Lake Chicot, Arkansas, USA

In the southeast corner of Arkansas lies a prominent — though under appreciated — natural wonder: North America’s largest ox-bow lake and Arkansas’s largest natural lake. Shaped like a “C”, it is 20 miles long and at some places just shy of a mile wide. The stately cypresses and willows along its banks frame scenic vistas of waters unexpected in the flat, delta landscape of the state’s…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Chicot! Article topics include:

Looking for Lake Chicot cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Lake Chicot, AR

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Arkansas - Delta Region, AR -

    In the southeast corner of Arkansas lies a prominent — though under appreciated — natural wonder: North America’s largest ox-bow lake and Arkansas’s largest natural lake. Shaped like a “C”, it is 20 miles long and at some places just shy of a mile wide. The stately cypresses and willows along its banks frame scenic vistas of waters unexpected in the flat, delta landscape of the state’s southeastern corner. When the turbulent Mississippi River changed course more than 500 years ago in what would become Chicot County, Arkansas, it left behind a separate, more serene natural wonder – Lake Chicot. Once the Mississippi River’s main channel, the lake was cut off when the river altered its course.

    The state’s first-ever study of its recreational needs, published in 1940, recommended Lake Chicot “be given prime consideration for an addition to the State park system.” this eventually led to the creation of Lake Chicot State Park. An expanded visitors center with an attractive covered entranceway and more parking greets new arrivals. Four renovated, lakefront cabin duplexes are now suitable for use by persons with physical handicaps and offer fireplaces. The marina store has been spruced up and a fuel dock added. And, a barrier-free fishing pier, a courtesy dock, and a barrier-free restroom have been constructed.

    The beauty of Arkansas’s largest natural lake continues to serve as one of the park’s main attractions. Sunsets often blaze dazzling colors across the open water and the big sky afforded by the area’s flat terrain. In late summer, small cypresses across from the park sometimes appear as if covered with snow as hundreds of wading birds, including great and snowy egrets, fly in to roost. Warm-season, evening barge tours of a swampy area at the lake’s north end reveal alligators, owls, raccoons and other wildlife.

    The lake’s fishing and birding opportunities draw many visitors to the area. Fishing has made Lake Chicot a prime vacation spot. Crappie and bream are favored targets during spring and fall, while catfish are sought year round. Because of its southern location, optimum fishing on Lake Chicot usually begins earlier in the spring than on Arkansas’s other major lakes.

    For birdwatchers, the area produces late summer sightings of wood storks and other species rarely seen in Arkansas, while winter draws bald eagles and abundant waterfowl to the area. Resident songbirds and woodpeckers can be found along the park’s Delta Woodlands Trail throughout the year and they are joined in spring and fall by migratory warblers.

    Also available at the visitors center is a brochure for a self-guided “Levee Tour,” much of which runs atop the embankments that now protect nearby Lake Village and the surrounding area from the Mississippi’s floods.

    Tour highlights include waterfowl and wading birds in the water-filled borrow pits from which dirt for the levees was taken, the remains of a Native American mound, a site called Whiskey Chute where river pirates once roamed and a visit to the Lake Chicot Pumping Plant. Housed in a building eight stories tall and one-and-a-half times the size of a football field, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ plant prevents muddy farmland runoff from befouling the lake. The Lake Chicot Pumping Plant, which began operating in 1985, is housed in an eight-story-tall building one-and-a-half times the size of a football field.

    Connerly Bayou is a main source of water for Lake Chicot (rainfall is the other). The Corps built a gated dam across Ditch Bayou, which flows out of the lake’s southern end, to help stabilize the water levels in the lake.

    The Corps’ pumping plant project worked so well that Lake Chicot is now classified as a clear-water lake. Its water quality and fisheries restored, the lake is attracting increased numbers of wildlife, sportsmen and vacationers.

    Lake Village is the largest community on the shore of the Lake, providing shopping, lodging, supplies and excellent restaurants.

    Source: Arkansas Department of Parks & Tourism

    Things to Do at Lake Chicot

    These are some activities in the Lake Chicot, AR area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Chicot?

    Lake Chicot has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Lake Chicot

    If you’re considering a Lake Chicot lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Chicot Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Chicot lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Lake Chicot Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 5,300 acres

    Shoreline Length: 50 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 106 feet

    Average Depth: 12 feet

    Maximum Depth: 25 feet

    Lake Chicot Map
    Local Weather Forecast

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Horseshoe Lake, AR

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Lake Catherine, AR

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Lake Columbia, AR

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Lake Chicot Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Lake Chicot news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Lake Chicot forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Lake Chicot photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Lake Chicot article with your fellow LakeLubbers: