By: S. Land LAKE CHARLES STATE PARK

Anglers and nature lovers will enjoy this peaceful park in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains on the shore of 654-acre Lake Charles. The lake offers good catches of bass, crappie, bream and catfish. LAKE CHARLES

The original idea for a lake came in 1954 when the Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Program in the interest of protecting the watershed and preventing flooding downstream. However, the Small Watershed Act was passed before any action could be taken. This allowed for construction that benefited fish and wildlife development. The plans for Lake Charles were changed so that the Shirey Bay Rainey Brake Wildlife Management Area immediately to the south could be supplied with fresh water during hot summer months. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission owns and operates all Wildlife Management Areas in Arkansas and became supporters of Lake Charles' construction. Locals showed their support by forming the Flat Creek Watershed Improvement District and obtaining a loan from the Farmers Home Administration. The Publicity and Parks Commission pledged to maintain the lake as Lake Charles State Park and construction began in Official dedication of Lake Charles State Park took place on May 28, LAKE CHARLES HISTORY

The park features 60 campsites (23 Class AAA and 37 Class B), within walking distance are picnic sites, hiking trails, a standard pavilion (screened with ceiling fans), launch ramp, swimming beach, and playground. The visitor center's gift shop offers gift items, camping supplies, live bait, and snacks for sale. The nature center is open on weekends from May through September. During summer months, choose from a variety of interpretive programs, including party barge lake tours and guided kayak tours. From Hoxie, go eight miles northwest on U.S. 63, then six miles south on Ark. 25 to the park. LAKE CHARLES

 Visitor Center:  Jan. - Dec. Sun. - Sat. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  With the following exceptions:  Jan., Feb., & Dec. Sat. & Sun. 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.  May 22 & 23 Fri. & Sat. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.  July 3 & 4 Fri. & Sat. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.  Sept. 4 & 5 Fri. & Sat. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. STATE PARK HOURS

  RESOURCES