Arkansas State Park ~ DeGray Lake Resort with Marina and More

DeGray Lake Resort State Park

In 1995 my mother and I made plans to spend our vacation in the State of Arkansas. I had spent some time researching our route which would take us up to Hot Springs National Park which was our first major destination.

We spent our first night in Arkadelphia, Arkansas after driving approximately 360 miles from Houston, Texas. Neither of us elected to have cable television in our homes at that time so we enjoyed watching a funny short movie titled "New Shoes" on cable TV that night in our motel room.

Realizing that we were near the DeGray Lake Resort State Park...a drive of only about seven miles from where we had elected to stay, we decided to take a quick detour the next day and just get an overview of what this Arkansas State Park looked like in case we would decide to return and spend more time there.

What a fabulous discovery it was!

Had we only known ahead of time, we would have pressed on and spent the night there and even planned for a few extra days of our vacation time to enjoy the DeGray Lake Resort State Park.

(c) Peggy Woods - All Rights Reserved

Lake Resort

The fact of this Arkansas State Park also having Lake Resort in it's full name ( DeGray Lake Resort State Park ) drew our attention. Growing up on a lake was a part of both my mother's and my father's backgrounds.

As kids, my brothers and I all learned how to swim at very early ages since my paternal grandmother still lived in her home on Okauchee Lake in Wisconsin which gave easy access to us. I also had a great aunt that still lived on the water but her beach was more rocky than my grandmother's so we more often did our swimming at my grandmother's house.

Both of my parents were excellent swimmers and taught us how to do the various strokes in the water as well as teaching us how to float. Thus, we all loved the water!

My mother and I were to find out that the DeGray Lake Resort State Park is a paradise for those who enjoy water sports of various kinds. We made a mental note to someday return and spend some vacation time there. Alas, she died before we could both return. Hopefully there are lakes in heaven!

DeGray Dam

Responsible for the creation of this large 13,800 acre lake with 207 miles of shoreline was the damming up of the Caddo River which happened when the DeGray Dam was completed in the early 1970's. It cost 64 million dollars and took eight years to complete construction of the dam.

The purposes of the DeGray Dam include flood control; hydroelectric power creation; industrial and municipal water supply as well as providing many recreational uses.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates and maintains the dam.

Arkansas State Park

The DeGray Lake Resort State Park became the 32nd state park in Arkansas.

After the DeGray Dam was completed, the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism took out a long term lease on 938 acres of land and began construction of this state park.

It is a multi-use park and people who love to fish must really enjoy this lake. It is stocked with various kinds of bass, several kinds of catfish, walleye, crappie, bluegills and redear sunfish.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

Snorkeling and scuba diving are some of the activities enjoyed in the clear waters of DeGray Lake.

If in fact one has never learned how to snorkel, lessons can be taken at the DeGray Lake Resort State Park.

The video to the right shows this plus a bit about the geography of the area in this Quachita mountain lake.

Water Sports

From sailing to kayaking, tubing to jet-skiing, that and all kinds of boating as well as swimming can be enjoyed on Lake DeGray.

Picnicking and Camping

Whether one comes to the DeGray Lake Resort State Park just for the day or if one is spending more time, there are plenty of picnic sites and even pavilions in which one can bring food and enjoy the outdoors.

It was too early in the day for my mother and me to consider eating or snacking at one of these spots, but whether in a wooded setting or one overlooking the lake, these picnic sites undoubtedly get used often by people visiting this park.

For campers, there are 113 campsites where one can bring a motor home or other travel trailer or even a tent for overnight camping.

When my dad was still alive, for many years my parents owned several different types of motor homes. It would have been wonderful if they could have gotten to enjoy this scenic site for camping and the wonderful amenities offered at this lake resort.

Iron Mountain Lodge

For those who like a bit more luxury, there is the Iron Mountain Lodge which has 96 rooms in which we would have chosen to stay had my mother and I returned. It as well as the full service marina looks lovely as the next video shows.

Houseboat

One can even rent a houseboat for use on DeGray Lake. What fun that would be with a group of friends or family members!

It is something that I have never yet experienced but it certainly intrigues me and I could be tempted if someone knew how to operate such a boat.

Take a look at this accompanying video and see if you think you would like that mode of vacationing on water.

Other recreational activities at DeGray Lake Resort State Park...

Those who like to hike will find five easy to moderate trails that are from one-quarter mile to one-and-a-half miles in length taking anywhere from a half hour to an hour and a half to hike.

Guided horseback trail rides are offered seasonally.

Bicycles can be rented.

A full 18-hole public golf course can be enjoyed for those who like to play and some of the holes are in wooded settings and others have water hazards and lake views.

Like to play tennis? Unlighted tennis courts are provided for day-time use.

For those people who were unfamiliar with this state park located in south central Arkansas you now have an idea of what the DeGray Lake Resort State Park has to offer. Whether just wishing to relax lakeside and read a book or wanting to take advantage of what the marina has to offer by way of rentals...or even pulling and launching one's own boat into DeGray Lake...there is much to enjoy. I am so happy that my mother and I got to see this lovely place if even for only a short time. Wish it could have been longer!