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The 2,700-acre, man-made lake that is the center piece for
Poverty Point Reservoir State Park offers visitors an outlet
for a variety of watersport activities and a scenic backdrop
for waterfowl migration each spring and fall.
The reservoir, just three miles north of Delhi in Richland
Parish, was created in 2001 as a water resource for the area
and outdoor recreation outlet.
The site name is derived from a nearby Native American site
consisting of complex earthworks and artifacts. Dubbed the
Poverty Point culture, its people settled on the banks of
Bayou Macon, near what is now the community of Epps, between
1,400 and 700 B.C. Park guests are only 20 minutes away from
Poverty Point State Historic Site for day trips to what has
become a focal point for archaeological research since the
mid 20th century.
The fish and wildlife species inhabiting or migrating through
the reservoir are numerous. Anglers can fish the lake year
round for largemouth bass, black crappie, blue gill and channel
catfish. The region falls within the Mississippi Flyway for
many winged species. Depending on the season, visitors will
see cormorants, ducks, geese and pelicans.
Special attention should be given to any Louisiana black
bear sightings on or near the reservoir. The eastern edge
of the park, along Bayou Macon, contains attractive bear habitat
and visitors are cautioned to keep all exterior cabin areas
and day-use areas cleared of accessible food products and
refuse. Bear-proof containers are provided for waste disposal
throughout the park.
Recreation on the Water
Day-use and overnight visitors will enjoy the lake for fishing
and boating. The two, four-lane boat launches, one at the
North Marina Complex and one at the South Landing, provide
access to the water. Both gated launch areas will be open
daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., including weekends and holidays.
A fish cleaning station is provided at each launch area for
visitor use.
The North Marina Complex, off La. 17 on the northwest corner
of the lake, features a swimming beach area, boat launch,
marina with 48 covered boat slips, concession area, fishing
pier and fish cleaning station. The marina complex will be
open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (closing at 10 p.m. on Friday
and Saturday).
The rental boat slips in the marina complex will be available
on an annual lease basis and distributed to the general public
through a lottery selection procedure conducted by State Parks.
Lease rental fees range from $75 (per month) for those choosing
to use the slip for storage only to $150 (per month) for watercraft
with overnight accommodations that will be used for overnight
stays. Each boat slip provides connections for electricity
and water.
Overnight Accommodations
Four two-bedroom lodges (click here for lodge layout),
each with an upstairs with loft, overlook the south shore
of the lake. The lodges will each sleep 10 people and rent
for $90 per night. Lodges provide full kitchen, bathroom,
screened porches and open deck. Bed linens, basic kitchen
utensils and dishware are provided with each unit. Visitors
must bring their own towels. A covered boat dock is provided
for lodge guests on the southwest shoreline across from the
lodge area.
Nearby Attractions:
Poverty Point State Historic Site – (East of Monroe
and north of I-20 on LA 577 northeast of Epps)--The site is
considered one of the most significant archaeological finds
in the country. It has a complex of Native American ceremonial
mounds built between 1700 and 700 B.C. A museum and guided
tours interpret a culture that once flourished on the site.
Chemin-A-Haut State Park –
(East of LA 139, 10 miles north of Bastrop) – French
for "high road," Chemin-A-Haut is a 503-acre state
park situated on a high bluff overlooking scenic Bayou Bartholomew.
The park offers 26 improved campsites, 14 vacation cabins,
a day use area with a swimming pool, picnic area and 7 playgrounds.
Two barrier-free nature trails and a conference room make
this a popular area year-round.
Lake D'Arbonne State Park –
(5 miles west of Farmerville on LA 2) – A fisherman's
paradise, this 655-acre state park is nestled in a pine forest
and rolling hills along the shores of Lake D'Arbonne. The
park features 18 cabins, 65 improved campsites, a visitors
center, a swimming pool, 4 tennis courts, picnic tables and
grills, 3 fishing piers, a boat ramp and a fish-cleaning station.
Caney Creek Lake State Park
– (Off LA 4 southwest of Chatham, on Lakeshore Drive/State
Road 1209) – Situated on an outstanding bass-fishing
lake, the parks offers 73 improved camping sites, picnicking,
19 cabins, a group camp with a capacity of 120, 2 boat ramps,
a fishing pier, swimming beach and is an ideal spot to launch
biking expeditions.
The Cotton Museum – (Hwy. 65 north, Lake Providence)
– Visitors can get a first-hand look at the day-to-day
operations of a plantation where cotton was the major cash
crop.
Panola Pepper Company – (1414 Holland Delta Drive, Lake
Providence) – Established in the mid-1980s, this company
offers over 30 sauces, seasonings and condiments. Open for
tours 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Tensas National Wildlife Refuge – (Off I-20 via US 65
[Tallulah Exit] or off I-20 via LA 577 [Waverly Exit]) –
This refuge encompasses 57,000-acres of bottomland forest.
Hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing, canoeing, interpreted
trails, a boardwalk and educational programs abound.
Handy Brake National Wildlife Refuge – (6 miles north
of Bastrop on Cooper Lake Road) – Wildlife viewing is
made easy with an observation tower. The site is open daylight
hours only.
Bayou Macon, Russell Sage and Georgia Pacific Wildlife Management
Areas – Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a variety of activities
including waterfowl and game hunting, day-hiking, birding,
fishing and camping at these nearby areas.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Poverty
Point Reservoir State Park – (1500 Poverty Point Parkway,
Delhi, LA 71232; 1-800-474-0392 or 318-878-7536). The site
is three miles north of Delhi with separate South Landing
and North Marina Complex entrances off La. 17. Travelers heading
east or west on I-20 take the Delhi exit and go north.
Lodge reservations can be made by calling 1-877-CAMP-N-LA
(877-226-7652) starting (date to be ann
ounced).
Next Park > St. Bernard State
Park
Information & photos provided by Louisiana Office of State
Parks
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