The facilities were largely built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, with two shelters and the nearby dam listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Iron Springs picnic area is set on the west side of Arkansas Highway 7, about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) north of Jessieville, between the road and the Middle Fork Saline River.

[2] The picnic area includes three covered shelters, two of which were built by the CCC in 1933.

The first is about 24 by 14 feet (7.3 m × 4.3 m), built with open log construction and topped by a gable roof.

[3] The second is more square in shape, with a pyramidal roof, but also has balustrades on the north and south sides.