Daisy State Park

Situated among the scenic foothills of the Ouachita Mountains in southwest Arkansas is Lake Greeson. This 5,000-acre Corps of Engineers impoundment was formed in 1950 when a dam was placed across the Little Missouri River in Pike County. Famous for its clean, clear water which provides fishing enthusiasts with a chance for stripers, black bass, crappie, bream, catfish, white bass and smallmouth, the lake is also stocked with northern pike and walleye; plus above and below the lake is stocked with rainbow trout for winter and spring trout fishing.

Daisy State Park is located on the northern end of Lake Greeson just off US Highway 70 near the town of Daisy. The park is surrounded by vast timberlands of pines and hardwoods (privately owned); add the Ouachita National Forest just a few miles to the north, and this outdoor bonanza offers a variety of year-round recreational pursuits to the public. From fishing, boating, camping, hiking, swimming, waterskiing and scuba diving, to in-season hunting on timber company and US Forest Service lands (no hunting allowed in state parks), to touring the back country roads, south-west Arkansas offers some of the most spectacular mountain scenery, wildlife viewing and outdoor fun found in the state.

During your stay at Daisy State Park, you may want to visit the Caney Creek Wilderness Area, Camp Albert Pike, Shady Lake, Little Missouri Falls, Winding Stairs - all located in the nearby Ouachita National Forest - where cascading streams, mountain trails and high country picnic sites provide days of enjoyable outings. White water floating is enjoyed by many on the Little Missouri, Cossatot and Caddo Rivers. The Little Missouri float from Albert Pike to Highway 70 at Lake Greeson is approximately 20 miles. Floats can be divided into two sections - Albert Pike to Highway 84 near Langley (8.5 miles) and Highway 84 to Lake Greeson. The Little Missouri is for experienced paddlers with rapids up to Class IV on the upper section. The Cossatot River from Highway 246, near Vandervoort, to Highway 4, near Umpire, provides for 10 miles of floating up to Class V. This area was recently acquired by Arkansas State Parks to be preserved and developed for future recreation. The Caddo River has about 20 miles for floating from Norman to Amity. This can be divided into three floats beginning at Norman to Caddo Gap (6 miles). The second from Caddo Gap to Glenwood at Highway 70 (6 miles). The third from Highway 70 to 1 + miles north of Amity (8 miles). The Caddo is an excellent river for beginners and family outings with rapids to Class II. Floating is dependent on rainfall and is generally confined to spring and early summer. A new 18 hole golf course is nearby in Glenwood. It is approximately 18 miles from Daisy State Park. Just 23 miles south of Daisy near Murfreesboro is Crater of Diamonds State Park, which contains the only diamond-producing volcanic "pipe" open to the public in North America. For a small fee, anyone can search for diamonds in their original kimberlite soil matrix and keep all they find! Diamonds found at the Crater range from a few points to the 40.43 carat "Uncle Sam," the 16.37 carat "Amarillo Starlight," found in 1975 by a Texas visitor while camping at Daisy State Park, and the 8.82 carat "Star of Shreveport," found in 1981. More than 70,000 diamonds have been found at the Crater since the first diamonds were discovered in 1906.

Facilities

Camping - Open year-round, Daisy State Park offers a wide variety of camping experiences. For visitors needing water and electrical hook-ups, 97 campsites with asphalt-surfaced pads are available. The park also offers 21 tent sites (no hookups), 10 of which are for hike-in camping only, for visitors who wish a more "primitive" camping experience. All camping sites are equipped with tables and grills, plus seven clean, modern bathhouses and a sanitary dump station are handy to all. Two concrete-paved boat launch ramps, adjacent to the lakeside campgrounds (see map on reverse side), are available free of charge.

Picnicking - Scattered among the pines and hardwoods, the shaded picnic sites at Daisy are equipped with tables and grills for cookout fun at no charge. A large, covered pavilion is available for rent to groups by reservation. Plenty of open space surrounds the pavilion, making it ideal for games and other group activities. A playground is also available.

Other Facilities - The Corps of Engineers provides 12 additional campgrounds around the lake near Daisy State Park. Campgrounds are also available at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Stores, service stations, motels, marinas, restaurants, miniature golf, canoe rental, bait and fishing supplies are available in several locations just outside the park.

NOTE: Campers must register at the Visitor Center before occupying a campsite. All sites are assigned; limited reservations available. The pavilion must be reserved at the Visitor Center before being used (deposit required).

Location

From the town of Daisy on US 70, the park is 1/4 mile south; from Hot Springs, travel 50 miles southwest on US 70 to Daisy; from Murfreesboro, go 20 miles on Arkansas 27 to Kirby, then 6 miles west on US 70 to Daisy; from DeQueen, on US 71, travel 41 miles northeast on US 70 to Daisy; from l-30 at Texarkana, take US 71 north 43 miles to US 70 and then drive 33 miles northeast to Daisy.

For further information on park fees, services or pavilion reservations, contact:

Daisy State Park
HC-71, Box 66
Kirby, AR 71950
Telephone: (501) 398-4487 (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For information on Arkansas' other fine state parks, contact:

Arkansas State Parks
One Capitol Mall, 4A-900
Little Rock, AR 72201
Telephone: (501) 682-1191

All park services are provided on a nondiscriminatory basis. Arkansas State Parks is an Equal Opportunity Employer.