State Parks and National Parks

Lake Ouachita State Park

Stretching westward from Blakely Mountain Dam, Lake Ouachita extends into the headwaters of the Ouachita River, spanning a wide expanse in west central Arkansas.

The lake was formed in 1955 and has nearly 975 miles of rugged shoreline. The clear waters are great for fishing, boating, sailing, waterskiing, scuba diving and canoeing.

Campsites along the lakeshore are centrally located to fishing and boating sites. Also on the lakefront are five two-bedroom and two three-bedroom cabins.

A full-service, 70-slip marina provides rental fishing boats, motors and party barges, plus buoys and transient slips. Live bait, fuel and fishing supplies of all types are also available. Launch ramps are located near the marina.

A park interpreter offers guided hikes, scenic lake tours on a barge, nature talks and demonstrations as well as evening slide shows and movie presentations at the park's outdoor amphitheater.

The Caddo Bend Trail and the Dogwood Trail provide hikers with a beautiful route through the woods around the lake.

The park is also home to the Three Sisters Springs, which has been a major attraction in the area since the late 1880s. The water welling up from these springs is said to have curative powers.

Photo credits in order: Photo by A.C. Haralson, courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. Photo by A.C. Haralson, courtesy of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.