Summer is Coming to an End Summer break is over for most and the kids are back in school, but the weather is still nice and you still have time to come to Lake Charles State Park and enjoy the programing, hiking trails, fishing opportunities, wildlife viewing, self-guided kayak and canoe tours, swimming, and the Nature Center. If your family is looking to spend a few days, we offer camp sites, a Rental RV, and a Rental Yurt which can all be reserved in advance by calling the park office at (870) 878-6595. Lake Charles State Park Program Schedule – August 23rd – September 2nd , 2013 Friday, August 23rd 8:00a.m. – Reptile Hunt – Walk with a Park Interpreter along the Cedar Trail to see how many reptiles and amphibians we can find along the water’s edge. We will look for snakes, turtles, frogs, and lizards. 12:30p.m. – Catch & Feed – Join a park interpreter near the Nature Center to learn how to throw a cast net. We’ll try out this bait catching technique and then feed what we catch to the animals in the nature center. 2:00p.m. – Tom, Jake, and the Hens – Join a park interpreter in the Nature Center for a look at one of America’s most popular game birds, and learn why some thought it should have been our National Bird. Saturday, August 24th 9:00a.m. – Lake Cruise – Come along with a park interpreter on the Pontoon boat for a tour of the lake. It is an excellent wildlife viewing and birding opportunity. It should last about 1 hour and seating is limited so sign up as soon as possible. $7 for adults, $3.50 for kids 6-12, under 6 is free. 1:30p.m. – The Bear State – Join a park interpreter in the Nature Center to learn about Arkansas Black Bears. Why we used to be the Bear State, and where you might find bears today. 7:00p.m. – Sunset Kayak Tour – Join a park interpreter for an evening lake tour via kayak. We’ll tour the lake and see wildlife that visits the water’s edge at dusk. It should last about 1.5 hours. Seating is limited so sign up at Visitor Center. $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and under 6 is free when riding with an adult. Sunday, August 25th 8a.m. – Bird Watching Hike – Join a park interpreter for a hike along the Butterflies & Blooms Trail to do some bird watching, please bring along binoculars and bird guides if you have any, but they are not needed. Friday, August 23rd to Sunday, August 25th 1p.m.-3p.m. – Nature Center – Come down to the Nature Center and see the wildlife we have on display for the summer. A park interpreter will be on hand to answer any questions. Friday, August 30th 9a.m. – Mockernut Trail Hike – Join a park interpreter at the Mockernut Trail head, near the swim beach for a relaxing stroll through the forest. We’ll watch for wildlife, maybe learn something things about the area and the plants and animals that live around Lake Charles. 1:30p.m. – Heat Seekers – Join a park interpreter in the Nature Center to talk about some of Arkansas’ feared residents… The Pit Vipers! We’ll take a closer look and some of them and maybe realize they’re not to be feared, only respected. Saturday, August 31st 9a.m. – Reptile Hunt – Walk with a Park Interpreter along the Cedar Trail to see how many reptiles and amphibians we can find along the water’s edge. We will look for snakes, turtles, frogs, and lizards. 12:30p.m. – Catch & Feed – Join a park interpreter near the Nature Center to learn how to throw a cast net. We’ll try out this bait catching technique and then feed what we catch to the animals in the nature center. 7p.m. – Sunset Lake Cruise – Come along with a park interpreter for an evening on the Pontoon boat. We’ll tour of the lake and enjoy the sunset while we watch for wildlife on the waters of Lake Charles. It should last about 1 hour and seating is limited so sign up as soon as possible. $7 for adults, $3.50 for kids 6-12, under 6 is free. Sunday, September 1st 8a.m. – Bird Watching Hike – Join a park interpreter for a hike along the Butterflies & Blooms Trail to do some bird watching, please bring along binoculars and bird guides if you have any, but they are not needed. 1:30p.m. – The Bear State – Join a park interpreter in the Nature Center to hear about Arkansas’ largest omnivore. We’ll talk about myths and facts about the Black Bear, and learn more about how they live in Arkansas. 7p.m. – Sunset Kayak Tour – Join a park interpreter for an evening lake tour via kayak. We’ll tour the lake and see wildlife that visits the water’s edge at dusk. It should last about 1.5 hours. Seating is limited so sign up at Visitor Center. $10 for adults, $5 for kids 6-12, and under 6 is free when riding with an adult. Thursday, August 29th to Monday, September 2nd 1-3p.m. – Nature Center – Come down to the Nature Center and see the 30+ species of native wildlife we have on display for the summer. A park interpreter will be on hand to answer any questions. Lake Charles State Park is one of the 52 state parks administered by the State Parks Division of the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. The park offers camping, boat launch ramp, a standard pavilion, picnic sites, swim beach, nature center, playground, restrooms and 3 bathhouses on 645-acre Lake Charles. Along with the visitor center and gift shop, the park offers three nature trails and year-round interpretive programs. For more information about park events contact the park at (870) 878-6595 or visit www.ArkansasStateParks.com.
