federalfederal

JOHN F KENNEDY

federal · HEBER SPRINGS, AR

DirectionsCall
  • fuel station1.3 mi

USACE · Data Source: Recreation.gov

About

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.

Around this stay

Nearest surrounding services and recreation within ~25 mi — not on-site amenities.

  • fuel station

    Fuel station

    1.3 mi
  • grocery

    Walmart Supercenter

    2.1 mi
  • potable water

    Potable water

    0.2 mi
  • trailhead

    Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

    0.3 mi
  • attraction

    Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery

    0.1 mi
  • recreation site

    Fishing access

    0.3 mi

No dump station found within ~25 mi. Plan dump access before you arrive.

Contact & access

  • Greers Ferry Project Office · HEBER SPRINGS, AR 72543
  • 501-250-0481

Reservations & demand

November weekends are typically reserved about 25 days ahead.

Based on 168 Recreation.gov reservations (Oct 2023–Sep 2024). Historical demand — not live availability.

Outbound provider links only. Roam Atlas does not book sites or show live availability.

Source and verification

Last verified: 10/5/2026

See the Sources tab for provenance detail.