Camp Observer1 of 6 photos
John F Kennedy
Overview
John F. Kennedy Park is located on the Little Red River just downstream of Greers Ferry Dam in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of north-central Arkansas.
In his last major appearance before his death, President John F. Kennedy stood on a flag-draped platform overlooking the just-completed Greers Ferry Dam and spoke of the prosperity the lake would bring to the region.
Today, a million visitors flock yearly to the scenic waters for family camping, fishing, boating and hiking.
Recreation
Greers Ferry Lake is an outdoor enthusiasts' dream, with boating, sailing, water skiing, swimming, scuba diving and fishing opportunities. Hikers enjoy the area's three National Nature Trails and one multi-purpose, fitness trail.
The William Carl Garner Visitor Center is just west of the dam, with exhibits, a children's touch table, and a replica of the world record 40 lb. 4 oz. brown trout caught in the Little Red River downstream of the center.
Facilities
This campground offers 68 sites with electrical hookups, 44 of which also have water hookups. Additional amenities include flush toilets, showers, a dump station, picnic shelter and a boat ramp.
Natural Features
A dense mix of red cedar, black gum, red oak, elm, pecan and sweet gum trees forest the area, providing shade in the summer months and beautiful fall colors in autumn.Wildlife is plentiful around Greers Ferry Lake. Visitors commonly see white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, rabbits, squirrels and a wide variety of birds.
Contact Info
For local information, please call (501) 250-0481 or call (501) 362-2416 for general information.Nearby Attractions
With over 30,000 acres of water surface, the lake serves as a playground for all kinds of water sports. Eighteen parks around the shoreline provide modern campgrounds, boat ramps, swim areas and marinas.
The Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery, in Heber Springs, located below the dam, offers free tours. Built in 1965, the hatchery produces about one million rainbow trout a year for restocking the Little Red and other Arkansas streams.
Camp site features
Across 67 camp sites:
- Electric hookups: all 67 sites
- Water hookups: 56 of 67 sites
- Picnic table: 4 of 67 sites
- Pets allowed: all 67 sites
- Longest rig: 80 ft
- Largest party: 8 people
- Power up to 50 amps
- Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer
Directions
From Heber Springs, AR, take SR-25 north 4 miles, cross the dam, and turn
right on the second road.
Stay Limit
Check in from 5 PM, check out by 4 PM.
Reviews
Ratings (979)
5 stars
702
4 stars
195
3 stars
57
2 stars
13
1 stars
12
DeAnna M
Loop:B
Site:B11
Reviewed 4 days ago
It's was so nice at JFK. The rest of the world was so hot but JFK felt nice.
James H
Loop:A
Site:A12
Reviewed 4 days ago
I was disappointed when we got there and found out my sight didn't have water on it. I tried to change to another sight on line as there were several others open but the web site kept saying there were no available sites. I wish the camp host at the check station was able to help with site rentals.
Mustafa M
Loop:D
Site:D12
Reviewed 9 days ago
We tent camped at D12 for two nights. We really enjoyed our camping experience and learned to put all food items in the car because a raccoon raided our food box during the night. We loved seeing the geese on the river amidst fog from the cold water meeting the warm humid air.
Stan S
Loop:D
Site:D14
Reviewed 10 days ago
Always love camping at JFK. One of my favorites places in Arkansas!
John L
Loop:C
Site:C06
Reviewed 10 days ago
Overall, it is a wonderful place to camp. Cell signal can be sketchy. Also, a lot of trees have been taken down on the lower level, which has removed the shade from previously shady campsites. It remains one of my favorite places to camp, regardless!
Gerald J
Loop:C
Site:C09
Reviewed 10 days ago
my favorite place. Just too hot this time of year, so cut my visit short.
Charles A
Loop:D
Site:D11
Reviewed 12 days ago
Excellent campground. Clean grounds and facilities. Excellent fishing on Red River. Close to Heber Springs and other points of interest.
Mike H
Loop:B
Site:B02
Reviewed 13 days ago
We love JFK Park. Only complaint is the garbage truck came by super early in the morning and in the process scattered trash and drove off and left it behind
Randy H
Loop:C
Site:C07
Reviewed 14 days ago
There was a restriction in effect limiting trout to two due to an issue but the restriction will be lifted after 6 months.
Kennedy is always a good camping experience.
Macie s
Loop:C
Site:C10
Reviewed 18 days ago
This was a great camp ground! We loved it! Water and electrical hook ups! Showers that are warm very nice!
Leon M
Loop:C
Site:C04
Reviewed 20 days ago
Busy time, high heat index, but the afternoon generation brought welcome cool water that fed a cool breeze and beautiful fog in the morning.
Debbie W
Loop:D
Site:D19
Reviewed 21 days ago
Our campsite was very nice. The campground was very crowded with lots of other campers.
Jana W
Loop:D
Site:D14
Reviewed 21 days ago
JFK is one of my favorite campgrounds to visit because of how cool it stays down there compared to the other campgrounds in the area. One of the things that I would give a negative to is that the campground has been around for a LONG time, and it feel like some of them need to be updated to look new again. The bathrooms are outdated, but they are always clean.
Leon M
Loop:C
Site:C11
Reviewed 24 days ago
My favorite campground especially in the summer. The cool water generation mitigates high summer temps.
