Posted in Arkansas Nature, On The Water July 03, 2022 by

The 5 Diamond Lakes Of Arkansas Are Picture Perfect And You Need To Visit

Arkansas’s secondary nickname is the Diamond State; that’s because we’re home to the world’s only open-to-the-public diamond mine. In addition to the countless actual diamonds that have been found in Crater of Diamonds State Park, Arkansas is also home to five glorious diamond lakes. These lakes in Arkansas are called “diamond lakes” because of their clarity. In fact, you won’t find more sparkly gems anywhere.

Lake Ouachita is near Hot Springs and is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest.
Flickr/Granger Meador
Lake Ouachita, Arkansas, USA
Coming in at 40,100 sparkling acres of gorgeous water, the largest diamond lake is Lake Ouachita. It’s one of the clearest lakes in the world.
Flickr/Antrell Williams
It’s so clear, in fact, that (totally harmless) freshwater jellyfish live there. That’s super cool because those (again, totally harmless) freshwater jellyfish literally can’t live anywhere that doesn’t have super pristine water.
Flickr/Granger Meador
It’s also the largest lake entirely within Arkansas and contains over a hundred islands you can explore.
Wikimedia/Unherdable
Scenic Lake Hamilton is also close to Hot Springs, and it’s incredibly scenic. Lake Hamilton was built in 1932, and it’s been a popular place for recreation ever since.
Flickr/Amy the Nurse
Lake Hamilton, AR 71913, USA
With inns where you can stay on the shores of Lake Hamilton and proximity to Arkansas’s most popular town for tourism, Lake Hamilton has become a popular place for recreation of all kinds.
Flickr/World Island Info.com
Lake Hamilton also has a riverboat that will take you for an awesome cruise around the lake!
Flickr/Amy the Nurse
Lovely Lake Catherine is located near Malvern, just minutes south of Hot Springs. At only 1,940 acres, Lake Catherine is a small lake, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in charm.
Flickr/Adam Simmons
Lake Catherine, AR 71901, USA
Lake Catherine State Park has cozy little cabins where you can relax. How enchanting!
Flickr/finchlake2000
Falls Creek Falls is just a short hike from the shore of Lake Catherine.
Flickr/Cletus Lee
You'll also be near the tumbling Lake Catherine Falls. These cascades are gorgeous and gentle, and make for the perfect splashing spot for youngsters following this two-mile trek, which is generally considered "easy" for most hikers, too!
Falls Creek Falls, Fls Br Trl, Hot Springs, AR 71913, USA
The oft-overlooked Lake Greeson is located between Glenwood and Murfreesboro, and it’s a paradise for fishermen interested in channel cats and rainbow trout.
Facebook/Narrows Dam and Recreation Area Lake Greeson
Lake Greeson, Arkansas, USA
It’s also a great place to go sailing or swimming...
Facebook/Narrows Dam and Recreation Area Lake Greeson
... or a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy the view. Truly, this lake is one of the best hidden gems in Arkansas!
Facebook/Narrows Dam and Recreation Area Lake Greeson
Last but certainly not least, Lake DeGray is home to Arkansas’s only resort state park, and with a beach that rivals the coast, this Arkansas State Park so scenic that it’s no wonder they chose to call it a resort!
Flickr/Amy the Nurse
DeGray Lake, Arkansas, USA
The water of Lake DeGray is incredibly clear, and the park lodge is well-equipped to make your stay as comfortable and relaxing as possible!
Flickr/Amy the Nurse
There are yurts at Lake DeGray, too, making for a veritable "choose your own adventure" in the wilds of Arkansas!
All five of the diamond lakes in Arkansas are incredibly clear and so beautiful. There’s absolutely no excuse for you not to visit every single one.
Flickr/Amy the Nurse

For more pristine lakes in Arkansas, be sure to check out these nine clear-blue beauties. And if you are looking to find things to do near the five Diamond Lakes of Arkansas, you should check out this post on Hot Springs!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Lakes in Arkansas

July 08, 2022
Sarah M.

What are the best lakes in Arkansas for water recreation?

Call us biased, but we think it's darn near impossible not to love a trip to one of the cleanest lakes in the U.S. Lake Ouachita is crystal-clear and stunningly beautiful. In fact, it’s the clearest lake in Arkansas, and as such, it’s one of the most awe-inspiring, too. In addition to visiting and simply reveling in the sublime beauty of this pristine lake in Arkansas, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy myriad activities, from fishing and paddling to swimming, scuba diving (yes -- in Arkansas!), boating, and even island camping! Lake Ouachita has the most islands to explore; it's the largest lake within the state, and it's even one of the cleanest lakes in the entire nation. The brilliantly clear waters and inviting beaches make this lake nearly impossible to leave -- and with so many activities and accommodations, you don't have to!

What are the biggest lakes in Arkansas?

You’re probably familiar with Lake Ouachita (see above). It’s unbelievably clear, full of islands, and the largest lake entirely in the state of Arkansas. Lake Chicot, however, holds an entirely different distinction. This southeastern Arkansas lake is the largest oxbow lake in North America. What's more, Lake Chicot is not only the largest oxbow lake in North America, it’s also the largest natural lake in Arkansas. The lake was formed over 600 years ago by the meandering of the Mighty Mississippi. There’s a state park at Lake Chicot, too, so you’ll find all the campsites and boat launches you need for an epic adventure. You'll even find a bait shop at Lake Chicot if you are looking to fish these beautiful waters, which are teeming with largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and bluegill. (In fact, Lake Chicot is hailed as one of the best places for fishing in Arkansas.)