Ted Shanks Conservation Area provides public access to Horseshoe Lake and surrounding waters via a concrete boat ramp on the Salt River, with 6,705 acres of diverse habitat including bottomland hardwood, wetlands, and oxbow lakes.

The area offers camping at designated sites, hiking trails, and is open 4 a. m. to 10 p. m. daily (24-hour access for boating and fishing where permitted).

Note that portions of the area are subject to flooding and are closed to waterfowl activity from October 15 through March 1.