ARKANSAS STATE PARKS CAMPSITES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY ANY TEMPORARY SHUTDOWN OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAMPGROUNDS IN ARKANSAS

(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) —The 1,770 campsites administered by Arkansas State Parks will not be affected in the event of any temporary shutdown of federal government facilities, according to State Parks Director Greg Butts.He said, “Although the lion’s share of Arkansas’s public campsites are located in federal campgrounds managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USDA Forest Service, the National Park Service, and the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, the remaining

17 percent are operated within the State of Arkansas’s state-run parks.”Butts emphasized, “There will be no disruption of service at Arkansas’s state parks campgrounds, including lake and river access from the parks.Campgrounds are featured in 31 of the 52 state parks.”

Butts noted that camping is among the most popular activities enjoyed in Arkansas’s state parks.“Because of this, many enhancements funded by Amendment 75, Arkansas’s 1/8-percent Conservation Amendment, have focused on improving the camping experience for these outdoor enthusiasts.A wide range of improvements have included upgrades and renovations around the state park system,” said Butts.

Arkansas State Parks campgrounds showcase the natural beauty of Arkansas.Park campsites are situated on the shores of popular Arkansas fishing and water sports lakes, and rivers including the White River, mid-America’s premier trout stream.They are located high atop the state’s tallest mountains and nestled deep in picturesque mountain valleys.Park campgrounds are located at the system’s lake resort state park offering golf, and the world’s only diamond site open to the public where the public can search for real diamonds. And, campsites are located at important state historic sites.

Greg Butts said, “Diversity is the hallmark of the Arkansas state parks system, and the variety of our campsite settings is certainly an example of that.” The majority of state park campsites have water and electric hookups, picnic tables, grills, and lantern hangers.Sewer hookups and 50 amp electric service are offered at several campgrounds.Some campsites are combination RV/tent sites.Tent, hike-in, group camp, horse camp, and fly-in sites are also available. And, rental RV’s, tents, tepees, and yurts are available in specific parks.

Details including photographs of Arkansas state parks’ campsites are featured online at www.ArkansasStateParks.com.Campsite reservations can be made online at this website, or by calling or visiting the individual parks.Questions can be directed to the state parks, the State Parks director’s office in Little Rock at 888-AT-PARKS (888-287-2757), or Facebook.com/StateParksofArkansas.

For more information, contact:Joan Ellison, public information officer, Arkansas State Parks, 1 Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR72201; phone:501-682-2873; e-mail:joan.ellison@arkansas.gov.

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