Lake Poinsett State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Poinsett State Park |
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Lake Poinsett, 2011
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 Lake Poinsett State Park
Location in Arkansas
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| Location | Harrisburg, Poinsett County, Crowley's Ridge, Arkansas, United States |
| Area | 132 acres (53 ha) |
| Established | June 21, 1963 |
| Named for | Lake Poinsett |
| Visitors | 93,000 annually |
| Governing body | Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism |
| Website | Lake Poinsett State Park |
Lake Poinsett State Park is a fun place to visit in Arkansas, located in Poinsett County on a unique landform called Crowley's Ridge. This park covers about 132 acres. It was created in 1960 when a dam was built across Distress Creek, forming a beautiful lake for everyone to enjoy. The park is on the west side of the lake. You can come here all year round for camping and picnics. If you want to go boating, you can rent boats from February through November.
Park History
People in Harrisburg and other parts of Poinsett County really wanted a lake for fun activities. They started trying to get one in the 1950s. However, they didn't have enough money at first.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission liked the idea. They planned to build a dam on Distress Creek when they had enough money. The project finally moved forward when Dan Portis, a former highway commissioner, talked to Arkansas governor Orval Faubus. The dam was built in 1960, and the new lake was named after Poinsett County.
The idea for a state park came from local people, Richard Woods and L. K. Collier. They gave 40 acres of their land to start the park. Local residents then raised enough money to add even more land. This doubled the donation to the Arkansas State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission. They decided the land was big enough for a park. On June 21, 1963, they accepted the land. This made Lake Poinsett State Park the 20th state park in Arkansas.
Things to Do
Lake Poinsett is a great spot for fishing! You can catch fish like bass, bream, catfish, and crappie in the lake's shallow waters.
Camping and Facilities
The park has 29 campsites for visitors. Four of these are Class A sites, 22 are Class B, and there are 3 tent-only sites. The park does not have cabins or other types of lodging. There is a pavilion with restrooms close to the campsites for everyone to use.
Trails and Tours
Park guides lead visitors on fun trail walks. They also offer tours to see local wildlife and birds. During certain times of the year, you can even go kayaking and canoeing on the lake with a park guide.
The Great Blue Heron Trail is a hiking path that is about 1.1 miles long. It starts near the children's playground and loops through the woods. You'll find picnic tables spread out in open areas throughout the park, perfect for a meal outdoors.
Nearby Parks
Lake Poinsett State Park is one of five state parks located on Crowley's Ridge. The other nearby parks are Crowley's Ridge State Park, Lake Frierson State Park, Parkin Archeological State Park, and Village Creek State Park.
