Sitting within what was once Indian Territory, Arkansas River – W. D. Mayo Pool is a US Army COE park that features beautiful shorelines lined with resplendent vegetation, and offers nice recreational opportunities for visitors. Located about 13 miles west of Fort Smith, Arkansas, along Arkansas Highway 9, in Oklahoma, this river park can be accessed by road and waterway.
There are plenty of ways to stay active in this park. Visitors can launch their boats and watercraft on to the river from any of the three boat access points available and enjoy pleasure boating. Anglers can also catch a wide variety of fish species that call the park’s waters home. Moreover, pet-walking opportunities are also available. Wildlife enthusiasts will find that there are plenty of viewing and hunting opportunities at this park, particularly as a national wildlife refuge is located nearby. Sightseeing opportunities also abound in the park, during spring and fall, thanks to the beautiful way the park’s flora decorates the area. Other attractions are available at Tenkiller State Park and Tenkiller Ferry Lake.
There are no campgrounds within Arkansas River – W. D. Mayo Pool. However, RV and tent camping options and facilities are available nearby at Robert S. Kerr Pool.
Located about 13 miles west of Fort Smith, Arkansas, along Arkansas Highway 9, W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam is can be accessed by vehicles via a county road off the highway. The boat ramps at this river park are also accessible via local roads. Equipment rentals are available at Sallisaw and Sequoyah State Park.
Parking spaces are available for vacationers and visitors at and around W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam.
There are no direct public transportation services to W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam.
Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam, located on Arkansas River, west of W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam, features three campgrounds that offer tent and RV camping for visitors and vacationers. All the campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The campsites at Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam offer full RV hookups and partial RV hookups and accommodate RVs/trailers up to 35 feet long. Some of the amenities and facilities available include showers and restrooms, playgrounds, dump stations, swimming beaches, picnic tables, and areas.
A host of recreational activities such as wildlife and bird viewing, hunting, picnicking, boating, fishing, and many more are available to visitors and campers.
Three boat access points are available at W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam, each of which offers the chance for visitors to enjoy exciting boating experiences on the Arkansas River. All who wish to explore this US Army COE park’s water are required to be aware of the navigation activities that go on up and down river around the structure. Moreover, heavy barge traffic on the lockage may mean that recreational vessels wait for some time before using the river.
There are excellent fishing opportunities available to visitors and vacationers at W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam as this river park features abundant fish species that can be caught by both experienced and novice anglers. The principal fish species that occur within the river include channel catfish, flathead catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and striped bass. Other fish that anglers at this river park commonly catch are buffalo, carp, walleye, and different sunfish species. So, you’ll do well to come along with your fishing gear.
Hunting enthusiasts enjoy a wide range of hunting possibilities at W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam. This is because there are several game species available within the park. For instance, hunters can go after white-tailed deer, turkey, squirrels, and migratory waterfowl within the designated hunting areas at the park. Furthermore, mourning doves and quail are also available. Also, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, a popular destination for wildlife lovers, is located close to this COE park, so wildlife enthusiasts can take short trips there for extra fun.
Although there are no U.S. Army Corps of Engineers trails located near W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam, there are good opportunities to enjoy casual strolls along the shore of the river. The terrain is generally easy, but it's advisable to have good hiking boots, just to be safe. The local roads in the park also offer opportunities for visitors and vacationers to walk their pets. Note that all pets should be leashed, and it is your responsibility to clean up after them.
There are plenty of sightseeing opportunities at W. D. Mayo Lock and Dam, most of which can be enjoyed by vacationers and visitors on their boats. Launching on to the river offers the chance to see different species of wildlife, waterfowl, and songbirds that reside within and migrate through the park. In addition, the various hardwood trees that line the river provide breathtaking views in the fall season from offshore. During spring, the dogwoods, redbuds, and wild plums in the park are beautiful to behold.
Swimming at this US Army Corps of Engineers park is an exciting activity that is also dangerous at times, owing to the hazards that are associated with the river flows. Beginner and intermediate swimmers at this park are advised not to take a dip in the water, and experienced swimmers are also advised to swim with caution. Some parts of the park are even closed to swimming, particularly near the lock and dam structure. So, if you’ll swim at this park, ensure you are skilled and safe.
