The Ouachita-Black River System extends through Arkansas and Louisiana. The Ouachita River derives its name from the Washita Indian word meaning “good hunting grounds: and “sparkling silver waters.” The Washita Indians that once resided in the region around the river, along with the Caddo, Tensas, Osage Nation, Choctaw, and Chickasaw peoples, were known for building earthen mounds hundreds of years ago, which have been discovered in the area.
A system of four locks and dams along the river system managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers manages water flow to control flooding to developed areas, assists watercraft transportation along the waterway and provides recreational space along the river at COE sites. The system of dams and locks was completed in 1924 and has lock chambers that are over 80 feet wide and up to 600 feet long.
There are 23 recreation sites along the Ouachita-Black River system, with the Jonesville Pool location site 12 miles south of Jonesville, Louisiana, and the Jonesville Landing Recreation Area located in town. The COE recreation sites have boat ramps and picnic sites for locals and visitors to enjoy. The Corps of Engineers, Jonesville Landing Recreation Area has a comfort station, boat ramp,picnic shelter, playground, and parking. The Jonesville Pool site is located at the Jonesville Lock and Dam Recreation Area which is 12 miles south of Jonesville. This COE recreation site offers eight picnic sites, a reservable group picnic shelter, comfort station, boat launch with a ramp and parking area.
Visitors to the Jonesville Lock and Dam can see the flood control and navigation facility’s structures up close and get a better understanding of how these structures function. They can also enjoy the waterway and its natural surroundings from maintained and serviced picnic and recreation areas.
Other nearby state parks that you may choose to visit in the region on your next RV camping trip include Bruin State Park, Chicot State Park, and Jimmie-Davis State Park. Louisiana RV rentals can be located at RV Rentals Louisiana.
The Jonesville Lock and Dam Recreation Area at the Ouachita-Black River-Jonesville Pool has a parking facility to accommodate 35 vehicles. There is also a recreation area located in Jonesville, at the Jonesville Landing Recreation Area, which has parking to accommodate 45 vehicles. Parking for large RVs may be limited.
The Jonesville Landing Recreation Area is located on Highway 124 just off of highway 84, while the Jonesville Lock and Dam Recreation Area is located 12 miles south of the town off Highway 124.
To reach the Lock and Dam located on the Ouachita-Black River system travel south from Jonesville on Highway 124 and turn left on the Lock and Dam Road. While Highway 124 is well paved and easy for RVs to navigate, the access road to the Jonesville Lock and Dam is gravel surfaced. The access road can be dusty in dry weather and muddy during wet weather, so use caution. Note that the parking area here is not big enough for vehicles towing trailers to turn around, or for large RVs to negotiate.
It is about a two and a half hour drive from Lafayette, Louisiana to the Jonesville Pool recreation areas. From Lafayette, go north on Interstate 49 then take State Highway 28 east. Highway 28 becomes Highway 84. At Jonesville turn south, right, at the intersection of Highway 124 and proceed 12 miles south to the Lock and Dam site or to the Jonesville Landing Recreation Area near the intersection of Routes 124 and 84.
From Ouachita-Black River-Jonesville Pool you can access overnight camping one hour and 16 minutes away at Natchez State Park in Mississippi. Take route 84 east of Jonesville and turn east again on Route 65, then east again at Route 128. At St. Joseph take Route 604 north to the state park and campground. The park has paved roads and is well signed.
From the Jonesville Pool on the Black River, it is about a one hour and 16 minute drive east to the Natchez State Park Campground in Mississippi. RV campers looking for excellent overnight camping, in a beautiful setting, with amenities and services will not be disappointed in this accommodating state campground. There are 68 paved campsites in total, including 10 cabins, 8 primitive sites, and 50 standard sites with electric hookups. Many sites also have water hookups, and 6 sites have sewer hookups as well.
Amenities include bathhouses with access to hot showers and flush toilets and there is an RV dump station just outside the campground. There are also laundry services available. While there is no wifi, cellular service is accessible in the park. Pets are permitted; however, dogs must remain on a leash in the park and campground. The historic town of Natchez is just 10 miles away and features elegant mansions dating prior to the civil war.
Anglers will be pleased to hear that the largest bass caught in the state, weighing over 18 pounds, was caught in the lake here in 1992! The campground is open year around, with peak season being from mid May to mid August. Other amenities include a disc golf course, boat launch, BBQs, comfort station, hiking trails, picnic shelters, and a ranger station.
Enjoy wildlife watching from the Jonesville Pool locations along the Ouachita-Black River while visiting the recreation areas, hiking, or boating along the river. The slow-moving waters and surrounding wilderness areas provide habitat for a variety of wildlife.
The US Army Corp of Engineers enhances the wildlife habitat in the area with supplemental food plots that are cleared and planted to support wildlife species with food and nesting sites and with prescribed burn to control vegetation. Bird watchers can spot migrating waterfowl, bald eagle, bluebirds, and other native species in the region. Whitetailed deer are also frequently spotted in the region and along the river sites. Have a camera ready to capture your discoveries!
The Jonesville Landing Recreation area has a reservable group picnic shelter and multiple picnic sites at their location in the town of Jonesville. This site also has a comfort station and playground for visitors. The Jonesville Lock and Dam Recreation Area has eight picnic sites and a group picnic shelter south of the town in a more natural setting.
The Lock and Dam site also allows visitors to see the lock system operation that allows watercraft to navigate the river system and adds interest to this great picnic site.
Boat launches at both the Corps of Engineers, Jonesville Landing Recreation Area and Jonesville Lock and Dam Recreation Area provide excellent paved ramps for watercraft to access the Black River.
Boats can navigate up and down the river using a system of locks which allow travel to the upper and lower pools. Warm weather in the summer makes the river ideal for watersports, sightseeing, and fishing activities from a boat. Kayakers and canoeists can also use the waterway as the waters are slow-moving.
Hunting on public lands in the Ouachita-Black River basin is a popular pastime. Be sure to have a valid state license and obey all rules and regulations carefully, as well as practice firearms safety while hunting in the region.
Waterfowl and deer are prevalent and available in the area for harvesting by hunters. There are even mobility impaired deer hunts organized by local sportsman organizations that allow ADA patrons to participate in organized hunts to control whitetail deer populations along the river system.
The Black River is slow-moving and in the summer months, heat makes fish in the area sluggish. Fishing in the cooler off-season months provides more lively sport fish. The area of the Black River near Jonesville provides access to four rivers for fishing activity, the Black River being a southern extension of the longer Ouachita River system. Check out the small backwater area on the eastern side of the river just before the dam for great fishing at the Jonesville Lock and Dam site. Largemouth and spotted bass are frequently found game fish in the waterway. Be sure to have a valid state fishing license and obey local limits.
Enjoy short hikes from the Jonesville Pool recreation areas, or longer treks in the larger Wilderness Management and National Forest areas in the region. While staying at the Natchez State Park check out the Natchez State Park Trail, a one-mile easy hiking-only trail that provides a relaxing stroll for RV campers staying at the campground. During the summer months, soaring temperatures can make hiking uncomfortable. If hiking in the heat, pack plenty of water. Off-season hiking is cooler when extreme temperatures abate somewhat.
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