DeGray Lake Resort State Park near Arkadelphia is one of many state parks that offer spring break activities for families. Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Category: Arkansas' Great Outdoors

Time together outside shapes spring memories

Disc golf is a popular activity at DeGray Lake and other Arkansas State Parks. Photo courtesy of Arkansas Department o Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

Most schools in Arkansas schedule spring break in March, allowing families to enjoy the great outdoors together for an entire week!

If you would like to stay closer to home, there are many family-friendly and rejuvenating experiences within the state. The Arkansas State Parks website (arkansasstateparks.com)
features a map to help you find the park closest to you, along with information on amenities and activities.

A favorite family spring break trip involved taking our camper to DeGray Lake Resort State Park near Arkadelphia, where we stayed in one of their Class AAA sites with full hookups. The campsite had plenty of space nestled in the woods. When choosing your site, you have the options of a lake view or a forest view. The natural tree canopy made us feel like we were deep in the woods and far from the busyness of our hectic schedules.

During our stay, we enjoyed a lively park interpreter who ferried our group out to the island and led a hike, showing us all kinds of clues about how the owls live and hunt. The boys (ages 10 and 15 at the time) also made a craft at another interpretive event.

Spring break hikes uncover hidden gems and create special moments. Photo courtesy of Wing family.

Most parks have interpreters who specialize in that park, and they work hard to add more activities during spring break. Event schedules can be found online and are also available in printed form upon check-in. If you or another in your party has a certain interest, be sure to call in advance and ask what options might be available. Park interpreters make efforts to accommodate guest needs and interests. Take advantage of their knowledge to enhance your experience at our amazing state parks.

Some in our family chose to play the golf course; we all played a game of disc golf, hiked and bonded during our cast-iron dinners and fireside chats. There are so many options for activities at DeGray Lake that we did not have time to take advantage of the sunset cruise, basketball or tennis courts, fishing or the paddleboats.

We left feeling refreshed and wanting to return for more. Every park’s website will list their amenities and recreation options, along with scheduled activities so you can plan ahead to enjoy family time outside during spring break!

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