The 10 Best Arkansas Lakes for Swimming

Arkansas’s present official nickname is the pure state, and it’s simple to see why. The state incorporates roughly 2,400 named lakes and plenty of unnamed lakes, ponds, and swimming holes. So if you wish to beat the summer season warmth however don’t need to head to your native pool, take into account taking a visit to among the finest swimming lakes in Arkansas. In no specific order, here’s a listing of 10 of the very best Arkansas lakes for swimming. 

1. Lake Catherine

Lake Catherine is a 1,940-acre man-made situated close to Scorching Springs, Arkansas. The lake was shaped within the Twenties as a result of building of the Remmel Dam alongside the Ouachita River. 

Lake Catherine State Park rests on the south shore of the lake and encompasses a swimming space and a small seashore. The swimming space is cordoned off with ropes from the remainder of the seashore. With water starting from 1 to three ft deep, the swimming space of Lake Catherine is ideal for younger youngsters sporting a life vest. The water will get deeper the nearer you get to the ropes, so make certain to maintain smaller kids near the shore. 

For extra adventurous swimmers, you too can strive swimming in the primary physique of the lake as properly. Simply make certain to concentrate to buried particles, as there are many submerged bushes within the lake. 

2. Lake Bennett

Lake Bennett lies on the heart of the 40-acre Hoody Hole State Park, only a few miles exterior of Greenbrier, Arkansas. The Civilian Conservation Corps and Works Progress Administration constructed the lake again in 1935. The lake shares its identify with Dr. Hugh H. Bennett, the primary individual to steer the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. 

Initially constructed for the aim of learning the consequences of soil erosion and water run-off, immediately, Lake Bennett principally serves as a preferred vacationer vacation spot. Folks come to the lake to camp, picnic, and boat. It goes with out saying, it’s a nice lake for swimming in Arkansas!

Lake Bennett encompasses a lifeguarded swimming seashore on the north aspect of the lake. Close by facilities embody restrooms and showers, in addition to a snack bar that’s open throughout the summer season.  

3. DeGray Lake

DeGray Lake is a man-made reservoir situated on the Caddo River simply south of Scorching Springs, Arkansas. Development of the lake started in 1962 and completed in 1972. The lake serves as a flood management reservoir on the Caddo River and offers electrical energy through the facility plant within the DeGray Dam. 

Along with flood management and energy, DeGray Lake provides a wide selection of recreation alternatives for guests. The U.S. Military Corps of Engineers maintains quite a few services across the lake, together with 9 campgrounds, 2 playgrounds, and 5 swimming areas — positively among the finest lakes for swimming in Arkansas!

DeGray Lake Resort State Park rests on a peninsula on the north shore of the lake. The park encompasses a well-liked sand seashore open each day from 8 am to at least one hour after sundown. Together with a chosen swimming space, the seashore additionally has restrooms and picnic tables. 

4. Lake Ouachita

Positioned simply west of Scorching Springs, Lake Ouachita is the most important lake situated solely in Arkansas. Lake Ouachita was shaped in 1953 due to the development of the Blakely Mountain Dam on the Ouachita River. The reservoir offers energy, flood management, and consuming water to close by residents. Nonetheless, it additionally operates as a hub for native wildlife and a preferred vacationer vacation spot.

Lake Ouachita attracts guests because of its wealth of recreation alternatives, together with boating, fishing, and water sports activities. The lake additionally provides guests an opportunity to chill off by taking a dip at one of many lake’s a number of swimming seashores. 

The Spillway Recreation Space is tucked away in a quiet cove within the southeastern nook of the lake. At the present time-use space encompasses a swim seashore, a rentable pavilion, and a ship ramp. Alternatively, you’ll be able to go to Spring Seashore in Lake Ouachita State Park, only a few miles to the north. This sandy seashore boasts picnic tables and a marina the place you’ll be able to lease boats, kayaks, and fishing gear.  

5. Lake Sylvia

Nestled throughout the northeast nook of Ouachita Nationwide Forest lies Lake Sylvia. This serene 18-acre lake is situated simply 38 miles west of Little Rock, making it an ideal day journey for individuals who need to swap the hustle and bustle of town for some stunning mountain surroundings.

