DeQueen Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineer project for the purpose of flood control and water quality and supply. The lake also provides excellent recreational activities and habitat for fish and wildlife. The dam was completed in 1977, and the Corps of Engineer DeQueen area surrounding the lake occupies 8700 acres with 37 miles of shoreline. DeQueen Lake is four miles northwest of the City of DeQueen, Arkansas, on the Rolling Fork River in Sevier County. The Ouachita Mountains and National Forest are located a short distance northeast of the COE DeQueen lake area and the Lake Ouachita State Park provides additional camping and recreational activities nearby. RV rentals in the DeQueen area can be found at DeQueen Arkansas RV Rentals for visitors who are looking to discover the excellent RVing opportunities in the region.
There are three picturesque, private, and natural overnight campgrounds situated on DeQueen Lake, which is ideal for boating, fishing, water sports, and swimming activities. For more detailed information and campground reservations visit DeQueen Lake Information and Reservations.
The natural resources around DeQueen Lake are carefully managed to preserve habitat for local wildlife by the Corps of Engineers, Arkansas Game and Fish Commision, and several volunteer groups who work to ensure healthy wildlife habitat in hunting and non hunting areas.
The nearby City of DeQueen provides amenities and services for campers at DeQueen Lake. The city is south of the lake eight miles and east five miles.
RVers heading to the Bellah Mine Campground can take Highway 71 north from the city of McQueen for 7 miles, then turn left to head west on the Bellah Mine Road. Proceed for five miles and follow the signs to the campground.
To get to the Oak Grove campground take Highway 71 north from McQueen for three miles and turn left to head west on DeQueen Lake Road for 5.3 miles, then follow the signs to the Oak Grove Campground.
The Pine Ridge Campground is also accessible from Highway 71. Travel three miles north from McQueen then take the DeQueen Lake Road west for 5.5 miles, turn left/west, again, on County Road and follow the signs to the Pine Ridge Campground.
Using State Highway 49 it is about a 1 hour and 19 minutes drive from Texarkana, and 2 hours and 20 minutes north on highway 49 from Shreveport, Louisiana.
Access roads are two lane, paved roads, appropriate for RV use. The DeQueen Lake Road goes over the dam and streams with bridges which are wide enough for RV travel.
Located in a wooded area with a mix of pine and hardwood trees, all campsites at Pine Ridge are shady and private. There are 45 sites that have water and electric services and can accommodate mid sized to larger RVs up to 52 feet in length. Facilities like showers, flush toilets, and a dump station make this a great RV campsite. Enjoy a hot shower at the end of a long day of play on the lake!
A boat ramp allows recreational boaters to get their watercraft on the lake with ease, and there is a picnic group picnic shelter on site. A playground provides entertainment for families with little ones, and there are picnic tables and fire rings at each site. Enjoy a campfire at your site at the end of the day and get making some memories!
Pine Ridge is open all year long, with the peak season from May until September. During the off peak season, the campsites are first come first serve but they can be reserved during the peak season.
The Oak Grove Campground is also open year around, with a reservable sites during the peak season between May and September, and first come first served sites during the off season. Oak Grove has 36 large sites, and a reservable group picnic shelter. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, sani-dump station and drinking water. RV campers using Oak Grove will find a designated swimming area to enjoy the lake waters and a boat ramp to launch watercraft.
Enjoy the natural lake by taking a dip or venturing out on the water. Other recreational opportunities at Oak Grove include a horseshoe pit, day use area, playground, and volleyball courts. There are electric sites with 30 amp electrical hookups and water hookups available for RVs, and camp sites also have fire rings and picnic tables with shelters. Campsites are not near the water. There are also tent only sites available.
Located on the north end of DeQueen Lake, there are 24 well shaded campsites at Bellah Mine Park. The campground can accommodate large RVs with sites that can accommodate 95 foot units and has 50 amp electrical services and some water hookup sites available. Some sites are located on the waterfront and are reservable, so plan ahead to get a spot right on the lake. This campground has amenities like drinking water, showers, flush toilets, and a trailer dump station.
New to RVing and need advice on using a dump station? Check out the following article for tips on How to Dump an RV Black Water Tank. You will also find a beautiful picnic area to enjoy outdoor meals with a reservable group picnic shelter, a playground, and a boat ramp to get watercraft into the water. Bellah Mine is open year round with peak season being from May to September. Off peak season sites are first come first served.
There are several picnic sites in day use areas and at campgrounds around DeQueen Lake. There are also reservable group picnic shelters that make great venues for family reunions and organizations looking for a recreational outing. Picnic shelters have electric power, lights and barbeque grills.
Glen Canyon, Rolling Fork, Storey Creek, Oak Grove, Pine Ridge and Bellah Mine all have picnic areas and shelters suitable for group use. Pack up some outdoor fare and head out for a meal al fresco!
There are three recreational areas that have designated swimming areas, Oak Grove, Rolling Fork and Storey Creek. Swimming area users must pay a day use fee or purchase and annual pass. Swimming is best enjoyed in the summer months when the weather is warm.
Use caution in swimming areas which are not monitored by lifeguards. Stay in areas appropriate to your swimming ability, and keep within designated swimming areas that are marked, so watercraft can avoid interfering with swimmers. Keep children within arms reach; life preservers are recommended for non-swimmers and children.
There are boat ramps at all three campgrounds and recreational areas, allowing visitors to easily launch watercraft on the lake. There are some buoyed areas, designated swimming areas, and diving areas marked by red flags with white diagonal stripes that must be avoided by boaters. Boaters on the lake enjoy sightseeing, waterskiing, and jet skiing.
Kayakers and canoers also frequent the lake. Motorized boats should watch out for human powered and wind powered craft that are less maneuverable on the water. Ensure all passengers have personal flotation devices and that watercraft are operated in accordance with local regulations.
Hunting is a popular pastime around DeQueen Lake, which is open to hunters during appropriate hunting seasons. With the exception of the dam area, the COE project lands are open to the public for hunting activities.
Ensure you have a valid license and observe gun safety and hunting laws for the region. Game you will find in the region induce bobwhite quail, mourning dove, wild turkey, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit and deer.
There are no designated or maintained hiking trails around DeQueen Lake or in the COE areas. However, the 8700 acres of natural areas around the lake provide ample opportunity for a wilderness hike, and hiking activities are welcome anywhere on the COE project lands.
Enjoy a trek in the fall when autumn leaves make the forested areas vibrant with color. Good hiking boots are recommended for unmaintained trails and natural areas to keep feet dry and provide ankle support and traction on rough slippery natural trails in the area.
Fishing enthusiasts and anglers may enjoy fishing during the off season when there are less visitors using the lake for recreational purposes and disturbing the local fish populations. Ensure you have a valid fishing license for the State of Arkansas and are aware of rules and regulations.
Fish species in the lake include large mouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, black and white crappie, channel and flathead catfish, and several species of sunfish. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission also stock the lake with a hybrid striped bass that is a sought after game fish.
