Lower Lake Recreation Area

Lower Lake is an area developed for visitors of the regulating dam. Fishing in the continuous outflow of the dam is a popular pastime; other visitors fish the 400-acre pool above the dam, or float and fish the river below the dam. The group use shelter is located beside the Caddo River and has a maximum seating capacity of 50 people, with a large cooking grill. A playground, a sand volleyball court and an open playing field are adjacent to the shelter, and a restroom is within walking distance. Individual covered picnic tables are available throughout the area, and there is a boat ramp in the park to access the river. Hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, disc golf and picnicking are popular activities in the area, and the openness of the area lends itself to volleyball, softball and a fitness course. The scenic Lower Lake Disc Golf Course, an 18-hole course that opened in late 2011, has become one of the most popular in the area, and the Voss Fitness Trail is a 1-mile gravel trail with four fitness stops featuring a total of 19 workout stations. The DeGray Lake Sunset Trail is a 1.7-mile moderately trafficked loop that features lakeside views and is great for all skill levels; it is accessible year-round, dogs are able to use it but must be kept on leash, and this ADA-accessible trail meanders along a level paved surface, ideal for an easy afternoon walk. DeGray Lake is one of the region's five Diamond Lakes, known for their crystal clear waters. The lake flows from the Caddo River in western Arkansas and spans 13,500 surface acres. The first settlers around the lake were the Caddo Indians, whose remains have been traced back to 700 A.D.; the early inhabitants were skilled in agriculture, and grew crops like beans, squash, maize and sunflowers. The DeGray Lake Resort State Park offers golf courses, tennis courts, horseback riding trails and more along the 207 miles of lake shoreline. The Ouachita National Forest and Hot Springs National Park are both located nearby.