Lakeside Escapes: Southaven's Hidden Beaches and Water Recreation Spots

Just a short drive west of Southaven lies Arkabutla Lake, a sprawling reservoir whose eastern shores cradle several sandy beach areas that could momentarily fool you into believing you've discovered an inland sea. The juxtaposition of Mississippi's flat agricultural landscape against this vast water body creates a compelling visual narrative—one I couldn't resist capturing through my lens.

The main beach area at Arkabutla, with its designated swimming zone, provides the quintessential lake experience. Children build sandcastles with the same enthusiasm as on any oceanic shore, while parents lounge under the scattered shade trees. What struck me most was how the afternoon light plays across the water's surface, creating that golden shimmer photographers chase worldwide, yet here it feels more intimate, contained.

For optimal shooting conditions, I arrived equipped with my polarizing filter, which cuts glare from the water and enhances the blue sky—essential for lake photography where reflections dominate the composition.

As someone who cut his teeth photographing Seville's architectural marvels, I find myself drawn to places where human design elements interact thoughtfully with natural landscapes. Hernando Point Recreation Area, on Arkabutla's southern shore, exemplifies this harmony with its well-designed picnic pavilions, boat launches, and swimming areas.

The concrete structures—simple yet functional—frame views of the water in a way that reminds me of modernist Mediterranean coastal developments, albeit with a distinctly American vernacular twist. Families gather under these shelters during midday heat, creating communities of momentary neighbors sharing coolers of drinks and stories.

The swimming area here slopes gently, making it particularly suitable for families with small children. During my visit in late June, I observed parents teaching toddlers to paddle in the shallows while older kids ventured to the floating platforms anchored further out.

For family visits, I recommend bringing a pop-up beach tent to create your own shade, as the competition for pavilion space can be fierce on weekends. The investment pays dividends in comfort, especially during Mississippi's unforgiving summer heat.

Not every water experience requires a full day expedition. Sometimes the most practical escapes lie within city limits. The small lake at Olive Branch City Park offers families a convenient water feature integrated into an urban green space—something my years photographing Barcelona's public spaces has taught me to appreciate deeply.

While swimming isn't permitted here, the lake provides other aquatic pleasures. Families rent pedal boats to explore the water's surface, children feed the resident ducks from the wooden observation deck, and anglers try their luck from designated fishing spots along the shore. The walking path circumnavigating the lake creates perfect framing opportunities as you move around the water.

What fascinates me as a photographer is how the surrounding park architecture—the playgrounds, amphitheater, and sports facilities—uses the lake as both visual anchor and natural air conditioner. On sweltering afternoons, the temperature noticeably drops as you approach the water, creating a microclimate that draws people to its shores.

For capturing memories here, I recommend a compact camera rather than bulky equipment. The casual, everyday nature of this park calls for something unobtrusive that won't distract from family moments yet still captures quality images of children's delighted expressions when spotting turtles sunning on logs.

Not every water experience requires natural bodies of water. As cities increasingly adapt to climate challenges, architectural water features designed for recreation have become fascinating subjects for my camera. Southaven's Snowden Grove Park splash pad represents this evolution brilliantly—where landscape architecture, urban planning, and family recreation converge.

The splash pad's geometric arrangement of water jets, fountains, and dumping buckets creates a choreographed water ballet that delights children while offering surprisingly compelling photographic compositions. The contrast of excited children darting through precisely engineered water patterns speaks to our fundamental relationship with this element.

For families visiting Southaven during summer months, this free water playground provides a perfect morning activity before the day's heat peaks. Parents appreciate the zero-depth design eliminating drowning concerns, while children revel in the unpredictable spray patterns.

From a photographer's perspective, the splash pad offers remarkable opportunities for capturing motion—water droplets suspended in air, children mid-leap through fountains, light refracting through mist. I recommend bringing a waterproof phone case to safely capture these fleeting moments without risking expensive equipment.

The surrounding park facilities complement the water feature with shaded seating areas where parents can observe their children's aquatic adventures while enjoying the cooling mist that inevitably drifts beyond the splash pad's boundaries.

While lakes offer static water vistas, rivers provide dynamic landscapes that change with each bend. The Coldwater River, flowing just west of Southaven, presents families with a different aquatic experience—one of gentle movement through time and space.

Having paddled rivers from the Guadalquivir in my native Seville to remote Southeast Asian waterways, I approach each river with curiosity about how it shapes the surrounding land. The Coldwater doesn't disappoint, with its lazy current carrying kayakers past sandy banks, beneath overhanging trees, and alongside the occasional fishing pier extending from private property.

For families with older children (generally 8+), a guided kayaking trip offers an adventure that combines physical activity with nature observation. Local outfitters provide equipment and transportation, making the experience accessible even to novices.

During my paddle, I secured my camera equipment in a dry bag that protected my gear while allowing quick access for capturing river scenes. The perspective from water level reveals architectural details of bridges and riverside structures typically missed by land-bound observers.

What struck me most was how the river creates its own microclimate—cooler air hovering just above the water's surface, different vegetation patterns along its banks, and wildlife concentrated near this essential resource. For families accustomed to Southaven's developed landscapes, the river corridor offers a glimpse of the region's pre-development character.