The Binocular Site
Lake Chicot State Park, Arkansas
Lake Chicot State Park, located near the Mississippi River in southeast Arkansas, is one of 52 state parks operated by the state of Arkansas. Nestled in the middle of a pecan grove, the park has 122 campsites, 14 of which offer cabins with kitchens. The park also has a swimming pool, picnic areas, a playground, and laundry facilities. It's the perfect spot for an extended family vacation.
Lake Chicot is the state's largest natural lake. It was formed hundreds of years ago when the Mississippi River changed course, and has become an ideal location for boating and fishing. The marina has boats and personal water craft available for rent, as well as fuel, bait, food, and a launch ramp. There is also a visitor center that offers bicycle rentals, as well as a variety of services such as nature talks, demonstrations, guided walks, films, barge tours, and living history from the pioneer days through the Civil War period.
The park is a peaceful and plentiful location for birdwatching throughout the year. Lake Chicot Park is an excellent spot for viewing wintering waterfowl. Very often in late summer, hundreds of herons and egrets can be seen roosting around the lake. September is the best time for birding because it's when endangered wood storks roost, and the area is highly populated with eagles and waterfowl.
See the Lake Chicot State Park website for more information.
The official state bird of Arkansas is the Northern Mockingbird and you can find a checklist for birding activities in Arkansas here.
Photo credit to StuSeeger, used with permission under the creative commons license.
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