Conway Cemetery ParkCache Traditional Geocache

Welcome to Conway Cemetery State Park , one of 52 beautiful, historic state parks, each with their own special mission. The other thing they each have is a geocache. This adventure is based around visiting all 52 state parks. Each park cache has a clue that you will need to find the final, 53rd cache located somewhere in the state. Just download the clue sheet and start your adventure. We encourage you to upload photos on the geocaching.com page when you find one and also to tell us about your visit to the park on the state park blog. As an extra incentive, For a limited time you can pick up an Arkansas State Park geocoin at the final location and send it on it's way to visit parks throughout the world!


Conway Cemetery State Park

James Sevier Conway (1796-1855), surveyor, planter, prominent and influential citizen of pioneer Arkansas, took office as Arkansas's first governor when Arkansas was admitted to the Union as the 25th state on June 15, 1836. Dedicated to his memory, this 11.5-acre state historic site preserves Governor Conway’s final resting place, the one-half acre family plot at what was once his cotton plantation. The cemetery lies just south of the former site of the Conway plantation home called Walnut Hill.

Born in Tennessee, Conway came to Arkansas from St. Louis in 1829 as a surveyor. He settled on the Long Prairie west of the present town of Bradley. Conway surveyed the boundary between Arkansas and the Choctaw Nation that is today the western line of the state that stretches from Fort Smith south to the Red River. He also assisted with the survey of the Arkansas-Louisiana boundary. In 1832, President Andrew Jackson appointed Conway as surveyor of the Territory of Arkansas.

In 1836, Conway became the Democratic nominee for governor of the new state of Arkansas. He was elected by a substantial majority and for the following four years presided over the fledgling government of this sparsely-settled frontier commonwealth. Poor health and a troubled state economy caused Conway to decline a second four-year term. In 1848, he returned to his plantation where he continued to be active in civic affairs until his death in 1855.

A biographical marker detailing the life of Governor Conway is featured in the park.

This state park is located in the southwestern part of Lafayette County near the far southwestern tip of Arkansas. There are no campsites or visitor services available at this state historic site.

To reach Conway Cemetery State Park from Bradley, travel two miles west on Ark. 160 to the community of Walnut Hill, then turn south on the county road and go 1/2 mile to the park.

Please check the park Web site for hours of operation. Park Permit Number 2008-01

Plan some time for each of the parks and enjoy your visit. Learn about natural, cultural and state history. Take in a hike, a swim, a boat ride. Go fishing, cycling or just relax. For more information on geocaching in an Arkansas State Park visit our geocaching page. For information on geocaching throughout the Natural State visit Arkansas Geocaching. Have a great time and we’ll see you in a park!