Unique Adventures: Kayaking the Cypress Trees in Arkansas

It wasn’t until I was in the middle of my Arkansas State Park Challenge (visiting all 52 Arkansas State Parks) that I realized Arkansas has Cypress Trees. While researching things to do in and around the Delta Heritage Trail State Park, I saw a picture of the Cypress Trees in Arkansas and immediately knew I had to visit.

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Any outdoor enthusiast or nature lover can easily be captivated by the mystique of cypress trees. Kayakers especially can easily be drawn to the unique features and added mystery to their usual water escapades. Although better known for being in the swamps of the deeper south, there are many places in Arkansas where a kayaker can experience kayaking through the cypress trees.

Finding Cypress Trees in Arkansas

As already mentioned, I discovered this beauty in Arkansas while researching The Delta Heritage Trail State Park. On their website, I came across an event called “Old Town Lake Sunset Kayak Tour.” I loved everything about the sound of this. Kayaking? YES. Sunset? YES! Tickets were just $18 per person, but we avoided buying in advance until we saw the park.

When we finally arrived, we talked to the ranger about the tour, which was not happening on the day we were there. He gave us some info and pointed us in the direction of Old Town Lake. The lake wasn’t far from the visitor’s center (20 minutes away) and had ample, easy parking. Once parked, we immediately spotted the mass of cypress trees on the other side of the lake.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says “Old Town Lake is an oxbow lake of the Mississippi River, cut off by the construction of the Mississippi River levee. The lake is characterized by stands of cypress trees and offers beautiful natural views amidst the surrounding Delta lands.”

We had brought our kayaks on this long weekend trip just for the occasion. So we unloaded and immediately took of across the 1200-acre lake toward the Cypress Trees of Arkansas. Our trip occurred in early May. And I could not be more pleased with how it turned out!

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Exploring the Cypress Trees in Arkansas

I was a bit fearful going into the trees, but soon relaxed. It looked as if an alligator could surface any minute in this type of environment (that didn’t happen, of course). But there was still plenty of wildlife. Birds flew all around us. Snakes swam through the water and curled up on logs and trees. They didn’t mind us, so we didn’t mind them.

But the absolute most fascinating part of this trip for me was the abundance of owls. Owls were everywhere in trees, flying around, calling to each other. I had never seen so many owls in one place and in the middle of the day. It was amazing!

Other Places with Cypress Trees in Arkansas

The next day we headed further north to visit the Mississippi River State Park in Marianna and found more lakes with cypress trees in Arkansas. On this particular trip, after speaking with a ranger, we chose Hornor Neck Lake. This 40 acre lake is much smaller than Old Town Lake, and more secluded. And more difficult to drive to. But we made it!

Kayaking tours can be purchased at this lake also, but we chose to go it alone since we had our own kayaks. This lake didn’t fascinate me as much as the prior day’s lake. There were a few birds here and there, but all other wildlife seemed to lack. However, if you want to explore cypress trees without the abundant wildlife, this lake would be perfect.

Our 3rd cypress tree kayaking adventure came almost a year later, in January, at Lake Chicot State Park. Of the 3, this lake was my least favorite for a variety of reasons. Although it had the cypress trees in Arkansas, because of the timing of the year there was minimal wildlife.

Kayaking across the 5,000-acre lake to the cypress trees seemed much further than the prior to lakes we had visited. And the campgrounds were very stark, flooded, and just unimpressive. This is possibly quite a pretty place to visit at certain times in the year. But not in January.

So for the perfect Unique Adventures: Kayaking the Cypress Trees in Arkansas, my vote is Old Town Lake in the spring!

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Hit me up if you have any cool suggestions for Kayaking the Cypress Trees in Arkansas!

Google Map Locations:

Old Town Lake

Hornor Neck Lake

Lake Chicot

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