Josh Park Memorial Trail

Located in the Dam Site Recreation Area managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, the Josh Park Memorial Trail is a furrific spot for an on-leash walk near the banks of 30,000-acre Greers Ferry Lake, about 60 miles north of Little Rock. With a 1.3-mile nature trail loop crossed by several secondary trails, it's easy to customize the length of your journey on the 1.9 miles of trail.

Though the recreation area has a spectacular view over the lake, most of the trail is sheltered in dense pine and hardwood forest. The natural trail surface is easy on tender paws, aside from occasional pine cones. Since the path is wide and level, you can bring the entire pack. Be prepared to yield to large groups of well-behaved teenagers, though: the local high school cross country team uses the Josh Park Memorial Trail for conditioning.

You're guaranteed a good workout on the Josh Park Memorial Trail thanks to the dozen exercise stations available at the trail's entrance. Even if your doggos are reluctant to break a pant, you'll be able to break a sweat while they watch and learn. 

Your bird-dogs will enjoy barking at the abundant wildlife, including songbirds, woodpeckers, and fishing birds drawn to Greers Ferry Lake. Squirrel! Small mammals are frequent visitors, which is great since squirrel-spotting is a pawpular canine pastime. Deer are also plentiful in the area. Fun fact: the whitetail deer is the state mammal of Arkansas.

A parking lot is located adjacent to the trailhead where interpretive signs will help you plan your route. Restrooms and water are available at the trailhead, too, so make a pit stop before setting out on your hike. If the main parking lot is full (a rare occurrence at peaceful Dam Site Recreation Area), an additional parking area is located off the park road to the east. This overflow lot connects to the Josh Park Memorial Trail via a spur trail, so you won't have to backtrack to the trailhead. 

While visiting the park, be sure to venture off the trail long enough to enjoy the Greers Ferry Lake vistas. Though trail-side camping isn't permitted, the park contains a dog-friendly campground, and there are 11 more campgrounds on Greers Ferry.