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Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas, USA

Horseshoe Lake is a 2,362-acre lake located six miles east of the town of Hughes in Crittenden County, Arkansas. Horseshoe Lake was once part of the mighty Mississippi River. As the river changed course over time, many oxbows were left behind to become independent landlocked lakes. These often U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped lakes were further isolated in the 1920s when the Mississippi River levee system was built. No…
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    • All About Horseshoe Lake, AR

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Arkansas - Delta Region, AR -

    Horseshoe Lake is a 2,362-acre lake located six miles east of the town of Hughes in Crittenden County, Arkansas. Horseshoe Lake was once part of the mighty Mississippi River. As the river changed course over time, many oxbows were left behind to become independent landlocked lakes. These often U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped lakes were further isolated in the 1920s when the Mississippi River levee system was built. No longer connected to the Mississippi, Horseshoe Lake is not subject to constant water level fluctuations. This consistent habitat is favored by fish and has made Horseshoe Lake a favorite with anglers.

    Horseshoe Lake is private, but the public is allowed to fish and boat on the lake. Because the lake depends solely on the current water table and rainfall in the area, the average depth of Horseshoe Lake is 5 feet with a maximum depth of 25 feet. There are two private pay boat ramps for launching a boat onto the lake. The north access point is also home to a small campground and marina with a fishing dock, restaurant, restrooms and gas station. Although surrounded by rich, delta farmland, the lake is famous for its open water and massive stands of ancient cypress trees.

    Fishing, boating, and waterskiing are the main recreation on Horseshoe Lake. Fishing for largemouth bass is excellent year-round. The cypress trees, fallen timber, lily pads and numerous wooden docks that belong to lakeside homes offer anglers multiple opportunities for shallow water fishing. Many trophy-size bass have been taken from the dense beds of water lilies and cattails on the inside bend of the lake. The lake does not have a length limit, but the daily creel limit is 10 bass per angler. Largemouth bass and bluegill are the predominant fish in the lake. Note: Although most fish taken from Arkansas lakes and streams are safe to eat, refer to the National Listing of Fish Advisories (link below) before eating fish caught from any Arkansas waterway.

    For lodging and vacation rentals, there are several private homes for rent on Horseshoe Lake and additional real estate in the surrounding area. The town of Horseshoe (population 321), named after the lake, sits on the eastern tip of the lake.

    Additional outdoor recreation for visitors to Horseshoe Lake can be found at Village Creek State Park, located northwest of the lake. Facilities at this 7,000-acre park include two fishing lakes, rental boats, hiking trails, campsites, tennis courts, ball fields, swimming, and duck hunting.

    St. Francis National Forest sits southhwest of Horseshoe Lake and covers 22,600 acres. Recreational opportunities abound for camping, hiking, swimming, fishing, hunting, boating, scenic drives, picnics sites, and wildlife viewing.

    Just over the border from Horseshoe Lake in the state of Mississippi, sparkling Arkabutla Lake is a popular vacation destination. Over two million visitors a year enjoy the lake’s recreational activities and beauty. Fishing, hunting, swimming, sailing, boating, camping, picnicking and wild life viewing are just a few of the activities that make this lake so popular.

    North of Horseshoe Lake is Memphis, one of the most exciting cities in Tennessee. Home to Graceland, the Memphis Zoo, Beale Street, Mud Island River Park, museums, theaters, art galleries, parks and plenty of opportunity for great food, original music, and professional sports explains why this city attracts people from all over the country.

    Whether you crave the buzz of a big city or seek to commune with the great outdoors, Horseshoe Lake is the perfect destination for your next vacation or weekend getaway.

    Things to Do at Horseshoe Lake

    These are some activities in the Horseshoe Lake, AR area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Water Skiing
    • Tennis
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • State Park
    • National Forest
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Horseshoe Lake?

    Horseshoe Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Sunfish
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    Find Places to Stay at Horseshoe Lake

    If you’re considering a Horseshoe Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Horseshoe Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Horseshoe Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Horseshoe Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 2,362 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 203 feet

    Average Depth: 5 feet

    Maximum Depth: 25 feet

    Trophic State: Hypereutrophic

    Horseshoe Lake Map
    Local Weather Forecast

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