Escape to Lake Chicot State Park
Beautiful Lake Chicot, a 20-mile long oxbow lake that was formerly the main channel of the Mississippi River, and offers a peaceful setting for fishing, boating, and bird watching.
As summer approaches, there’s no better time to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of Arkansas. In the southeastern section of Arkansas, known as the Lower Delta, you’ll find Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village.
The park is situated along its namesake, the beautiful Lake Chicot, a 20-mile-long oxbow lake that was formerly the main channel of the Mississippi River, and offers a peaceful setting for fishing, boating, and bird-watching. Due to the park's location along the Mississippi Flyway, the park offers some of the best year-round birding opportunities in Arkansas.
The park offers tons of fun for the outdoor enthusiast, regardless of age! There’s truly something for everyone – fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, geocaching and, of course, just relaxing. After Memorial Day, the pool is a favorite hangout for young and old. If you love the water, you can rent a fishing boat, kayak or pedal boat for the day or a few hours. You’ll also find some of the best fishing in Arkansas. If you’re a photographer, you’re not likely to find a more magnificent sunrise or sunset as those over Lake Chicot.
Nestled in a pecan grove, the park offers over 100 campsites, 14 cabins with kitchens (many with fireplace, lake view patio and fishing dock), pavilions, laundry facilities and a playground. The nearby marina offers food, gifts, fuel and bait for sale. Here you'll also find boats, motors, and personal watercraft to rent, as well as a launch ramp. The visitor center features interpretive exhibits that tell of the area's history and natural resources, and you can also rent bicycles if you’d like to experience the park on two wheels.
If you decide to leave the confines of the park (but why would you?), Lake Village offers great restaurants, historic sites and shopping opportunities. Lake Village is located along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway and lies on the curving shore of picturesque Lake Chicot, which happens to be Arkansas’ largest natural lake and the largest oxbow lake in North America.
To learn more about Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village, visit the park website at www.arkansasstateparks.com/lakechicot.