Jacksonport State Park
Once a bustling town at the confluence of the White and Black Rivers.
Check out the slide shows, pictures, videos, and information below.
This quaint town, once a bustling river community in the early 1800's, sits at the confluence of the White and Black Rivers. Its location was excellent for steamboat commerce to develop in the 1850's and was ideal for stationing troops of both Confederate and Union during the Civil War. Since there has been much flooding in this area plus a devastating tornado, all that remains of the town now is the restored courthouse built in 1872 that serves as a museum of the colorful history of this important site. When the railroad built its tracks in nearby Newport, the importance of Jacksonport declined.
In 2019 a new visitor center opened with a museum to tell the story of Jacksonport and its part in the Civil War. This is a must see while you are visiting the park.
If you wish to camp, there is an excellent campgrounds with many of the sites right on the river. There is an easy trail from the campgrounds to the launch area where a new Visitor Center sits. It is a delightful walk along the river, and there is a field filled with wildflowers and benches along the way to sit and rest or just enjoy the serenity of this park. If you prefer to stay in a motel while visiting the area, there are several choices in the cities of Newport or Batesville, which are close to this park.
Check out more detail on the Arkansas State Parks website.
For more detailed information about Jacksonport, check out this link.
If you click the picture, you can control the slide manually & see the full descriptions.
Jacksonport Courthouse
The courthouse was the center of the life in early Jacksonport. The 12 pictures on the slide deck show the courthouse, some displays inside and outside of it.
Because of the strategic location of Jacksonport on the confluence of these two rivers, both the Confederate and Union forces occupied this town as headquarters for troops. If you are interested in the Civil War period, check out Civil War.org site.
This is the sign at the entrance to historic Jacksport. Dick studies the attractive sign.
The courthouse has the 1800's look and has had to be restored a couple of times due to floods and tornadoes.
This is the sign at the entrance to historic Jacksport. Dick studies the attractive sign.
Below are Pictures of the Tunstall Riverwalk and the Campgrounds at the Park
Trailhead at Campgrounds
Trailhead near Visitor Center
Civil War History
Walk near Trailhead
View of Courthouse from trail
Dick takes break on bench
View of White River
Wildflowers
Wildflowers along trail
Close-up of Wilflowers
Campground from trail
Our Campsite
Most Sites are along the River
Campground Bath on Stilts to avoid common flooding
Coal Baed Power Plant near Park is interesting
If you click the picture, you can control the slide manually & see the full descriptions.
New Visitor Center
In 2019 a new Visitor Center was finished overlooking the rivers on top of the dike in front of the courthouse, This 19th century structure contrasts beautifully with the new 21st century modern glass and steel center. The visitor center houses a museum with artifacts from the period of the steamboat days that made Jacksonport so important. Also, housed in the center are a gift shop, resource library, and a conference center. There is an open patio in the rear that is a great place for weddings and other events.
Finished in 2019 this is a great addition to the park.
This two story 10,000 square-foot building is all glass and metal.
Finished in 2019 this is a great addition to the park.
Check out this 4 minute video from Arkie Travels