Tucked into the wooded hills of Faulkner County, Woolly Hollow State Park is one of Arkansas’s most approachable state parks — small enough to explore in a day, rich enough to deserve a weekend. The park’s 370 acres wrap around Lake Bennett, a 40-acre lake built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s that remains the heart of everything here.

Lake Bennett is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing for bass, bream, and catfish. A swim beach opens in summer, making this a reliable family destination when the heat sets in. Several miles of hiking trails wind through hardwood forest, including the Huckleberry Trail loop that follows the lakeshore with gentle elevation — well-suited for younger hikers or anyone who prefers scenery over scrambling.

The park’s most distinctive feature is the restored one-room Woolly Hollow log cabin, dating to 1882, which offers a tangible connection to the region’s pioneer settlement history. It’s worth a stop even if you’re just passing through.

Campsites include both tent and RV options with hookups, positioned among the trees near the lake. Reservations are recommended for spring and fall weekends, which are the best times to visit — wildflowers in April, foliage in October, and comfortable temperatures for both.

Summer brings swimmers and families; winter is quieter but the trails stay open. Woolly Hollow doesn’t try to be dramatic. It succeeds by being exactly what a good state park should be: a well-kept, peaceful place to slow down.

Explore Nearby

• Ozark–St. Francis National Forest — National Forest in Arkansas
• Talimena Scenic Drive — Scenic Byway in Arkansas
• Great River Road — Scenic Byway in Arkansas