Jeffrey L
Loop:D
Site:D11
Reviewed a month ago
JFK park has always been my favorite place. It's clean and we love it there.
Jim B
Loop:C
Site:C01
Reviewed a month ago
We always love camping at JFK in Heber Springs. The campground is neat, clean, beautiful and enjoyable. The staff are always helpful, informed and excited to see you. This place has been an annual destination for our family for more than 25 years and now that it's just the wife and I we still look forward to spending time here each year. Excited to arrive and saddened to depart.
James D
Loop:A
Site:A02
Reviewed a month ago
Overall the camping trip was good the only thing that bothered me the most was that they generated the whole time we were there and we're not able to do any fly fishing I recommend checking all generation schedules before you make reservations
Carla and R
Loop:A
Site:A12
Reviewed a month ago
We had a nice campsite directly across from the hatchery. We could hear the sounds of the river very good. Campsite was clean, dry and level. No water on our site, but the bathroom was 50 feet away and had a fountain and a tap for buckets. It was quiet that night with beautiful weather. The river was low at first but water was generated from the dam and it rose several feet, but not too high for fishing. We went on all the walking trails and up to Collins Creek waterfall. It was so peaceful because we were here early in the week. We always love coming here to JFK campground.
Karen W
Loop:C
Site:C08
Reviewed a month ago
The park and staff are outstanding. Beware of Lonestar ticks. My husband was infected with Alpha-gal from a tick bite he got at this park.
Leon M
Loop:C
Site:C08
Reviewed a month ago
Easy check-in, level site, well maintained grounds and facilities.
Tracey A
Loop:D
Site:D23
Reviewed a month ago
This was our first time camping here & we fell in love! We are already planning a trip every year now! It was beautiful & quiet. I do wish the bathrooms were a little more update as far as air conditioning because it was muggy & steamy all day. But they were clean. It was a easy drive to town or Damsite Marina where the kids swam & cliff jumped. Easy drive to Blanchard Springs Cavern. The river was gorgeous & kids had fun fishing. You won't regret going here! THe phone service was awful, we have consumer cellular. But we aren't there for our phones, so it didn't bother us! We are camping! We did have a outdoor movie planned, but we played card games instead.
Steven W
Loop:B
Site:B12
Reviewed a month ago
Need better signage on camping spots, numbers are on the pavement and several are hard to identify.
Thanks,
SWyatt
Carl L
Loop:D
Site:D10
Reviewed a month ago
We always have a great time while camping here. It’s our favorite place to camp.
ANGELA W
Loop:B
Site:B13
Reviewed a month ago
Park needs to be mowed. It’s sad when a 2 year old has to play in grass as tall as he is. Also we had to buy tick granules because the ticks were so bad at our site.
Carmen H
Loop:D
Site:D16
Reviewed a month ago
My favorite camping spot. Clean, great restrooms, with large padd for our camper.
Tim K
Loop:B
Site:B02
Reviewed 2 months ago
Very nice, very clean, and very quiet. Always enjoy are stays at JFK.
The grass was a little high and needed to be mowed.
Glen L
Loop:D
Site:D14
Reviewed 2 months ago
Restrooms were cleaned daily, plenty of hot water, and the area was patrolled on a regular basis, good security.
JOANN M
Loop:A
Site:A12
Reviewed 2 months ago
Relaxed & chill. Lots of water to fish or walk along. Nice hosts, but it's too bad so many of the workers in the parks are now not compensated. Relying on volunteers because of defunding.
Bruce H
Loop:D
Site:D03
Reviewed 2 months ago
Camp site was well maintained; bathhouse was clean; it had rained prior to our arrival but standing water drained off quickly. Overall good camping experience!
paula s
Loop:D
Site:D07
Reviewed 2 months ago
It is a wonderful place to camp and everything is always nice. Love how they keep the restrooms clean and how they clean them 3 times a day. Thank you to the cleaning people that do a fantastic job. Thank you to park ranger for keeping the children playing around safe and Cleburne county sheriff’s for driving through, always feel safe here. The front gate lady is always so nice when we get there.
Kelley R
Loop:A
Site:A06
Reviewed 2 months ago
Beautiful park! I picked the wrong site that had no water hookup, but that's on me. It was so nice and cool, and loved being able to hear the rush of the river water. The hists were especially nice.
Donald L
Loop:D
Site:D07
Reviewed 2 months ago
This is our favorite place to camp and fish for rainbow trout. We've been coming to JFK Park for years and will continue to do so for as long as we can. We always stay in section D. The campsite are large and there is space between so you're not right on top of each other. They have water and electric. The shower/bathroom facilities are adequate and cleaned daily. The scenery and wild life is breathtaking! There are several sets of stairs that make accessing the river easy. Cannot wait to come back!!
Kim R
Loop:D
Site:D02
Reviewed 2 months ago
We love staying here! Perfect location for our family to get together.
michael m
Loop:B
Site:B03
Reviewed 2 months ago
Camp hosts were verry friendly and helpful answering questions about camping in the park. facilities were clean and in good state of repair.
Thomas P
Loop:A
Site:A04
Reviewed 2 months ago
Very beautiful park. Restrooms were nice and clean. Only downside was we camped at site A4 and every morning people parked in front of our site and walked through the middle of our campsite to get down to the river to fish.
Popularity
Very busy · 81%
Busiest in July, when about 81% of sites are booked. Based on 9 years of reservations.
