15 Best Lakes To Visit In Arkansas 

Oxbows and reservoirs and ponds, oh my.

By 

Kristy Alpert

Nicknamed “The Natural State,” Arkansas is a playground of hot springs, vast forest lands, lakes, rivers, and limestone caverns just waiting to be explored. The mighty Mississippi River may carve out Arkansas’s eastern border, but it’s the states abundant—and gorgeous—lakes that truly define what Arkansas is all about. It’s also home to more than 600,000 acres of lakes, which is where you’ll find locals cooling down during the warmer months and cozying up nearby once the weather cools. 

The lakes of Arkansas are a place for families and friends to gather on, near, or even below, and there’s never an off-season for getting out on the water in Arkansas as both cold and warm water fishing keeps the shoreline active year-round. Boating, paddling, and camping are great options for enjoying Arkansas lake life, but the depth and clarity of the state’s lakes actually make them ideal for scuba diving and snorkeling. Whether your style is houseboating on a mountain lake or lounging beachside in the lowlands, book it to one of these best lakes in Arkansas.  

01of 15

Lake Ouachita 

This man-made reservoir outside of Hot Springs is the largest lake in the state, with more than 40,000 acres of water to its name. The Blakely Mountain Dam separates the lake from the Ouachita River, where the Ouachita National Forest looms just off the shoreline as a vibrantly green backdrop. The clear waters make it ideal for scuba diving but boating and fishing have—and always will be—Lake Ouachita’s main activities. 

02of 15

Lake Catherine 

This 1,940-acre lake is the centerpiece for the Lake Catherine State Park, which also houses waterfalls, hiking trails, a marina, horseback riding trails, and loads of camping options. The lake itself is where you’ll find most of the state park’s regulars, whether they’re splashing around in the swimming areas, baiting their lines, or loading up for a day on the boat. 

03of 15

Lake Hamilton 

Cruising the shoreline is a popular activity at all the lakes in Arkansas, but only on Lake Hamilton can you do it on a 250-passenger riverboat. The Belle of Hot Springs offers sightseeing cruises (some with meals) that coast by the lake’s gorgeous mansions, resorts, and natural islands. The lake is also open to personal watercraft, which can dock directly in front of the well-manicured Garvan Woodland Gardens on the eastern side of the lake.

04of 15

Lake Maumelle 

While it’s entirely possible to ride your bike from Little Rock’s Big Dam Bridge all the way to the shores of Lake Maumelle—a favorite challenge of Arkansas’ most avid cyclists—you may want to save your energy for the miles of hiking trails that stem from the lake. The lake is considered a watershed, so there’s no swimming or motorized watercrafts allowed. Instead, its kayaks, paddleboards, and sailboats that take to the clean waters for spectacular time on the water. 

05of 15

Lake Greeson 

There are three lakes in the Ouachita River Basin, but none so beloved among boaters than Lake Greeson. This 12-mile lake was once known as “Narrows Lake” due to its slim structure, which makes it ideal for kayaking along the shores or water skiing straight through the glassy waters in the middle.

06of 15

Lake Chicot 

This 20-mile-long lake in Lake Village was once part of the Mississippi River before a change of course cut the section off. It’s now the state’s largest natural lake and the largest oxbow lake in the country. Fishing is the main attraction here, where striped bass are the ultimate prize and the catfish are plentiful year-round.  

07of 15

White Oak Lake 

Although this popular Bluff City fishing lake is divided in half—the upper lake and the lower lake—anglers on both sides are equally as likely to snag a brag-worthy catch. The lake is known for its big fish and holds the record for the state’s largest catfish. Crappie and bass are plentiful, especially in spring, when it’s also a great time to spot wildlife scurrying across the tree-lined shores.

08of 15

Beaver Lake 

You may not actually spot the elusive namesake creatures of this 28,370-acre reservoir near Rogers, and that’s likely because they’re hiding out along Lake Loop Trail while boaters, tubers, and paddlers make good use of the rest of the lake. Beaver Lake hosts some of the best bass-fishing tournaments in the state, but most people know it better for its aquatic recreation options—houseboats, pontoons, sailboats, ski boats, etc.—since there are plenty of islands, caves, and bluffs to explore from the water’s edge.

09of 15

Bull Shoals Lake 

Straddling the Arkansas and Missouri border, Bull Shoals Lake is a dual-state reservoir with numerous parks, campgrounds, sandbars, and docks in both states. On the Arkansas side, near Mountain Home, the lake winds around a series of arms and private coves that make it ideal for waterskiing and tubing. Aside from the lake’s popular swimming spots (re: parks and sandbars), Bull Shoals attracts avid anglers hoping to land one of the lake’s renown (i.e., massive) white large-mouth bass.

10of 15

DeGray Lake 

DeGray Lake is set within a state park at the base of the Ouachita Mountains, where crystalline waters create a playground for visitors looking to explore above, below, and beyond the lake. The dam by the visitor’s center is a prime location for scuba divers going below shore, while the best beach for swimming is at the Caddo Bend day use area. Above water, boaters have their choice of private coves or inlets, whether their watercrafts are launched from the docks or rented from the full-service marina. 

11of 15

De Queen Lake 

Unlike most of the lakes in Arkansas, all of the shoreline at De Queen Lake is publicly owned, meaning boats can be docked anywhere. That little distinction makes a big difference for anglers, who love this easy-to-access lake for its largemouth bass, walleye, and crappie. Scuba divers rave about the clear waters, which stretch for more than 1,680 acres. 

12of 15

Greers Ferry Lake 

Located just 60 miles north of Little Rock, Greers Ferry Lake has been recognized as one of the cleanest states in the U.S. Trout fishing on the lake is among the best in the nation—since it is fed by a “blue-ribbon trout stream of America” designated river—but many come to the area to paddle the waters or hike around the bluffs that look out over the pristine waters. Don’t miss the Sugar Loaf Shuttle that departs from the Fairfield Bay Marina and arrives with enough time for exploring or picnicking at the Sugar Loaf Mountain Island in the middle of the lake. 

13of 15

Norfork Lake 

The deep blue waters of this prized Mountain Home lake attract visitors looking for an uncrowded, unspoiled on-water experience. The undeveloped shorelines give Norfork a secluded feel, where lush Ozark forest—i.e., nothouses or commercial properties—line the water’s edge. Fishing, boating, and scuba diving are all fair game on this 22,000-acre lake. 

14of 15

Grassy Lake Water Trail 

As one of the thirteen mapped water routes throughout the state of Arkansas, the Grassy Lake Water Trail runs 3.3 miles outside of Mayflower. You’ll paddle through cypress and tupelo trees along the route, likely spotting bullfrogs, herons, and, if you’re lucky, beaver along the route. 

15of 15

Lake Dardanelle 

“Easily accessible” is one of the main draws of Lake Dardanelle, an attribute right up there with “stunningly beautiful.” The lake’s more than 34,000 acres attract boaters and anglers, but it also attracts American Bald Eagles, who frequent the lake each winter to hunt and nest along the shore.