Lake Sylvia Recreation Space offers guests with loads of recreation alternatives. Standard actions embody mountain climbing, backpacking, path working, and tenting. 

Lake Sylvia’s swim seashore is comparatively small, which suggests it might probably get moderately busy on weekends. That mentioned, the lake’s cool and clear water makes it properly well worth the go to. Simply off the seashore, you could find bathhouses and coated picnic websites that give guests a respite from the rays of the solar.  

6. Greers Ferry Lake

Greers Ferry Lake lies roughly 60 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas. The Little Crimson River feeds this 40,500-acre reservoir which shaped in 1962 as a result of building of the Greers Ferry Dam. 

Guests can get pleasure from numerous actions across the lake, together with fishing, scuba diving, boating, and tenting. The lake additionally options quite a few swimming areas and cliff diving spots. These embody Outdated Hwy 25, Sandy Seashore, Dam Website, Shiloh, and Devils Fork. 

Many of the seashores on Greers Ferry Lake cost a day-use payment of some {dollars}. Alternatively, you should buy an annual cross to benefit from the swimming areas all through the warmest elements of the 12 months. 

7. Lake Wedington

Lake Wedington is situated off State Hwy 16, simply 13 miles west of Fayetteville, Arkansas. This 102-acre lake lies throughout the 424-acre Lake Wedington Recreation Space, which options lush hardwood forests. 

Guests to the lake usually agree that it ranks as certainly one of northwestern Arkansas’s best-kept secrets and techniques. The lake permits guests to interact in quite a few leisure actions, together with boating and fishing. It’s also possible to work up a sweat on the close by sand volleyball courts or mountain climbing trails earlier than taking a dip within the lake’s cool water. 

The swim seashore at Lake Wedington Recreation Space is accessible for day use for a small payment. It’s also possible to lease floating tools and paddle boards close to the seashore that you need to use within the swim space.  

8. Lake Hamilton

Lake Hamilton rests on the Ouachita River instantly south of Scorching Springs, Arkansas. This 7,200-acre lake will get its identify from Hamilton Moses, a former chairman of the Arkansas Energy and Mild firm. Created in 1932 as a result of Carpenter Dam’s building, the reservoir is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot because of the numerous resorts, eating places, and motels alongside its shores. 

Lake Hamilton provides its justifiable share of recreation actions, together with fishing, boating, and jet snowboarding. Nonetheless, if you wish to swim in its waters, you’ll seemingly need to discover one of many quieter areas of the lake. In that case, you must take into account trying out Hill Wheatly Park close to the northwestern finish of the lake. 

Hill Wheatly Park options arguably the very best swim seashore on Lake Hamilton. The seashore additionally options grills, restrooms, picnic tables, and a ship ramp with a dock. 

9. Lake Charles

Lake Charles is a 645-acre lake situated in northeastern Arkansas. The lake resides simply 45 minutes northwest of Jonesboro and about 1.5 hours west of Memphis, Tennessee. 

Lake Charles ranks as among the finest bass fishing lakes in northeastern Arkansas. Different well-liked actions on the lake embody mountain climbing, tenting, boating, and – after all – swimming. 

Guests to Lake Charles comment that the lake is quiet and peaceable. The swimming space at Lake Charles State Park options restrooms and scorching showers, in addition to picnic areas and a ship ramp. If you wish to get pleasure from a quiet weekend getaway and swim in a cool, clear lake, you possibly can do lots worse than Lake Charles. 

10. Mirror Lake

The smallest lake on this listing additionally ranks as one of the stunning lakes for swimming in Arkansas. 

Positioned simply 14 miles north of Mountain View, Mirror Lake is a 3-acre lake fed by the water from Blanchard Springs Caverns. The lake shaped within the Nineteen Thirties after the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a stone and concrete dam to create a fishing and recreation space close to the caverns. 

The water at Mirror Lake measures a cushty 58 levels. Guests comment on how clear and funky the water feels and the gorgeous surroundings of the encircling forests. If that wasn’t sufficient, the lake additionally options a number of the finest rainbow trout fishing in Arkansas!

Up Subsequent: