Lake Ouachita, Arkansas

Located in the beautiful Ouachita National Forest just a few miles west of Hot Springs, Lake Ouachita is the largest lake within the state of Arkansas.

With over 60 square miles of surface area and almost a thousand miles of shoreline, Lake Ouachita is a mecca of recreational and sporting activity. Islands of various sizes dot the surface with areas for camping with improved campgrounds at many locations.

One state park and six Corps of Engineers RV parks as well as a number of primitive and semi-improved campgrounds located around the shoreline provide for lots of family camping and recreational access.

The view from the Brady Mtn Campground was voted in 2005 as the second most scenic in all of the "Reserve America" listings. This includes most of the Federal campgournds in the US.

There are lots of water activities that are popular around Lake Ouachita. The beautiful clear waters are ideal for swimming, water skiing, tubing and cruising along the myriad of islands and coves. Typical summer water temperatures run from the mid 70s in May and October to the low 90s in August.

Fishing is great and the lake hosts numerous Bass tournaments anually. In addition to bass the lake produces lots of stripers, crappie, blue gill, red-ear, catfish and walleye.

Scuba divers come from long distances to experience the diving and spearfishing that the lake is so well known for. As a scuba training location Lake Ouachita is one of the most popular in the area. It draws instructors and students from neighboring states as well as locals to learn to dive in its clear waters.

Several marinas on the lake including Spillway, Brady Mtn, Crystal Springs, and Mountain Harbor have shops that offer air for Scuba divers and some have a large selection of diving equipments as well.

Spearfishing is a popular sport in the lake. Arkansas is one of the few states that allows spearfishing for freshwater species and the divers enjoy this special sporting activity here.

Spearfishing season runs from June 15th to March 15th each year with the bag limit being 1/2 of the regular fishing limit for most gamefish species.

There are few lakes around that offer more opportunity for just plain old fun than Arkansas' Lake Ouachita. The combination of convenient location with easy accessibility and a rich menu of available activities make it a favorite for locals, and tourists.

For the RVer, there are lots of campsites overlooking the water and, for the boat camper, there are about 200 islands and nearly 1000 miles of shoreline to explore for a secluded get-away.

There is no charge for camping on the islands and non-improved sites. Just leave them a bit cleaner than you found them so they will continue to be a great asset for those who will follow you.

Brady Mountain, Crystal Springs, Mountain Harbor, and other marinas on the lake offer accommodations, boat rentals, and even houseboat rentals to make an outing special. Gas, food, bait, and tackle are readily available and it is all just a short drive west of Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Come on down and give it a try. This lovely campsite is just one of the more than four hundred Corps of Enginners' sites that are waiting for you.

You'll probably find me camping close by.

I offer Summertime guided scuba and spearfishing trips on the lake beginning July and running thru September for parties of two to five persons.
Most any day is fine except Sundays when I can only offer an afternoon trip. Cost is $50 per person for a half day (2 tanks - 4 hrs) or $80 for full day (3 tanks - 7 hrs). Can sometimes arrange trips for one person with other divers.

If you need other equipment it is available for rent at the Lake Ouachita Dive Center (LODC). Give me a call and lets go diving. You'll be glad you did.