Dog walking in Harrisburg

Lake Poinsett State Park

Being lazy in Harrisburg is always welcome if you are on vacation, but you don’t have to be! After dinner, burn off those excess calories by taking a scenic walk in one of the town parks, or playing fetch by the beach at Lake Poinsett State Park. Here, you can stay in your RV or tent if you prefer, then canoe or kayak on the lake and relax, snuggle with your pup, and enjoy the beautiful views. Dogs must be leashed at all times in this state park, and don't forget to bring plenty of waste bags to help keep it clean and green!

Marked Tree

When you've explored all of the parks and things to do in Harrisburg, roll the window down and let your dogs keep you company as you travel the 19 miles to Marked Tree. (This area was not named after the founding dog’s territory according to humans, but the truth may have come out if dogs wrote the history books!) Here, you can explore the St. Louis River. This huge territory encompasses the dog-friendly Ouachita National Recreation Trail, which winds throughout Pinnacle Mountain State Park all the way up by Little Rock to Talimena State Park in Oklahoma. Be sure you bring your doggie waste bags and drinking water. Leashes are optional in some areas, but required in others, so your best bet is to have it on you at all times.

Craighead Forest

Jonesboro is just 21 miles away, and this city loves our canine friends so much that it's in the process of opening Jonesboro Bark Park, advertised as “a place for you and your pets!” The groundbreaking opening ceremony was in 2016, and since then, the dog park has hosted multiple events to finalize funding, so there is always something pet-friendly going on there. You can also visit Craigshead Forest Park, which is pet-friendly as long as your dogs are on a leash. Although there are no designated dog parks yet, Craigshead residents are happy to meet your furry companion.

City Center

For fun for all ages and breeds, you can visit the Trumann Recreation Complex in Trumann, about a twenty-minute drive from Harrisburg. Rated five woofs by pups everywhere, this park is a sports complex complete with spacious baseball fields, an outdoor playground, and a quarter-mile running track where your running partner has free reign when games are not in session. There is a 10,000 square foot recreation complex, but dogs are not generally allowed inside the arena. Don't forget to bring the essentials, including water and waste bags! If you and Fido want to spend a little longer exploring Trumann, you'll find some furrific pet-friendly lodging options here.