![]() ![]() If you own or rent a boat, you can access the lake’s numerous uninhabited islands for free, primitive camping. You will see all kinds of water craft on the lake from small kayaks and canoes to sailboats and houseboats. Popular activities include bass and striper fishing, swimming, scuba diving, recreational boating, water skiing and other water sports. Lake Ouachita has between 600-900 miles of shoreline (depending on the water level) and about 40,000 acres of water. There is a restriction on commercial and residential building so the scenery comprises the all-natural wooded hills of the Ouachita National Forest. Of the three manmade lakes along the Ouachita River, Lake Ouachita is the first on the river’s 600 mile journey from west-central Arkansas to north-central Louisiana. The cleanest lake in the country and Arkansas’ largest lake is Lake Ouachita. ![]() There are also 20 waterfront cabins, RV parking, a campground, playgrounds and a short hiking trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole.Įntergy Arkansas performs an annual drawdown typically in early November. There are good opportunities for swimming and boating, especially at Lake Catherine State Park, which has a nice swim beach, year-round boat rentals and the only full service marina on Lake Catherine. Known for its serene charm as well as water sports and fishing, Lake Catherine is a 1,900-acre gem with trees rising all around and a natural, undeveloped feel. ![]() Located just southwest of town, this wooded oasis is the more secluded sister lake to social hotspot Lake Hamilton. Lake Catherineįrom Lake Hamilton, the water flows through Carpenter Dam and into Lake Catherine. The annual lowering of the lakes also is valuable to owners of shoreline facility, allowing them an opportunity to inspect and repair their structures and fortify the shoreline.Įntergy has used drawdowns on Lake Hamilton since 1996 to help control the spread of certain underwater plants that interfere with recreation. A vegetation management plan developed in conjunction with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission usually calls for alternating 3-foot and 5-foot drawdowns. ![]() The size of the drawdown varies each winter, in part, to curb growth of nuisance vegetation. Consequently, it is a much busier lake with pleasure boaters out all summer long.Įntergy Arkansas performs an annual drawdown typically in early November. It is smaller, about one-sixth the size of Lake Ouachita, and is residentially and commercially developed, with grand houses, condos, restaurants and docks all along its shoreline. The main body of water located right in town, on the south and west ends of Hot Springs. Moving down stream, the waters from Lake Ouachita flow through Blakely Dam and into Lake Hamilton. Or, if you'd prefer to be at the helm, check out one of many boat rental options at a handful of marinas in town. Take a pontoon boat tour or a duck boat tour. The lake offers more guided boat expeditions than any other. Shop for anything you need for the day or fuel your boat at the dockside stores. Hop off your boat and pick up a pizza, or grab a table to dine on the wharf. Restaurants, luxury resorts and palatial vacation homes line the shores only minutes from downtown Hot Springs. Lake Hamilton fuses natural beauty and urban excitement. Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine – all created by dams along the Ouachita River – offer a wide range of activities, each with its own unique character and scenery. Nestled in the Ouachita Mountains, Hot Springs, Arkansas, is an outdoor paradise. Our lakes have helped happy visitors make some of the best memories of their lives. Two thumbs up, Little Rock! With the heavy use of this trail it's obvious the residents of your city know what a gem of a trail they have.There's really no time like lake time! Spend your visit to Hot Springs on the water! It seemed extremely popular and was being heavily used on a beautiful weekday afternoon, and I must add that these two out of state senior citizens felt comfortable and safe at all times on this magnificent trail system. What a pleasure that ride was! Since we wanted to stay out of urban areas, we only experienced a small portion of the trail. We then rode upriver to another pedestrian bridge, Two Rivers Park Bridge, and crossed it to explore the heavily wooded and picturesque trails. It was awesome! Even if we didn't ride anywhere else that afternoon, that experience and the spectacular views made the trip to Arkansas River Trail worth it! But we didn't stop there. Visiting from Southern California, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this trail, but I have to say it exceeded whatever preconceived modest expectations I had! We started at the Big Dam Bridge parking lot and proceeded to ride over the bridge and back. ![]()
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