Lucky Pups Vacation in Lake Village, Arkansas
- Luie Boone
- 1 day ago
- 9 min read
This travel spot is featured in our fifth blog series, Bowwows Belong.
Lake Village sits right on the shores of Lake Chicot, which is not only the largest natural lake in Arkansas but also the largest oxbow lake in all of North America. Luie Boone hears “largest” and immediately assumes this lake was personally designed for dramatic walks and serious reflection. An oxbow lake forms when a river changes course and leaves behind a curved body of water, and in this case Lake Chicot used to be part of the Mississippi River itself. Luie Boone finds this deeply impressive and would like credit for understanding river science.
Back in April 1923, Charles Lindbergh made his very first nighttime flight over Lake Chicot, years before his famous transatlantic journey. Luie Boone would like everyone to know that while he respects aviation history, he believes flying at night sounds unnecessary and would not personally recommend it.
Traveling with a dog does not have to mean giving up charm, comfort, or fun, and Lake Village proves it. This small Delta town is calm, friendly, and well suited to slow mornings, peaceful walks, and sunsets by the water with your dog at your side. Luie Boone thrives in this environment. No crowds, no chaos, just vibes and a solid breeze off the lake.
Outdoor access is one of Lake Village’s biggest strengths for dog owners. Lake Chicot State Park offers shaded trails and quiet lakeside paths that are ideal for relaxed walks. Towering cypress trees line the water, birds drift overhead, and the open space encourages a slower pace. Luie Boone will walk there like he owns the place. Scenic Lakeshore Drive provides another easy option, following the shoreline past historic homes with low traffic and plenty to look at. Luie Boone believes this road exists solely for confident strolling.
Dining in Lake Village is relaxed and dog-friendly, especially outdoors. Chicot Coffee & Cafe welcomes leashed dogs on its shaded patio, making it an easy stop for coffee, pastries, or breakfast. Luie Boone treats this like a professional operation. Rhoda’s Famous Hot Tamales offers casual outdoor seating where dogs can rest comfortably while you enjoy classic Delta comfort food. Luie Boone does not get tamales but feels emotionally involved anyway.
The slower pace of Lake Village is a big part of its appeal. Quiet streets, friendly locals, and wide-open skies create a low-stress environment where dogs naturally fit into daily life. Luie Boone blends in seamlessly, whether walking through town, exploring the park, or supervising sunsets by the lake.
Lake Village also works well as a home base for dog-friendly day trips. Star City, about 75 minutes away, is home to Cane Creek State Park, where leashed dogs are welcome on forested trails and shaded picnic areas. The flat terrain makes it suitable for dogs of all ages, and Luie Boone appreciates a trail that does not surprise him.
Gillett, roughly 90 minutes from Lake Village, is home to Arkansas Post National Memorial, one of the state’s most significant historic sites. Leashed dogs are allowed on the outdoor grounds and walking paths, combining open fields, riverside views, and history. Luie Boone walks respectfully here and does not bark at the past.
Crossett, about 40 minutes away, offers access to Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. Leashed dogs can enjoy quiet boardwalks, wetlands, and forested trails, while Crossett City Park and the Crossett Walking Trail provide additional options for casual walks. Luie Boone is extremely focused during wildlife viewing and takes his job seriously.
McGehee, approximately 35 minutes from Lake Village, is home to the Rohwer Japanese American Relocation Center. Leashed dogs are permitted on the grounds, allowing visitors to move thoughtfully through the site while reading interpretive signage. Luie Boone understands this is a place for slower steps and respectful pauses.
McGehee also provides access to Bayou Bartholomew, the longest bayou in the world. While access is limited, leashed dogs can enjoy quiet roadside walks and shaded views along the slow-moving water. Luie Boone finds the stillness suspicious but calming.
Monticello, about an hour from Lake Village, offers dog-friendly lodging at Days Inn by Wyndham Monticello. The hotel allows two pets up to 60 pounds for a nightly fee and provides a grassy relief area. Luie Boone approves of grassy logistics and efficient planning.
