Outlet Channel Day Use

Summary

Outlet Channel Day Use Area at Arkabutla Lake offers the perfect setting for families looking to enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and biking. The area also boasts a combined 30,000 acres of public hunting lands, two hiking trails, and a new playground. Visitors can also take part in the interpretive trails to educate themselves on the local wildlife and ecosystem.

Overview

Outlet Channel Day Use Area sits along Arkabutla Lake and Dam in the hills of northwest Mississippi. The dam project is on the Coldwater River and offers some of the best sailing east of the Mississippi River.

Recreation

Families come to Arkabutla Lake to enjoy the great outdoors by fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and biking. 

Wildlife management areas around Arkabutla Lake boast a combined 30,000 acres of public hunting lands where whitetail deer, wild turkeys, quail and waterfowl roam.

Several trails wind around the lake and throughout the nearby landscape. The Coldwater River Nature Trail System encompasses two hiking trails as well as an interpretive trail that helps educate hikers on the wildlife and ecosystem. The Swinging Bridge Nature Trail is also nearby, and includes a section of land that was part of the river prior to the dam being built. This trail is also an interpretive educational trail.

Thousands of people each year visit Arkabutla Lake to go fishing. The lake is home to several species of native fish to Mississippi waters, such as largemouth bass, bream, catfish and crappie.

Facilities

The Outlet Channel has a tent camping area, access to the Swinging Bridge Nature Trail and the Coldwater Trail system. There is also a newly constructed playground, fishing at the outlet channel, individual picnic sites and a group picnic shelter. 

Natural Features

The pavilion is situated on the riverfront, among rolling hills forested with a shady mixture of oak, hickory, beech, sweet gum and birch trees.