surrounding the 13,800-acre lake, visitors who want to occupy one of
the 113 sites at Arkansas's only resort state park should consider
reservations, especially on a sizzling summer weekend.
Many who visit the park are lured by its 96-room lodge and restaurant
located on an island, by its 18-hole golf course, by horseback riding
and by the hope of catching bass, catfish or crappie. But it was a
guided snorkeling trip, one of dozens of programs offered by park
interpreters, that reeled me in on a recent weekend.
At the park's marina, my companion and I -- along with 13 kids and
nine other adults -- boarded a tour boat. Kelly Farrell and DeAnna
Balthazor, our interpretive guides for the trip, handed out
lifejackets, masks and snorkels. As we headed across the lake, Kelly
demonstrated the proper mask and snorkel fit. The kids responded with
laughter when she said the best way to defog the masks was to spit in
them.
Five minutes and a mile from the marina, we rounded Tall Island,
anchored the boat and anxiously waited to get wet as Kelly cited a
few last safety rules. When one of the kids asked her about
alligators, she said -- much to our relief -- that the water was too
cold for them. But it soon proves the perfect temperature for us.
We plopped into the water and dipped our heads into the tranquil
milieu. There was about 12 feet of visibility, but on a good day,
Kelly said, snorkelers can see as far as 20 feet.
The Caddo River -- which was dammed to create DeGray Lake -- had
shaped the steep slopes of what's now Tall Island when it was a peak
standing beside the river's former channel. Kelly said it was now an
ideal place to see fish and other wildlife. She was right. It didn't
take long before I spotted fish lurking among the lofty underwater
boulders and aquatic plants. Sensing my excitement, Kelly added that
I should be on the lookout for sunfish on their beds, particularly
males guarding eggs.
"This is really a neat program," Kelly said. "If people want to learn
about what's out there, they can. That's what we [the interpreters]
are here for. Or, if they just want to go out and have fun, they
can."
While my companion and I opted for the more educational experience,
listening as Kelly and Deanna shared their knowledge of the lake,
many of the others swam out to explore on their own. The quiet was
pierced by giggles as the kids zealously scouted the shoreline in
search of fish and crawdads.
Eventually, 10-year-old Kailey Rose from Tulsa, Okla., joined us.
When I later asked her why, she said snorkeling with her friends had
been fun, but the best part of the trip was learning about the
mussels, fish and geological formations we encountered. Kailey had
been on other interpretive trips, but this one, she said, had been
her favorite. Mine, too.
In little more than an hour and a half, we climbed back into the boat
and motored back to the marina with smiles on our faces, watching
turtles sunbathe by the dock.
The snorkeling program is offered almost daily, beginning after
Memorial Day through mid-September. Cost is $6 for adults and $3 for
children 6-12. The minimum snorkeling age is 6 and children under 13
must be accompanied by an adult. Reservations, which can be made by
calling (501) 865-2811, are recommended and can be made beginning 24
hours in advance of each trip. Participants should bring sunscreen
and shoes that can get wet. Participants are also welcome to bring
disposable underwater cameras and their own snorkeling gear.
Other Interpretive Programs at DeGray
Other interpretive programs at the park include a variety of guided
nature hikes, evening slide shows, lake tours, sunset cruises and
kayaking adventures. Other topics range from the area's Native
American history to creating backyard bird-watching areas. Programs
are offered daily (five to seven programs per day) from Memorial Day
through Labor Day, and every weekend during the fall and spring. In
addition, bald eagles and migrating waterfowl winter on DeGray Lake,
and from late October through February the park's eagle-watching
tours are popular.
When You Go
Campsites with water and electricity and located near bathhouses with
showers can be reserved by calling (501) 865-2801. To reserve rooms
at the lodge, phone 1-800-737-8355. For more information on
interpretive programs and other recreational and educational
opportunities at DeGray Lake Resort State Park, phone (501) 865-2801
or visit www.degray.com.
The park is located off Ark. 7, about six miles north of Arkadelphia
and Interstate 30 or about 25 miles south of Hot Springs.
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