Cane Creek State Park RV & Campground Guide
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The West Gulf Coastal Plain and the Mississippi Delta meet in Cane Creek State Park, creating a blend of forested hills and wetlands teeming with life. The park opened in 1992 with a 1675-acre human-made lake that's become a favorite for anglers and animals looking for a meal, and it's one of the few state parks to have an actual kayak trail guiding guests to the most exciting and scenic corners of the lake. Located in southeast Arkansas, the park sees hot summers with temperatures peaking in the 90s and winters just cold enough for snow. Nearest Cities: • Star City, AR • Palmyra, AR • Gould, AR • Yorktown, AR
Spring 83 F – 43 F
Summer 93 F – 65 F
Fall 86 F – 42 F
Winter 58 F – 31 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Cane Creek State Park
Cane Creek State Park Campground • Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: No • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 50 ft • Other amenities: Showers, fishing pier, playground, picnic areas, boat launch site
Rising Star RV Park
Rising Star RV Park is a wonderful campground you can stay at near Cane Creek State Park. It has a beautiful location along the Arkansas River near Pool 3 Lock and Dam. Camping, fishing, boating, and canoeing are among the outdoor activities you can enjoy during a stay at this campground. The RV park offers 25 sites in total, and they all come equipped with water and electricity. The address of Rising Star RV Park is Rising Star Rd, Grady, AR 71644.
Lakeview RV Park
Located in Drew County, Arkansas, Lakeview RV Park is another fantastic campground worth considering near the state park. It is located in the city of Monticello, putting it at a very close distance from Cane Creek State Park. The campground is also just a quarter-mile away from Lake Monticello, an exciting destination you can visit for swimming, fishing, and more. The nightly rate for this RV park is $45, and all of the sites come equipped with full hookups. The address of Lakeview RV Park is 475 Old Hwy 13, Monticello, AR 71655.
What to Do at
Cane Creek State Park
Thanks to the shallow, human-made Cane Creek Lake, Cane Creek State Park has a huge range of activities beyond what most guests expect. The lake is a local fishing hotspot, and there's a lot to discover by boat. Long and short trails cater to both families with small children and adventurers looking for a challenge. The park offers canoe, kayak, and bike rentals so everyone can get on the water or explore Arizon's outdoors on two wheels.
Inside Cane Creek State Park
Guests love to experience the water at Cane Creek Lake with activities that range from boating to water skiing. Kayaks and canoes are available for rent if you are interested in more relaxed waterfront endeavors. Bayou Bartholomew, which happens to be the largest bayou in the entire world, spans 364 miles and is a great place to explore. If you love hiking or mountain biking, feel free to visit the 15.5-mile Cane Creek Lake Trail. You can even take part in geocaching, which is a fun and mentally challenging activity that requires you to apply yourself to find hidden items.
Fishing
Cane Creek Lake is well stocked for fishing. Sportfish populations include bigmouth bass, channel catfish, and bluegill. Fishing is one of the park's main draws, and there are not only fishing-friendly piers but also boats available for rent.
Geocaching
You'll find multiple geocaches here, and the park works to make them fun and accessible to all. If you're new to geocaching, try a scheduled, park interpreter-led tour to learn about the hobby and find some of your first caches.
Nature Watching
The park welcomes activities like birding and provides plenty of ways to get close to nature. There are benches along the Delta View Trail for easy birdwatching, boats are available for rent, and lots of animals roam near the trails and campsites.
Stargazing
The park's rural setting and the open skies near the lake offer great stargazing opportunities. Park interpreters also lead periodic events complete with folklore and professional insights.
Flora and Fauna
The park's unique location fosters a diverse range of plants and animals. Forests include stately oak, pine, and hickory trees. Lily pads in the lake bloom in the spring, and the lake also features cypress trees. The wetlands attract a huge range of bird species, including bald eagles, wild turkeys, and ospreys. Animals include a few alligators, plenty of deer, a healthy population of turtles, and even some beavers. Guests will encounter plenty of raccoons, possums, snakes, and hawks during their visit as well.
Hiking
There are two primary trails to enjoy in Cane Creek State Park. The Cane Creek Lake Trail is a moderately difficult 15.5-mile path over rolling hills and three suspension bridges. Hikers get a lot of time in the woods and views of Cane Creek Lake. The Delta View Trail is only 2.5 miles long and appeals to a broader range of guests, including those with children. Benches offer rest breaks and scenic views of the park's river delta ecosystem.
Boating
Cane Creek State Park has a whole lake to explore, but it also has something unique: a kayak trail. Cane Creek Kayak Trail is an easy, 2.5-mile course marked by yellow buoys that showcases some of the wetland's best views and surprises. The park offers guided tours along this route and also canoes, kayaks, and tandem kayaks to rent.
Biking
The Cane Creek Lake Trail doubles as both a hiking and a mountain bike trail with hills and suspension bridges. The visitor's center has bicycles for rent.
How to Get to
Cane Creek State Park
Travelers coming from Little Rock can follow Interstate 530 South for about 73 miles. Turn left onto State Route 212 East, then take a left after nearly four miles onto West Arkansas Avenue. Turn right on South Lincoln Avenue and continue to the junction with State Highway 293. Turn left on 293, heading East. Continue for just over five miles, and the state park entrance will be on the left. The general parking area is then immediately on the right.
Entering Cane Creek State Park
Entry to the park is free.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cane Creek State Park
Peak season runs from March through November, and the best time to visit to avoid crowds is the beginning or end of that season. March and April offer the opportunity to see spring wildflowers and fresh greenery. October and November showcase changing fall colors and cool weather.
Animals you may see on the trails range from bald eagles to alligators. Ospreys enjoy the fish in the lake and nearby bayou. There are also plenty of deer, turtles, wild turkeys, and other birds.
Cane Creek has 11 Class A and 18 Class B RV camping spots with hookups for water and electricity. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and nearby restrooms.
You don't have to reserve a camping spot in advance, but it's a good idea to use the park's online reservation system to ensure you have a spot when you arrive. Rates are subject to change throughout the year, but the average nightly rate is $32 for a Class A site and $25 for Class B. It's also important to note that weekend reservations require a minimum two-night stay.
All Arkansas state parks welcome leashed pets. However, remember that no pets apart from registered service animals are allowed in any public building.