Five new camper cabins, 14 campsites now available
(LITTLE ROCK, Ark.) – Mississippi River State Park is now taking reservations for the newly renovated Storm Creek Lake Campground. The campground, located within the Storm Creek Lake Recreational Area, includes five camper cabins; 11 AAA campsites with electricity, water, and sewer; three walk-in tent campsites with electricity and group water; and a family-style bathhouse with four units.
“Storm Creek Lake is a special place to many residents in the Delta. It has been a federal recreational area for more than eight decades,” said Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. “The partnership between the U.S. Forest Service and Arkansas State Parks began in 1999 when Mississippi River State Park was created within the St. Francis National Forest. This partnership continues to benefit the community in new ways, as well as supporting forest conservation and preservation.”
The design inspiration for the five camper cabins is the shipping containers often seen making their journey on the Mississippi River. Large windows and a screened-in porch provide an immersive experience, allowing guests a front-row seat to the night sky and forest surrounding the cabins. The camper cabins have a queen bed and bunk beds, dining table, heating and air conditioning, outdoor grill, fire pit and picnic table. The four-unit bathhouse with hot showers, dressing area, sink and toilet is within eyeshot.
“Camper cabins allow our guests to have an affordable camping experience without having to purchase a lot of camping equipment or be experienced campers,” Arkansas State Parks Director Shea Lewis said. “This investment in the park is an investment in the community and the further expansion of recreational opportunities available in the Delta. Our hope is that we continue to attract generation after generation and Arkansas State Parks remain etched in our visitors’ memories as an important part of their lives.”
Arkansas State Parks originally expanded into the south end of the St. Francis National Forest in 2015. The campground then had 14 primitive campsites, a vault toilet and one shared water source at the campground entrance. Renovations started in early 2020. This recreational area on Crowley’s Ridge with a Works Progress Administration (WPA) era lake now offers visitors a modern camping experience and more outdoor recreation opportunities.
“Arkansas State Parks investing in a new campground will help the park introduce the Storm Creek Lake Recreational Area to a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts,” Mississippi River State Park Superintendent Kristina Root said. “I am honored to have worked on this project from the beginning and look forward to seeing the joy of patrons new and old as they experience this unique place.”
Rowan Construction Services, LLC, of Helena served as general contractor for the project. Pollution Management, Inc. and Wittenberg Delony & Davidson Architects of Little Rock acted as engineering and architecture consultants for project design. The total contracted construction amount for the project was $1,956,608. Funding for construction was made possible by grant awards from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council.
Visitors can make reservations online or by calling the park at 870-295-4040.
About Mississippi River State Park
Mississippi River State Park provides quality access to the St. Francis National Forest and offers visitors endless adventures where the Mississippi River, Crowley’s Ridge, and the Arkansas Delta meet. Visitors can explore everything from hardwood forests to the sandy shores of the Mississippi River while enjoying three lakes, two National Scenic Byways, four hiking trails and three day-use areas. Interpretive programs include tours of historic sites, cooking demonstrations, hiking, biking, kayaking and much more. Facilities include 48 campsites spread throughout three different campgrounds (24 AAA, 19 primitives, 1 group primitive), five camper cabins at Storm Creek Lake Recreational Area, bathhouses, pavilions, a visitor center with exhibits and gift shop, a rentable multi-purpose room, boat launches and fishing piers. Boat, kayak, canoe and bicycle rentals are available.
About Arkansas State Parks
Arkansas State Parks is a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Arkansas state parks and museums cover 54,400 acres of forest, wetlands, fish and wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation facilities, and unique historic and cultural resources. Established in 1923, Arkansas State Parks preserve special places for future generations, provide quality recreation and education opportunities, enhance the state’s economy through tourism, and provide leadership in resource conservation. Arkansas State Parks serves more than 9 million visitors annually. Connect with ASP on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and visit ArkansasStateParks.com and
ArkansasStateParks.com/media to learn more.
About Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
The Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism has three major divisions: Arkansas State Parks, Arkansas Heritage and Arkansas Tourism. Arkansas State Parks manages 52 state parks and promotes Arkansas as a tourist destination for people around the country. Arkansas Heritage preserves and promotes Arkansas’s natural and cultural history and heritage through four historic museums and four cultural preservation agencies. Arkansas Tourism improves the state’s economy by generating travel and enhancing the image of the state.
