🌤 Weather at Withrow Springs State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40–76 °F | 66–88 °F | 40–80 °F | 30–51 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Huntsville 1 SSW, 1 mi away, elevation 1,783 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
🏔️ 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.
⛺ Camping at Withrow Springs State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 39 sites — 29 Class AAA sites: water/50-amp/sewer. 10 walk-in campsites. |
|---|---|
| Reservations | Book online at reserve.arkansasstateparks.com/withrow-springs or call 479-559-2593. Individual camping reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance; camping is limited to one 14-day stay within a 30-day period. The reservation deposit equals one night's basic camping fee plus tax and is forfeited on cancellation. |
| Special sites | War Eagle Creek, a Class I stream, is typically floatable in spring and fall. Three hiking trails; tennis courts, baseball/softball fields, nature playground. |
| Season notes | Campground open year-round. Public swimming pool open Memorial Day-Labor Day. Visitor center open March-November daily 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; December-February limited hours. |
Camping questions about Withrow Springs State Park
Can you camp at Withrow Springs State Park?
Yes. Withrow Springs State Park has 39 campsites. 29 Class AAA sites: water/50-amp/sewer. 10 walk-in campsites.
How do you reserve a campsite at Withrow Springs State Park?
Book online at reserve.arkansasstateparks.com/withrow-springs or call 479-559-2593. Individual camping reservations can be made up to 12 months in advance; camping is limited to one 14-day stay within a 30-day period. The reservation deposit equals one night's basic camping fee plus tax and is forfeited on cancellation.
Source: arkansas.com (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Withrow Springs State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Arkansas State Parks, including many trails, but must be restrained and under the owner's direct physical control at all times.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Pets must be leashed, caged or otherwise restrained under direct physical (not verbal) control; no maximum leash length is specified.
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Pets (other than service animals) are not permitted at swimming beaches or pools at any time, nor in public buildings.
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Designated dog-friendly cabins and lodge rooms exist at all lodging parks (about 25% of cabins at 14+ parks incl. Petit Jean, Mount Magazine, DeGray Lake Resort, Devil's Den); limit 2 dogs per unit, non-refundable per-dog fee at check-in, proof of vaccinations required.
- Pet fees statewide rule
- No day-use pet fee; a non-refundable per-dog fee applies for dog-friendly cabins/lodge rooms.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Only dogs (no other pet types) are allowed in lodging units.
Are dogs allowed at Withrow Springs State Park?
Pets are allowed in Arkansas State Parks, including many trails, but must be restrained and under the owner's direct physical control at all times. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via codeofarrules.arkansas.gov. More: Arkansas state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
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