Play and Stay on DeGray Lake

Find your happy place.

By Richard Ledbetter

Only a half-dozen miles off Interstate 30 at the Caddo Valley exit, DeGray Lake is a short hour’s drive from Little Rock. Its pristine waters lie among the undulating, tree-covered Ouachita Mountains, a place that engenders much affection among outdoors enthusiasts. 

“DeGray is Arkansas’s premier state park resort,” said head park interpreter David Armstrong. “You can spend all week and never be concerned about keeping the whole family outfitted, fed or entertained. We have everything for everyone.” 

 The site was scouted for utilities development as early as 1909 when businessman Harvey Couch, founder of Arkansas Power and Light, considered the location for a hydroelectric dam. Couch, a former railroad postman turned utilities baron, constructed similar dams at sites originally surveyed for railroad trestles, such as Lake Catherine’s Remmel Dam in 1924 and Carpenter Dam, which formed Lake Hamilton by 1933. 

 While Couch did not build here, Congress ultimately would, authorizing what would become DeGray Dam in 1950 and appropriating the funds to build it in 1961. Construction began in 1963 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the massive project was completed in 1972, flooding 13,400 acres of the Caddo River Valley between Hot Springs and Arkadelphia. 

 Today, DeGray Lake State Park Resort and Marina includes a lodge offering 96 luxury rooms and a conference center along with a restaurant providing one of the finest panoramic views anywhere. There’s also 15 boat ramps and 700 campsites ranging from full hook-ups to primitive tent accommodations. 

 For those who may find roughing it a bit much or the lodge too comfortable, a third option is now available. Yurts (year-round universal camping tents) sleep up to eight people comfortably and include a water pedestal, butane stove, electricity and fans. The nearby bathhouse provides convenient facilities located right on the shoreline with spacious wooden decks. 

 The park offers a neighboring 18-hole golf course and a new disc golf range starting at the Visitors Center and making a figure eight through the front and back nine. The disc course is free, and loaner discs are available. 

 Other services include bird hikes, kayaking tours, primitive fire-starting instruction and island exploration. An introduction to stand-up paddle boarding class is also coming online, and there’s even whitewater tubing and canoeing below DeGray Dam on the cool waters of the Caddo River past sandy beaches perfect for a day of swimming, sunbathing or just plain relaxing. 

 “We offer all kinds of activities and programs to the public, especially in the summer,” said park interpreter Kayla Gomance. “Islands tours include Tarantula Island, which is our tallest and hosts a healthy population of Texas ground tarantulas. Rabbit Island is included in the Islets Paddle Trail, which begins at the marina and makes a big loop. 

 “Another great activity for the whole family is the geocache sites in and around the lake. The treasure hunt is on every trail and stashed on islands.” 

 On the lake’s southern shore is Iron Mountain Resort and Marina. Second-generation operator Charlie Egleston grew up here and holds a deep appreciation for the special environment he calls home. Altogether, Iron Mountain has 19 log cabin rental units and docks containing 600 total boat slips for everything from sailboats to luxury yachts. And there’s been some new neighborhood attractions of late. 

“Arkansas is a destination for cyclists and the new mountain bike trails here are a huge draw.” Egleston said. “A private individual Fred Phillips, along with DLT Event Management designed the 30-mile network. They began building in 2008 and just completed in January.” 

Anglers have long coveted DeGray Lake for striper and crappie fishing in summertime, with numerous local guides leading newcomers to prime spots. Meanwhile, wildlife watchers know the state park for another magnificent creature: the bald eagle. Eagle tours, suspended last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, are expected to return in November for migration season, Armstrong said. 

Even in the secluded solitude of the state park, you’re never far from the comforts of modern life, especially when it comes to food. Regardless of how the fish are biting, you’ll find your catch of the day at the landmark O’Keefe’s Fish Net Restaurant in Caddo Valley. Or fuel up for your hike at Ludwig’s Bakery, an Arkadelphia family operation serving German-style pastries. Other tasty treasures, from BBQ to Mexican to home cooking, are scattered throughout the area. 

 For getting back to nature with convenience and ease, DeGray Lake is a prime resource for hiking and biking, camping and fishing, and every other facet of nature. 

 “I tell people if you don’t participate in any other program, don’t miss the sunset tour on our 30-seat custom pontoon boat,” Armstrong said. “Sunsets on DeGray are not to be missed.”