🏔️ Ozarks Creekside Cave & Float Country — A 786-acre park on War Eagle Creek bluffs with a cave, 3 miles of hiking trails through Ozark hardwood forest, Class I creek floating (March–June), swimming pool, 29 full-hookup campsites, crossbow range, and a natural spring that flows from the cliffside
Five miles north of Huntsville in the heart of Madison County, Arkansas, where the Ozark Mountains roll in long, forested ridges above clear-running creeks, Withrow Springs State Park occupies 786 acres of wooded bluffs above War Eagle Creek — one of the premier float streams in northwest Arkansas. The park takes its name from the Withrow Spring, a natural spring that emerges dramatically from a limestone cliff face and flows down to join War Eagle Creek below, creating the kind of austere, beautiful Ozarks landscape that has drawn visitors to this region for over a century.
What makes Withrow Springs distinctive in the Arkansas state park system is its dual identity as both a trail-and-cave park and a float-stream basecamp. The War Eagle Trail follows the creek through a corridor of hardwood forest, passing the entrance to War Eagle Cave (currently closed to entry to protect the bat population from white-nose syndrome, but visible from the trail). In spring — when snowmelt and rain swell War Eagle Creek to ideal floating levels — the park becomes a launching point for canoe and kayak trips through some of the most scenic Class I water in the Ozarks. By summer, the creek often drops too low for floating, and the park shifts to its other personality: a quiet, family-friendly campground with a swimming pool, tennis courts, and shaded picnic areas beneath the oaks.
War Eagle Creek
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Classification | Class I — gentle, scenic float stream |
| Best Float Season | March – mid-June (rainfall dependent) |
| Character | Clear water, gravel bars, limestone bluffs, forest corridor |
| Fishing | Bass, catfish, bream, perch |
| Access | Launch from park or nearby access points |
Withrow Spring and War Eagle Cave
The park’s namesake, Withrow Spring, emerges from a limestone cliff and flows down to War Eagle Creek — a classic Ozark karst-geology spring. Along the War Eagle Trail, hikers pass the entrance to War Eagle Cave, a natural cavern in the limestone bluffs.
Note: War Eagle Cave is currently closed to public entry to protect the resident bat population from white-nose syndrome — a devastating fungal disease that has killed millions of bats across North America. The cave entrance is visible from the trail, and interpretive signage explains the conservation measures. This closure protects endangered bat species and is an important part of the park’s ecological stewardship.
Trails
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| War Eagle Trail | ~1 mile | Moderate | Creekside, cave entrance, spring |
| Dogwood Nature Trail | ~0.75 miles | Easy | Spring blooming dogwoods, wildflowers |
| Forest Trail | ~1.25 miles | Moderate | Hardwood forest, ridge views |
Swimming Pool
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pool | Seasonal swimming pool |
| Season | Memorial Day – Labor Day |
Camping
| Type | Sites | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Class AAA (Full Hookup) | 29 | Water, 50-amp electric, sewer |
| Walk-In Tent Sites | 10 | Primitive, wooded |
| Amenities | — | Picnic table, fire ring at each site |
Additional Facilities
- Tennis Courts
- Baseball/Softball Fields
- Crossbow Range
- Playground
- 4 Picnic Pavilions (reservable)
- Gift Shop
- Interpretive Programs (summer season)
Essential Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 33424 Spur 23, Huntsville, AR 72740 |
| Visitor Center | Mar-Nov: 8 AM-5 PM daily; Dec-Feb: M-F 8-5, Sa-Su 1-5 |
| Phone | (479) 559-2593 |
| [email protected] | |
| Entrance Fee | Free |
Getting There
- From Fayetteville: 30 miles east (~40 minutes)
- From Eureka Springs: 30 miles south (~40 minutes)
- From Little Rock: 175 miles northwest (~3 hours)
- From Springfield, MO: 90 miles south (~1 hour 45 minutes)
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Crowd Level |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar-May) | Dogwood blooms, creek floating at peak, wildflowers | Moderate |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | Pool open, interpretive programs, camping | Moderate |
| Fall (Sep-Nov) | Foliage, cool hiking, War Eagle Fair weekend | Moderate |
| Winter (Dec-Feb) | Solitude, winter hiking, spring observation | Very Low |
Wildlife & Nature
Withrow Springs SP — 786 acres — features War Eagle Creek — a crystal-clear Ozark stream perfect for canoeing and kayaking. The park’s springs, Ozark forest, and creek support smallmouth bass, green sunfish, and bald eagles. War Eagle Cavern is nearby.
Nearby Attractions
Huntsville — adjacent — Madison County seat. War Eagle Mill — 10 miles east — working water-powered grist mill. Fayetteville — 25 miles south.
Can you go inside War Eagle Cave?
No — War Eagle Cave is currently closed to public entry. The closure protects the resident bat population from white-nose syndrome, a devastating fungal disease that has killed millions of bats across North America. The cave entrance is visible from the War Eagle Trail, with interpretive signage explaining the conservation measures. This is an important ecological protection effort across many caves in the Ozarks region.
When can you float War Eagle Creek?
War Eagle Creek is a Class I float stream best paddled from March through mid-June, when snowmelt and spring rains maintain sufficient water levels. By midsummer, the creek typically drops too low for comfortable floating. The creek runs through a beautiful corridor of limestone bluffs and hardwood forest — one of the most scenic float experiences in northwest Arkansas. Check local conditions before planning your trip.
Keep exploring: The closest neighbors are Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area (within about an hour’s drive) and Hobbs State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Arkansas state parks online at reserve.arkansasstateparks.com.
Park Location
Plan your gear for Withrow Springs State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
Top Tours & Activities Near Eureka Springs
from $59
from $59
from $20