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Contact Gillham Project Office

Location

Gillham Project Office

1986 Highway 70 West
De Queen, Arkansas 71832

Phone

Project Office: 870-584-4161

Email

ceswl-gh@usace.army.mil

Quick Links

Check Availability at Gillham Lake
Big Coon Creek Reservations
Cossatot Reefs Reservations
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Little Rock District
Gillham Lake - Recreation Activities

Gillham Lake Recreation Activities

Discover outdoor adventures on "The Bright Spot on the Cossatot" - from world-class fishing to scenic camping and water sports.

Camping

Two scenic campgrounds with modern amenities - Big Coon Creek and Cossatot Reefs

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Winnona Brewer welcomes visitors to Gillham Lake

Ms. Nonie invites everyone to the campgrounds on Gillham Lake. After spending thirty-three years making them shine, she truly has made the parks at the lake the bright spots on the Cossatot!

Big Coon Creek Campground

Location: 6 miles northeast of Gillham via County Road, close to dam

Description: Campground is located on the lake and is close to the swimming area.

Facilities:

  • 31 sites with electricity and water
  • Trailer dump station
  • Showers and flush toilets
  • Boat ramp
  • Swim beach
  • Playground
  • Two hiking trails
Mar 1 - Oct 31: $14-$16
Nov 1 - Feb 28: $10
Open Year-Round

Reservations & Information:
Phone: 870-385-7126
Online: Recreation.gov

Cossatot Reefs Campground

Location: 6 miles northeast of Gillham via County Road, located on the Cossatot River

Description: Campground is in a wooded, secluded area.

Facilities:

  • 30 campsites with electricity and water
  • Flush toilets and showers
  • Playground
  • Amphitheater
  • Picnic areas
  • 1 picnic shelter ($25 per day)
  • Boat ramp
  • 1 hiking trail
Mar 1 - Oct 31: $14-$16
Nov 1 - Dec 31: $10
Open Year-Round

Reservations & Information:
Phone: 870-386-7261
Online: Recreation.gov

Check Availability: See what's open at Gillham Lake

Boating

Five boat launch ramps with day use fees - enjoy 1,370 acres of pristine water

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Boating on Gillham Lake

Gillham Lake includes 1,370 surface acres of the best bass fishing around. There are five launch ramps that require a day use fee of $3.00 or you may purchase an Annual Day Use Pass for $30 that is valid for the entire year.

Canoeing on the Cossatot River: The river can be canoed from a point below the dam to U.S. Highway 71 South, a distance of about 16 miles. For shorter canoe trips, there are access roads to the river at Mize Crossing and Ladd Bridge.

Boating Safety Guidelines

  • Do not overload your boat
  • Boats must not approach closer to the dam than indicated by warning signs or buoy lines
  • If your boat capsizes stay with it and use it as a life preserver
  • Standing in a boat can lead to disaster
  • Head for shore if bad weather threatens
  • Slow down when approaching small boats, docks, skiers, or fishermen
  • Help any boat in distress and if you need help call for it
  • Each boat is required to have an approved personal flotation device for each passenger
Day Use Fee: $3.00
Annual Pass: $30.00
5 Launch Ramps

Fishing

World-class bass fishing plus crappie, catfish, and more species

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Fishing on the Cossatot River
Premier Fishing Destination: Gillham Lake offers some of the best bass fishing around with 1,370 surface acres of pristine water.

Fishing provides many hours of enjoyment at Gillham Lake. The species most actively sought are smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, and various species of sunfish. In addition, white bass and walleye have been introduced in an effort to provide an improved fishery.

Fish Species

  • Bass: Smallmouth, Largemouth, and Spotted Bass
  • Panfish: Crappie and various species of Sunfish
  • Catfish: Channel and Flathead Catfish
  • Other Species: White Bass and Walleye

Note: Most of the species found in the lake are also present in the downstream areas of the Cossatot River, providing excellent river fishing opportunities as well.

Hunting

Hunt whitetail deer, turkey, quail, and other game on thousands of acres

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Flock of Turkey's in Little Coon Creek Park
Hunting Areas: All project lands except the developed public use areas and land around the dam and other project structures are open to public hunting.

Principal Game Species

  • Whitetail Deer
  • Wild Turkey
  • Bobwhite Quail
  • Mourning Dove
  • Grey and Fox Squirrel
  • Cottontail Rabbits

Access Information

Due to the absence of public roads, access to some areas is difficult. For the most part, direct access is afforded by the public use area roads and timber roads that are open to the public. Some of the more remote areas are accessible only by boat.

Important: Hunters must follow all Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations. Always check for current hunting seasons and licensing requirements.

Picnicking

Three designated areas plus two group shelters perfect for family reunions

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Picnicking at the shelter in Cossatot Reefs Park

Picnic areas are available at many of the sites on Gillham Lake. There are three designated picnicking areas and two group shelters which are great for family reunions.

Picnic Shelter Features

  • Lighted shelters with electricity
  • Barbeque grills
  • One shelter located on the lake
  • One shelter located on the Cossatot River

Picnic Area Locations

  • Cossatot Point
  • Little Coon Creek
  • Big Coon Creek
  • Cossatot Reefs

Shelter Reservations:

Cossatot Reefs: 870-386-7261
Big Coon Creek: 870-385-7126

Swimming

Designated swimming beach at Big Coon Creek - day use fee required

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Preston, Winnona and Bucky the Beaver promote water safety
Swimming Beach: Although Gillham Lake is known mostly for its fishing, there is one designated swimming area located at Big Coon Creek.

Users must pay a daily fee or purchase an annual pass to use the beach.

Water Safety Reminder: Bucky the Beaver reminds everyone to always wear a life jacket while out on the lakes!

Swimming Safety Tips

  • Always swim in designated areas
  • Never swim alone
  • Wear a life jacket if you're not a strong swimmer
  • Watch children closely at all times
  • Be aware of changing weather conditions
  • Follow all posted safety signs and guidelines
Day Use Fee Required
Annual Pass Available