(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) – Due to the health emergency brought on by COVID-19, many facilities at Arkansas State Parks have had reduced hours and limited occupancy for the past year. Beginning Monday, March 1, 2021, park visitor centers and museums will again have regular hours for visitors.
Visitor centers will be open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park museums will be open Wednesday to Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Arkansas State Park visitor centers and museums act as information hubs in the parks. Visitors will find exhibits explaining the flora, fauna, geography, and history of the parks in these buildings. Souvenirs, camping supplies, informative books, and snacks can be purchased in the park stores that are in most of these facilities.
“Our goal over the past year has been to continue to provide high-quality services while keeping both our visitors and our staff safe,” said Arkansas Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Stacy Hurst. “We have seen increased visitation as people discovered that the parks were a great place to enjoy the outdoors while keeping a safe physical distance. With spring and better weather on the way, fully opening our facilities while maintaining our safety protocols will best serve the public.”
Arkansas State Parks Director Grady Spann said, “We appreciate the public’s understanding during the past year, and we expect the new hours to better serve our guests. It is still important to maintain social distancing and to always wear a mask in public areas of all of our indoor facilities.”
These new hours do not affect the hours of operations of the parks in general or other facilities. For more information about each park, visit ArkansasStateParks.com.
About Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 54,400 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. The system includes 1,100 buildings (including 183 historic structures), six National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, 16 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, and War Memorial Stadium.
The state parks have 1,800 campsites, 1,050 picnic sites, 208 cabins, five lodges, and 415 miles of trails. Eight million visitors annually come from all regions of the country. Park staffs provide over 42,000 education programs, activities, and special events to more than 700,000 participants each year. Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism, and provide leadership in resource conservation. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more about everything we have to offer.
