A Crossett Timber Lake in the Heart of South Arkansas Forest Country
Why Rent On Lake Georgia Pacific
Lake Georgia Pacific lies ten miles from Crossett in Ashley County, a natural-looking reservoir created in 1963 by the Georgia-Pacific Corporation to supply water to three paper mills in Crossett. Named for the mill that shaped this corner of south Arkansas for generations, the lake is surrounded by the rolling pine hills and rugged forest that define Ashley County’s landscape, and its conservation-oriented history has kept the surrounding terrain in a state of remarkable natural beauty.
A South Arkansas Rental in Pine and Hardwood Country
Crossett and the surrounding Ashley County area offer vacation rentals that give families a comfortable home base in one of Arkansas’s most genuinely unspoiled forest landscapes. A cabin or vacation home with a full kitchen, multiple bedrooms, and a porch facing the pine hills provides the foundation for a week of quiet lake life that is specifically suited to the families who come to south Arkansas for its honest, working-forest character rather than resort development. The surrounding Georgia-Pacific lands and the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge nearby extend the outdoor circuit into one of the most biologically productive landscapes in the lower Mississippi valley.
A Naturalist’s Lake in the Crossett Timber Belt
Lake Georgia Pacific is not a commercially developed lake, and that is entirely its point. The rolling hills and dense mixed forest that surround it support wildlife populations that more developed lakes cannot maintain, and the combination of pine ridge and bottomland hardwood terrain around the shoreline creates a birdwatching corridor of genuine quality. Families with a strong interest in natural history will find the area around the lake consistently rewarding throughout the season, with wood ducks, herons, ospreys, and woodland songbirds all present in numbers that reflect the absence of heavy recreational pressure.
Fishing and Quiet Boating on a Working Water Supply Lake
Lake Georgia Pacific’s origin as an industrial water supply means it has never been developed for large-scale recreation, which preserves both the water quality and the shoreline character in a form that fishing families and naturalists specifically appreciate. Bass and catfish fishing in the lake’s clear, pine-shadowed water is productive throughout the warmer months, and quiet boating through the lake’s coves provides an intimate experience of a south Arkansas timber landscape that most visitors never see.
Crossett and Ashley County’s Timber Heritage
Crossett is one of the definitive timber towns of the Arkansas coastal plain, and the Georgia-Pacific mill’s long presence in the community has shaped its economy, its identity, and the landscape surrounding it for more than a century. The Crossett Experimental Forest, maintained by the U.S. Forest Service just east of town, is one of the longest-running forest management research sites in the South and provides fascinating interpretive context for families interested in the relationship between forest industry and conservation. A meal at one of Crossett’s local restaurants after a day on the lake completes the experience of a south Arkansas lake stay that is as honest as it is beautiful.
- Surface area (mi)
- 4.29
- Max depth (ft)
- 7.87
- Elevation (ft)
- 65.62
Popular activities
- Boating
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
Planning a trip?
Tell us about your upcoming trip and how we can help!
Nearby lakes
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to dive into what Lake Georgia Pacific has to offer? Let’s tackle some of the burning questions you might have as you plan your visit!
-
No, swimming is not allowed in Lake Georgia Pacific. The temporary closure due to the invasive water hyacinth does not specifically mention swimming, but general recreational activities like swimming are impacted by the plant’s presence and the closure of the boat ramp.
-
Lake Georgia Pacific is a popular destination because of its world-class bass fishing and diverse wildlife. The lake is home to over 164 bird species, including Bald Eagles, and offers camping, picnicking, and fishing opportunities amidst its natural setting of rolling hills and rugged forest.
-
The minimum size limit for keeping largemouth bass in Lake Georgia Pacific, Arkansas, is 15 inches. It is unlawful to possess largemouth bass less than 15 inches in length in this lake. This regulation applies to several other lakes in Arkansas as well, including Beaver Lake and Table Rock Lake.
-
There is no public beach at Lake Georgia Pacific. The lake is primarily used for fishing and supplies water to a paper mill in south Arkansas. It has a handicapped-accessible fishing pier but no beach area.
-
Lake Georgia Pacific is near the towns of Crossett, West Crossett, and North Crossett. Crossett is about 10 miles southeast of the lake, while West Crossett and North Crossett are slightly closer, at about 8 miles away. Other nearby towns include Hamburg and Fountain Hill.