Clark County: Water, Nature and History

Clark County offers plenty to fill days with time on the water, outdoor activities, and historical discoveries. DeGray Lake, the Caddo River, seasonal wildflowers, and places with stories from the past give you different directions to consider as you plan your vacation. First, think about what you’d like to focus on: paddling, cycling, nature watching, or local history.

DeGray Lake and the Region’s Rivers

DeGray Lake is one of Arkansas’s five so-called “Diamond Lakes” and is described as a 13,800-acre jewel. Around the lake are 18 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds and recreation areas; amenities may vary from one area to another. The Caddo River feeds the lake and is also used for canoeing and tubing. This gives you a choice between a lake area with recreation facilities and activities on the river as different water-based options.

One specific paddling route is the Islets Cove Paddle Trail: the three-mile loop passes through quiet coves and along wooded shores. The diverse flora and fauna offer good opportunities for wildlife viewing. If you’d rather go mountain biking than take a paddling loop, the Iron Mountain Trail south of DeGray Lake offers more than 24 miles of well-maintained, relatively flat cycling trails.

The town of Caddo Valley is also relevant to planning time on the water: it provides access to the Caddo River, which is connected to the Ouachita River. This lets you weigh two different options—a loop on the designated paddle trail or an activity on the river. The stated route distances provide a guide to the respective routes, not to the duration of an outing.

Nature and Seasonal Highlights

The Terre Noire Natural Area is one of Arkansas’s highest-quality remaining complexes of blackland prairie and woodland. Visitors can see numerous wildflowers there from early spring through fall. If nature watching is an important part of your trip, you can plan this seasonal experience as a focus of its own alongside water and cycling activities.

History in Clark County

Some of Clark County’s early settlers are buried at Bozeman Cemetery. The historic cemetery is considered one of the county’s most scenic places to visit. The Clark County Historical Association regularly offers tours of the cemetery, sharing information about the early settlers, their lives, and their time in Clark County. Check the dates before your trip. Hollywood adds another historical perspective: the first Methodist church organized and built in Clark County was established there in 1812. The present-day Hollywood Methodist Church building was dedicated on June 21, 1925, and remained in use until the Association purchased it in August 2020.

In Arkadelphia, the Clark County Historical Museum is housed in a historic train station that was also used by AMTRAK. Exhibits cover Caddo artifacts, the Civil War, World War I and World War II, rural life, education, transportation, and communication, among other topics. Another point of interest is the Clark County Courthouse, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 1, 1978.

Arkadelphia and Choosing Your Accommodation

In Arkadelphia, the Clark County Farmer's Market offers fresh produce, local honey, and handmade goods. The market is open seasonally on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon; check the hours before your trip. You can factor a market visit and interest in museums into your plans, while DeGray Lake, the Caddo River, and cycling trails offer other vacation activities to focus on.

When searching for a vacation rental in Clark County, it helps to first prioritize the experiences you want to shape your days: water, cycling, wildflowers, or history. Use the places and activities that matter to you as a guide. Arkadelphia and Caddo Valley offer different starting points for planning your trip.

Explore more destinations: Sebastian, Crittenden, Stone County, Crawford, Ashley County, Saline County.

For the broader travel overview: Arkansas.