TRI-LAKES AREA — With Memorial Day over, the summer season is in full swing, and several state parks in the Tri-Lakes region have planned a variety of events for people of all ages to enjoy as they learn more about the outdoors.
Lake Ouachita State Park, near Mountain Pine, offers more than 40,000 miles of pristine shoreline, and numerous islands with almost no development beyond docks and boat ramps.
“Lake Ouachita offers many different forms of water-oriented recreation, such as swimming, skiing, wakeboarding, scuba diving and more,” Park Superintendent Lee Howard said.
Visitors can explore the history, geology and wildlife of the lake on a tour led by a park interpreter. These scenic lake tours have limited seating, and reservations are recommended. There is a fee for the tour that lasts about 90 minutes.
Another tour shows how the lake provides an extraordinary habitat for migrating birds. The tour takes visitors to see Bird Island. The evening tour offers a chance to see a Lake Ouachita sunset, as thousands of purple martins, along with egrets, herons and ibises settle in to roost for the night. Like all the boat tours, space is limited, and tickets can be purchased at the visitor center.
For visitors to the park who want to tour the lake in a more active manner, the park offers Kayak Koving, a unique way to experience the lake. Along with a park interpreter, kayaks leave from the marina boat ramp to paddle out to nearby coves. Kayaks, paddles and personal-floatation equipment are provided. Children age 12 and under must ride tandem with an adult. Kayakers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
One of the major attractions at Lake Ouachita is the guest cabins, which include new additions that were completed last season.
Howard said there is a “wow factor” of these new cabins, which replaced the cabins constructed in the 1970s.
“For our cabin guests, the impact of walking into a cabin will be breathtaking,” he said. “It is the combination of the architectural features that blend with their surroundings, and the spectacular view of the lake through the entire north wall’s bank of windows.”
For more information about the summer events at Lake Ouachita State Park, call (501) 865-5810.
Near Hot Springs, Lake Catherine State Park is one of the first six state parks constructed in Arkansas and was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which gives the park’s cabins and main building a distinctive appearance.
Park Superintendent Richard Boyes said the architecture of the building fits naturally into the lakeshore setting.
Boat tours are also a popular feature of Lake Catherine, including the Full Moon Kayak Tours offered during the summer. There are also daytime Kayak Cove Adventures led by a park interpreter.
Holidays bring special events, such as the park’s Independence Day Celebration, held July 1-4.
Celebrate the nation’s birthday with an abundance of activities, including a watermeloneating contest, a water-balloon toss, a three-legged race and sack races, as well as nature hikes and lake tours.
On the Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31 through Sept. 2, the park holds the End of Summer Blowout.
Although this event marks the official end of summer and daily interpretive programming, weekend programs will still be held in the autumn. There will be events for the entire family, such as tours, hikes, crafts and educational programs. Visitors can help close the park’s naturecabin down for the summer, and there will be a release party for its animal inhabitants.
Along with guided trail walks and other events, Lake Catherine State Park features free concerts, offering gospel, bluegrass and country music.
One of the most popular parts of the concerts is when Dutch-oven baked cobbler pie is served to the audience. For concert dates, contact the park at (501) 844-4176 or lakecatherine@arkansas.com.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park near Bismarck has one of the largest schedules of programs for visitors to see and learn about the outdoors. Along with lake cruises and trips to some of the park’s islands, there are craft programs, such as making items with natural materialsduring the Crafty Corner Wildflowers program. With the help of a park nature interpreter, adventurers can learn how to make a safe but dependable fire without matches in programs such as Primitive Fire.
Pine Meddle Painting offers an exploration of painting using paintbrushes made from pine needles. Admission is free for those programs, which start Friday.
In the evening, visitors can enjoy Moonlight Cruises around the lake.
For more information, contact the park at (501) 865-5810.
There is something going on every day during the summer at Arkansas state parks.
Staff writer Wayne Bryan can be reached at (501) 244-4460 or wbryan@arkansasonline.com.
Tri-Lakes, Pages 53 on 05/31/2012