Arkadelphia Life - 34

DEGRAY LAKE
RESORT STATE PARK

eGray Lake Resort State Park in Bismarck is nestled in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.
Located around eight miles north of Arkadelphia
on DeGray Lake, it stands out as Arkansas's only
resort state park.
DeGray Lake is a 13,800-acre lake that is perfect for fishing
and water sports. The lake is also a draw for sailing, kayaking,
swimming, and boating. The park has a full-service marina
with boat rentals available. On site you can also find a lodge,
the Shoreline Restaurant, and even yurts available to rent.
Camping is popular at the park with over 113 campsites
available. Guests can also enjoy horseback riding or wander
through five short trails. This state park is also home to an
18-hole championship public golf course and an 18-hole disc
golf course as well.
Bird watching is another big activity here. You can see a
wide range of species from wading birds to waterfowl. The
park offers various bird habitats from the mixed pine and
34 ARKADELPHIA LIFE 2021

hardwood forest of the camping areas to the golf course, to
the marshy coves behind the visitor center. The park's mascot, the great blue heron, is a common sight at the park.
The three-mile Islets Cove Paddle Trail can be found along
DeGray Lake's north shore adjacent to the state park. This water trail is both family friendly and easily accessible for those
who want to paddle the lake. Yellow signs posted along the
shoreline not only tell you that you are on the trail, but also
indicate interesting features of the lake. Sights such as beaver lodges, habitat boxes for ducks and other birds, wildlife
viewing stations, and more can be seen along the route. The
trail is a collaborative project between the state park and the
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.
On the lake's southern shore, Iron Mountain Recreation
Area makes for a great side-trip for guests to the park, especially those wanting to get in some mountain biking on the
area's popular trails. For more details on the state park visit
degray.com. s

Photography: Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage &Tourism

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