Millwood Lake Ranks as Most Snake-Filled Body of Water in Arkansas

Arkansas is nicknamed the Natural State, renowned for its stunning natural features, including beautiful mountains, lakes, rivers, swamps, forests, and delta wetlands. Given its natural abundance, it's no surprise that Arkansas is also home to 39 native species of snakes.

Millwood Lake - Ashdown, Arkansas's Most Snake-Filled Body of Water'

According to the World Atlas website, they recently revealed the 5 Most Snake-Filled Bodies of Water in Arkansas. A popular spot for local anglers, Millwood Lake in Southwest Arkansas, made it into the Top 5 for 2025 for being a snake-filled region. The most common snakes living in Millwood include cottonmouths and copperheads who love the density of the murky brown water. Anglers who fish this lake have noticed these venomous snakes along the shoreline and boat ramps. Diamondback water snakes are also common in the nearly 30,000 acres of natural habitat, along with several other reptiles, alligators, and turtles, who love the backwaters, brush, and swamps of this ecologically diverse lake.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says that spring and early fall are prime for seeing snakes. Anyone who fishes on Millwood Lake should always stay alert and be aware of their surroundings to avoid coming face-to-face with an unwanted forked tongue guest.

Where Are The Other Most Snake-Filled Bodies of Water in Arkansas?

Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge - Diamondback watersnake, banded, and plain-bellied varieties of non-venomous snakes and venomous snakes thrive in the thick forest, swamps, and muddy banks

Hot Springs National Park - Timber rattlesnakes, southern copperhead, pygmy rattlesnakes, water moccasins, black rat snakes, and speckled kingsnakes are abundant in the Ouachta mountains and natural springs with surrounding lakes.

Lake Conway -  Several snake species can be found on this sprawling 6,700-acre reservoir. This is a haven for the Western cottonmouths, which thrive on the abundant vegetation, shallow depth, and irregular shoreline in Central Arkansas. Currently, Lake Conway is undergoing a complete renovation project.

Petit Jean State Park - With its rocky terrain, forested slopes, bluffs, creeks, and lakes, Petit Jean is prone to many species of snakes. The most common are the rough green snake, western ribbon snake, eastern hognose snakes, timber rattlesnakes and copperheads. Hikers should always be on the lookout when hiking in wooded terrain, mountain bluffs, and waterfalls.

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Arkansas is a beautiful state, but remember, whether you're in the woods, lakes, or rivers, always be cautious and stay safe. As we say in Arkansas, this is not only our neck-of-the-woods but theirs, too.