Together, Lake Village and its surrounding towns offer an easy, balanced way to travel with your dog. From lakeside walks and forested state parks to historic sites, quiet roads, and friendly patios, this corner of the Arkansas Delta makes traveling with a dog feel natural, unrushed, and genuinely welcoming. Luie Boone agrees. He has conducted a full inspection and considers it a very good place to be.
Paws Rest Here
Luie Boone paw-selected this perfect vacation rental for your stay at Lake Village, Arkansas. Check it out below!
Rental Name: Little Lake Getaway
This rental has 3 bedrooms with 5 beds and 2 baths.
Photo by Airbnb
It features the following amenities:
Lakefront retreat on Lake Chicot in the heart of the Mississippi River Delta
Pet zone- dog bed and toys for four legged dog guests
Covered and fenced front porch, perfect for keeping dogs safe from leaving the premises
Covered area for grilling.
Pellet smoker and Blackstone griddle for use
Large fenced in backyard with wood burning fire pit and ample room for dog to play outside
Fire pit
Walk to swimming dock
Short walk to a park for pups to burn off extra energy
What does Luie Boone think of this rental? He woofed:
My humans just told me we’re going on vacation to Our Little Lake Getaway in Lake Village, Arkansas, and I’m already excited. It’s right on Lake Chicot, close to downtown, a park, and the dock — which means new smells, outside time, and happy humans. The house welcomes dogs and even has a special pet zone with a dog bed and toys. The bed belongs to the owners’ Great Dane, Ash, so I’ll be respectful as the owners say that Ash would be very sad if his favorite bed was torn up. But, I still feel very important having a vacation space just for dogs. There’s a covered, fenced front porch with a swing for sunrise watching, a covered driveway with a pellet smoker and Blackstone griddle (which means great smells), and a large fenced backyard with room to run and a fire pit for evenings. The kitchen is fully stocked, the dining table overlooks the lake, and the home has some charming older-house quirks like labeled light switches. Mostly, I’m just excited we’re going somewhere that truly welcomes dogs, with space to play, relax, and enjoy the lake together.
Paws Venture Here
Luie Boone sniffed out and dug up these local gems for you to check out while vacationing in Lake Village, Arkansas!
Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge-Woodland Wildlife Trail
This paved trail keeps office hours, just like a very responsible government employee: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. It’s smart to call ahead and double-check they’re open, because Luie Boone would not appreciate showing up excited just to be told it’s a “come back later” situation. The loop itself circles a quiet pond right along the edge where bottomland hardwood forest meets upland pine forest. So, you know, basically nature doing a soft little crossover episode. There’s also a fishing pond with a pier, open for youth, folks 65 and older, and people with disabilities, which Luie Boone says is very unfair because he personally feels qualified. Dogs are welcome but must stay leashed, a rule Luie Boone understands in theory but negotiates emotionally the entire walk.
Lake Chicot
At 20 miles long, Lake Chicot is the largest natural lake in Arkansas and the largest oxbow lake in North America. Its wide, peaceful waters are a favorite for floating, fishing, or stretching out on the shoreline with your best furry buddy. Luie Boone is personally committed to attempting the biggest cannonball possible here, because if this is the largest natural lake in Arkansas, then it simply makes sense to do the largest cannonball in Arkansas too. He has no regrets, no fear, and absolutely no understanding of physics.
Rohwer Heritage Site
The Rohwer Heritage Site, also known as the Japanese American Relocation Center, is a dog-friendly stop in McGehee that carries a lot of history. Set quietly among cotton fields are the remnants of the internment camp where, between 1942 and 1945 during World War II, more than 8,000 Japanese Americans were forced to live within a 500-acre site surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards. Much of the physical camp is gone now, but the stories are very much still here and meant to be remembered. Leashed dogs are welcome to walk the grounds.
