The Best Lakes in Arkansas
Located in the southern part of the state, Arkansas is home to many amazing lakes. These lakes can be grouped into three different categories: Diamond Lakes, Ouachita Lakes, and Bull Shoals Lakes. These lakes are all popular with people of all ages, and are perfect for fishing, camping, and boating.
Crown Lake
Located in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Crown Lake is a 645-acre reservoir in north-central Arkansas. This is a great spot for fishing, boating, and skin diving. It is open to the public. It is also a popular water skiing destination.
Crown Lake is located on Bens Creek in Izard County. It has a marina and offers boat rentals. It has excellent fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish. It is a great place to stay, with several hotels and resorts nearby.
It is also located in the foothills of the Ozark National Forest. The Ozark Mountains are beautiful, and the sunset over the lake is stunning. Crown Lake is also a great place to go for wildlife viewing, skin diving, and swimming.
There are several resorts nearby, such as Crown Point Resort and DeGray Lake Resort. Both offer modern amenities, such as on-site dining and entertainment.
There are also several restaurants nearby. One restaurant, Sweetpea’s, serves burgers and barbecue. Another restaurant, Papa Dick’s, offers full menu items.
There are several golf courses in the area. Turkey Mountain Golf Course is only two miles away. There is a fishing store nearby.
There are also several parks in the area. Hill Wheatley Park has a public swimming beach. It also offers a boat launch.
Crown Lake also has an 18-hole golf course. It is a great place for camping, and there are several cabins for rent at Lake Hamilton. There is also a shopping mall nearby.
Greers Ferry Lake
Located in north central Arkansas, Greers Ferry Lake is a pristine water destination. It is situated in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains and is a popular destination for water sports and fishing.
The lake is separated into two main parts. The northern half of the lake is located in Heber Springs while the southern portion is in Clinton Springs. There are numerous campgrounds on the lake. These campgrounds offer modern facilities and camping opportunities.
The lake also offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. It is home to hybrid striped bass, channel catfish, crappie, and sunfish. There are also a variety of wading birds.
Aside from fishing, Greers Ferry Lake is a great destination for boating and swimming. There are numerous coves and areas to explore. There are also a number of parks on the lake.
The Greers Ferry Lake Association protects the lake and works with other agencies to preserve clean water. The organization is a non-profit group that promotes public education and collaborative efforts. They also monitor activities that could negatively affect the lake. In 2004, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation honored the group with the Water Conservationist of the Year award.
The Greers Ferry Lake Marina is a popular place to shop and enjoy the lake. They also sell life vests, water shoes, and Bogg beach bags.
Greers Ferry Lake has a total of 340 miles of shoreline. It is home to numerous parks, campgrounds, and restaurants. There are also numerous trails for bird watching.
Norfork Lake
Located in the Ozarks region of Arkansas, Norfork Lake is one of the best lakes in the state. This lake has crystal clear water and a variety of fish.
In addition to handline fishing, the lake is also popular for scuba diving and spearfishing. Visitors can find sunken caves, a sunken bus, and an underwater rock formation. The lake has public beaches and camping sites. The area is also home to commercial outfitters.
There are over 20 destinations on the lake. These include Sand Island, which is located on the southeast side. It is a great place to catch largemouth bass. It is also home to many catfish and walleye.
The lake also features a marina and boat ramps. Camping and boating are popular activities. The lake is located near Mountain Home, Arkansas.
The lake’s shoreline is covered with cypress stumps and knees that look like stumps. Several parks surround the lake. The parks provide great views of the lake. Some parks have swimming areas, volleyball courts, and lighted softball fields.
The lake is also known for its underwater forests of oak and hickory. It is also home to a wide variety of birds, including wood ducks and gadwalls.
The lake is stocked with catfish, bluegill, and largemouth bass. It is also home to a striped bass fishery. The lake is one of the best places for largemouth bass fishing in the United States.
Ouachita Lake
Located in the Ozark Mountains of west-central Arkansas, Ouachita Lake is a popular destination for water activities. It is known for its clear waters and clean shoreline. It is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest, which contributes to its beauty and tranquility. It is home to more than 40,000 acres of water, a large percentage of which is undeveloped.
Boating and fishing are some of the most popular activities at the lake. A number of marinas provide boat rentals and guided tours. It is also home to hundreds of uninhabited islands. The most common species of fish that are caught include catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie.
Located just east of Lake Ouachita is Lake Ouachita State Park. It has a family-style bathhouse, a marina, and a variety of hiking trails. This park is perfect for families who want to spend their vacation exploring the area’s wildlife.
The lake is also home to Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa. There are plenty of lodging options to choose from at the resort. It has an 18-hole golf course, a public beach, and shoreline YURTs.
The lake also offers boating, fishing, and scuba diving. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission maintains Lake Conway. The state’s largest lake, it offers world-class fishing.
In addition to boating and fishing, Lake Ouachita is a popular destination for scuba divers. It is one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. The water is clear and offers excellent visibility.
Bull Shoals Lake
Located in Missouri and Arkansas, Bull Shoals Lake is one of the best lakes in Arkansas for fishing and water sports. The lake is surrounded by beautiful scenery. It is located in the Ozark Mountains. The lake features pristine waters.
A trip to Bull Shoals Lake is a perfect escape from the busy city. You can enjoy water skiing, boating, and swimming. You can also go diving. The lake offers underwater visibility of 20 to 40 feet.
Bull Shoals Lake is known for its world-class trout fishing. You can also try your luck at fishing for striped bass. It is one of the few places in the country where striped bass and trout can be caught in the same water. You can also fish for crappie, hybrid bass, and channel cat.
There are several parks located around Bull Shoals Lake. These parks are developed by state and federal agencies. Some of them feature camping facilities, swimming pools, and picnic areas. Some of these parks also have boat launches.
You can rent a fishing boat at the K Dock Marina. The marina also offers pontoons and fishing equipment. You can also rent a scuba tank.
Bull Shoals Lake offers water sports like boating, scuba diving, and swimming. It also features secluded coves for swimming and water skiing. You can find a lot of marines along the shoreline. The shoreline of Bull Shoals Lake is protected by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Diamond Lakes of Arkansas
Located in the southwest corner of Arkansas, the Diamond Lakes are a collection of five lakes. They offer great fishing, clear water, and a variety of outdoor recreation options. Some of the most popular lakes are Lake Ouachita, Lake Catherine, Lake Hamilton, and Lake Greeson. Depending on your preferences, you can rent a yurt, a kayak, or a pontoon boat.
The best part of the Diamond Lakes is that they’re not too far from major cities such as Little Rock, Memphis, or Springfield. Combined, the five lakes offer 57,000 acres of water recreation and fun.
The Diamond Lakes also happen to be home to the world’s only public diamond mine. There’s also a casino, a water park, and a theme park. The Mid-America Science Museum draws families with its top-notch exhibits. There are even a few baby alligators to hold.
The Diamond Lakes also happen to contain some of the best trail systems in the state. The Northwoods Trail system offers more than 30 miles of trails. The Womble Trail, on the other hand, is an IMBA-designated Epic Ride that spans from Northfork Lake to the Ouachita National Recreation Trail.
The Diamond Lakes region is also home to the IMBA-certified Hot Springs, which happens to be the IMBA’s regional ride center. It’s a little pricier than the surrounding area, but the reward is well worth the investment.
The Diamond Lakes region also has the state’s largest manmade lake, Lake Ouachita, and the largest natural lake in the state, Lake Catherine. Both lakes have camping facilities and state parks.
