Lake Chicot State Park sits along Arkansas's largest natural lake, spanning 20 miles with over 3,700 acres of water. The park offers camping access to this oxbow lake formed when the Mississippi River changed course thousands of years ago. Winter temperatures average 40-60°F, making it a viable year-round camping destination with reduced crowds during cooler months.
What to do
Disc golf course access: Leroy Percy State Park offers an 18-hole disc golf course for visitors. "We brought our kayaks and got some fishing done in alligator lake but only after playing an 18 hole disc golf course!" notes one camper.
Kayaking through cypress trees: The water trail at Cane Creek State Park provides unique paddling opportunities. "Cane Creek State Park is the most beautiful place we've found in Arkansas with kayaking among the trees and flowers. They have tons of events like moonlit full moon kayak," a reviewer mentions.
River viewpoints: Mississippi River observation opportunities exist at Warfield Point Park. "Several of Warfield's campsites are literally river front. There is a nice boat ramp on the river," reports a visitor.
What campers like
Quiet off-season camping: Winter visitors to Lake Chicot State Park appreciate the peaceful atmosphere. "Loved it! Great trails nice lake very quiet in November!" comments one camper.
Local wildlife viewing: Multiple parks offer opportunities to observe native species. "Wildlife seems to be abundant as we saw dozens of deer, large raccoons, squirrels, pelicans, and ducks," reports a Lake Chicot visitor.
Clean individual bathrooms: Chemin-A-Haut State Park receives praise for its facilities. "Bathrooms are hands down the best I've ever seen. Campsites aren't on top of each other but are pretty close," notes a recent visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal facility closures: Be aware that some park areas close during winter months. A Lake Chicot visitor reports, "Camping areas C and E are closed. Area F has full hook-ups and 30 amps. The marina rents boats but was closed due to off-season."
Cell service variations: Coverage differs between parks. For Pendleton Bend, "There is absolutely no cell phone signal and no WiFi, so have physical directions on you."
Biting insects prevalence: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially at Cane Creek. "We were unable to do any outside activities because of the mass numbers of the bugs. The air was black with the bugs," warns one camper during a peak insect season.
Variable site quality: Not all sites provide equal experiences. At Warfield Point Park, a visitor notes, "Waterfront sites are wonderful, however the other sites are much less attractive."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Flamingo Pointe RV Park offers family-friendly amenities. "The location was very quiet, nicely maintained and had full hook ups. The best part for us was enjoying the sunset and sunrise out by the water with a campfire and our 2 pups."
Educational opportunities: Take advantage of visitor centers with kid-focused programming. At Cane Creek, "The campgrounds are nice and the visitors center offers fun activities for the kids."
Level sites for setup ease: For less stressful family camping, choose parks with more level pads. One Chemin-A-Haut camper notes, "Nice park. Quiet and peaceful on a Sunday evening. Spots are narrow and had a little trouble getting parked but we made it."
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad availability: For dog friendly campgrounds near Lake Village, Pecan Grove RV Park offers stable parking. "Pecan Grove is a nice place to stop on our way home from Florida. Nice concrete pads in several pull through spots."
Overnight stopover options: Several pet-friendly campgrounds work well for single-night stays. "Location is absolutely perfect for those traveling and need a nice overnight or decide to stay a few extra like I did," notes one Pecan Grove visitor.
Site lengths and hookup details: RVers should check site dimensions before booking. At Lake Chicot, "Area F has full hook-ups and 30 amps. The sites are nice but a little short. Area A contains the prime sites with full hook-ups and 30 and 50 amps."
Highway noise considerations: When bringing pets to campgrounds near Lake Village, be aware of road proximity. One Pecan Grove visitor notes, "Right on the highway so there is lots of noise. Mostly a long-term park where many of the rigs are not in very good shape."
