridge, a geologic phenomenon that rises 100-200 feet above the surrounding countryside and stretches from southern Missouri to the Mississippi River at Helena, Arkansas. The park's close proximity to the Ridge prompts many visitors to take time from fishing for exploring the history and natural features of northeast Arkansas. A drawing card for the area occurs in spring when northeast Arkansas bursts into a wild array of dogwood blossoms. Lake Frierson boasts of having more dogwoods than any other state park its size. Whether you fish lazily on the lake or explore the forest with camera and binoculars, your visit to Lake Frierson State Park and northeast Arkansas will leave a bundle of pleasant memories and a yearning to return time and again.

A favorite place to visit is beautiful Crowley's Ridge State Park, only 6 miles north of Lake Frierson on Arkansas Highway 168 (just off Arkansas Highway 141). Built in the 1930s as a Works Project Administration (WPA) project by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the park reflects the old and the new and offers a wide range of activities. Visitors can stay overnight in fully-equipped, housekeeping cabins or sleep under the stars in the camping area (tent and RV sites available). A large group camp facility with 5 rustic group cabins and a central dining hall/kitchen may be reserved for conferences or retreats by organized groups. A beautiful swimming beach and lake, hiking trails, interpretive programs (summer only) plus a fishing lake, ball field and group pavilions round out the facilities available at Crowley's Ridge State Park.

Facilities
Lake Frierson offers a variety of public facilities, such as a boat launch ramp with convenient parking plus a barrier-free fishing pier (free of charge). Scattered along the lake throughout the park are several tree-shaded picnic areas. Each site has a table, grill and water hydrant, and some tables are barrier-free. A modern restroom and playground are handily located near the fishing pier. Seven camping sites with tables and grills, 3 tent sites and 4 with water and electric, are located near the boat ramp. Dogwood Lane is a self-guided interpretive trail divided into two parts, which consist of the main trail and the spur. The main trail is just over 1/2 mile while the spur is an additional 1/8 mile. Depending on which trail you walk there are 35 to 45 stations. Nearby the trail and adjacent to the VIC is a bird village. The park office has available upon request, the loan of a teacher's guide and binoculars. The teacher's guide includes puzzles, vocabulary/spelling words, questions, pictures of fruits, nuts, leaves, flowers, winter twigs, berries, vines and other more detailed information to aid in an outside adventure and learning experience. For additional trail exploring or bank fishing you might want to take the trail north of the restrooms. Plenty of paved parking is handy to all facilities. Rental fishing boats (no motors) can be obtained near the fishing pier.

Other facilities - Groceries, fishing supplies, and a nine-hole golf course are located within a mile of Lake Frierson State Park. Laundry facilities, restaurants, service stations, and hospitals can be found in nearby towns such as Jonesboro.

Location
From Jonesboro, travel 10 miles north on State Hwy. 141 to the park. From Paragould, travel 12 miles west on US 412, then 8 miles south on Arkansas Hwy. 141 to the park. From Walnut Ridge, travel 16 miles east on US 412, then 8 miles south on Arkansas Hwy. 141 to the park.

For further information on the park, contact:

Lake Frierson State Park
7904 Hwy 141
Jonesboro, AR 72401
Telephone: (501) 932-2615

For further information on Arkansas' other fine state parks, contact:

Arkansas State Parks
One Capitol Mall, 4A-900
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: (501) 682-1191

All park services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Arkansas State Parks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.