United States Tourism

DEGRAY - Rich in scenic beauty and wildlife watching opportunities, DeGray Lake offers many rewards for kayaking enthusiasts. The mostly undeveloped shoreline of DeGray Lake, combined with its numerous coves and islands, makes this 13,800-acre lake in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains ideal for kayak touring. The park staff offer kayak workshops and guided kayaking tours, or you can rent a kayak and paddle the lake on your own. DeGray is one of the renowned five Diamond Lakes in southwest Arkansas.

CANE CREEK LAKE - Paddle among tall cypress trees where wildlife abounds and water lilies bloom. Cane Creek Lake is place you'll want to discover, experience and then share. Park interpreters offer guided kayaking adventures here, or you can rent a kayak and explore it alone. At sunset, enjoy the dramatic colors of the sky reflecting on the water. Full moon tours take on a special magic as the lake, the surrounding landscape and the sky above are bathed in moonlight. On sunny days, watch egrets, herons, waterfowl and woodpeckers fly overhead, and see fish snatching insects right below your bow. You might glimpse an osprey, a threatened species that lives here throughout the year. In the colder months, look for wintering bald eagles. Bring along your rod and reel and fish from your kayak. Bring your waterproof binoculars so you don't miss out on the wildlife viewing opportunities. And you might want to bring your lunch, too, because it's easy to loose track of time in a place this peaceful.

LAKE CHARLES - Bring the family and paddle Lake Charles on a 1½-hour guided tour. Gently glide across the lake in a kayak gazing at the beautiful landscape of the eastern Ozark Mountains. Here on Lake Charles, 645 acres of spring-fed waters, it's easy and safe, and your guide will show you the basics before you leave land. Now imagine the background music--nothing more than birds singing, frogs chirping and fish splashing. These tours are offered on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Reservations are required and should be made at the park visitor center. Other tours can be scheduled for groups with advance notice. A limited number of tandem kayaks are available for parents with small children.

Kayaking on Lake Ouachita LAKE DARDANELLE - Lake Dardanelle, at 34,300-acres, is the largest reservoir on the Arkansas River Navigation Project. Lake Dardanelle State Park is the perfect launch point for water activities on both the lake and river, including some of the best fishing in the mid-south. The park rents lake kayaks and park interpreters periodically schedule paddling safety programs, kayak tours and overnight camping trips on islands. If you bring your own canoes or kayaks, this state park is a good base to begin floats on the Big Piney Creek National Wild and Scenic River and Illinois Bayou. Both of these beautiful Ozark Mountain streams are in the Ozark National Forest north of Lake Dardanelle.

LAKE OUACHITA - Surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas's largest lake is known for its scenic beauty and the clarity of its waters. Lake Ouachita is a 40,000-acre paddling paradise with 975 miles of rugged and undeveloped shoreline, wide open waters, and hundreds of quiet coves and islands waiting to be explored. The state park is at the lake's eastern end, and here park interpreters offer guide kayak tours of the nearby coves and inlets. Several times a year, overnight kayak trips are scheduled to explore more of the lake and camp on remote islands. These one-night outings are perfect for families and beginning kayakers. More advanced trips involve two nights in the Lake Ouachita wilderness.

 

---

Arkansas Tourism