Cane Creek State Park
Cane Creek State Park in southeast Arkansas sits in a uniquely important spot, right on the line between two of the state’s geographic regions: the flat Mississippi Alluvial Plain, also known as the Delta, and the rolling West Gulf Coastal Plain. One visit lets you experience both landscapes side by side, which feels a little like cheating geography in the best way. The park’s trail system is a true point of pride, offering routes to trail run, walk with your furry buddy, ride, or backpack through rolling terrain, along the lake, and across three suspension bridges. Luie Boone takes the bridges very seriously, pauses to assess each one, and then decides they are excellent and worthy of a confident strut.
Arkansas Post National Memorial
You and Fido can visit the Battle of Arkansas Post site, explore the historic town area, and spend time wandering the quiet nature trails that surround it. The post was the site of a skirmish during the Revolutionary War and later became an essential location in Arkansas’s Civil War history, making it one of those places where the past feels close and tangible. There is a calm, reflective feeling to the area that invites you to slow down and take it in. Luie Boone moves through the site at a thoughtful pace, pausing often, as if he too understands this is a place where history deserves a little extra time.
Lake Chicot State Park
Lake Chicot State Park, located near Arkansas’s southeastern corner, offers access to Arkansas’s largest natural lake, Lake Chicot, in a setting that feels both expansive and laid-back. The park includes cabins, campsites, a store and marina, fishing piers, a swimming pool, pavilions, picnic areas, and pup-friendly hiking trails that make it easy to settle in for a full day or an entire weekend. Sitting near the Mississippi River, the park lies within one of the largest flyways in the country, which makes it an especially great spot for birdwatching throughout the year. Luie Boone is very invested in this activity, even if his version of birdwatching mostly involves intense staring and dramatic head tilts.
Arkansas Post Museum
Fido is welcome to join you inside the Arkansas Post Museum, a complex made up of five exhibit buildings that tell the story of life on Arkansas’s Grand Prairie and in the Arkansas Delta from 1877 to the present day. The Main House serves as the starting point for your visit and sets the tone for the experience. Two of the buildings on the grounds are original to the Grand Prairie, including the 1877 Refeld-Hinman Loghouse, a classic dogtrot cabin furnished in the style of the 1800s, and the 1933 Carnes-Bonner Playhouse. Admission to the museum is free, which Luie Boone considers excellent news and proof that learning should always come with a relaxed pace and plenty of sniff breaks.
Monticello Coffee Company
Monticello Coffee Company is a community-oriented, independent coffee house with a warm, welcoming atmosphere and a serious commitment to good drinks. They serve top-notch espresso, hand-crafted lattes and cappuccinos made with house-made syrups, along with specialty teas and plenty of other options. Furry friends are more than welcome to tag along and enjoy a pup cup while their humans caffeinate. There is no table service, but the drive-thru makes ordering easy and convenient, which Luie Boone believes is the ideal system because it keeps everyone together and speeds up the important part... which is, of course, getting snacks.
Luie Boone's Pet Peeve about
Lake Village, Arkansas
There's just so much to love about this vacation destination, but there's one thing that's got Luie Boone's leash in a twist. He woofed:
My hoomans have planned a vacation and this time we are going to Lake Village, Arkansas. While I was at the park, I barked the news to another dog and, surprise, he had already been there. I listened very carefully because experienced dogs are basically travel guides. He told me the parks and lakes are beautiful, which sounded excellent and full of good smells, but then he warned me about the deer. Apparently, there are a lot of them and they are unbelievably fast. He said the first deer he ever saw there launched itself away in seconds like it barely touched the ground. His brain wanted to chase so badly, but the deer vanished instantly, leaving him stressed, vibrating, and full of nervous energy with nowhere to run it off. I can already picture this happening to me because I know myself. One second I am calm, the next second a deer appears, and the next second it is gone and my soul has briefly left my body. The trip has not even started and I am already thinking about those lightning fast deer. I am very excited to go, but if one suddenly appears and disappears, I hope my hoomans understand that I might need a moment to reboot. I am not being bad. I am simply deeply impressed by the speed of deer. I hope to one day be as fast as them.
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