The Lake District: Hot Springs’ Other Famous Waters
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
Lake Catherine State Park
Thermal springs aren’t the only famous water in this resort town. The city is also regarded as a recreational hot spot thanks to three lakes on Hot Springs’ southern and western edges.
Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine were created by dams on the Ouachita River primarily for hydroelectric purposes. Today, the lakes attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for boating, fishing, camping, hiking and nature watching.
Lake Catherine includes Lake Catherine State Park, which features boat rentals, tours, guided horseback trail rides and guided hikes, as well as a pavilion, camping area and visitor center. The 1,900-acre lake is one of Arkansas’ smallest with only 11 miles of shoreline. (That makes real estate around this lake hard to come by.)
Below the dam, there is great rainbow trout fishing, and kayaking is popular across this peaceful lake.
Completed in the 1950s, Lake Ouachita is the newest addition, and at 40,000 acres, it’s also the largest man-made lake in Arkansas. Known for its clarity, Lake Ouachita is a great spot for scuba diving. Fishing enthusiasts are fond of Lake Ouachita too; its waters are filled with bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass and largemouth bass.
The lake is connected to Lake Ouachita State Park, which offers camping, cabin and boat rentals, and wilderness trails. Several privately owned resorts line the shoreline, including a visitor favorite, Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa.
Lake Hamilton is the busiest of the three lakes. Its shores are dotted with vacation homes and rentals, marinas and restaurants. Vacation home sales are booming here, fueled in part by the COVID-19 pandemic and the regional population looking for alternative
travel plans.
Watersports abound here, too. On any given lake-weather day, you’re sure to find boats anchored in swimming coves, families taking leisurely cruises, children tubing, wakeboarders showing off and fast-charging jet skis racing playfully.
In the summer, visitors flock by boat to the lake’s annual Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day weekend fireworks shows. Discover more happening in this beautiful Hot Springs district in 2026 on our Hot Springs Guest Guide Calendar on page 12.
For lake sightseeing, visitors can dock at Garvan Woodland Gardens to see the attractions by boat.
The Lake District is also known for its assortment of restaurants, like Back Porch Grill and J&S Italian Villa.
Visit Hot Springs
Lake Hamilton
We Recommend
DINING
Back Porch Grill
J&S Italian Villa
The Lodge Restaurant at Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa
NIGHTLIFE
J&S Italian Villa
Martini's on the Bay
ATTRACTIONS
DreamChaser Houseboats
Garvan Woodland Gardens
Iron Mountain Fishing Guide John Duncan
Iron Mountain Lodge & Marina
Iron Mountain Lodge & Marina - Mountain Bike Trail System
Mid-America Science Museum
Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa
Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa - Premier Lake Ouachita Fishing Guides Chris Darby, Mike Wurm
Mountain Harbor Riding Stable
Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf
LODGING
The Bluebird
The Cottage
Iron Mountain Lodge & Marina
The Lake House
Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa
The Nest
Nest Properties
The Wren
SHOPPING
Garvan Woodland Gardens
Mid-America Science Museum Store
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
Lake DeGray
Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
Lake Ouachita