Arkansas might be landlocked, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have incredible beaches. We’re a state full of lakes and rivers, creeks and streams. We’ve deliberately left off the most popular Arkansas lakes, so don’t be offended, Beaver Lake and Lake Ouachita, it’s time to pay attention to your smaller siblings. If you’re looking for an unforgettable summer, head to these twelve amazing Arkansas locales.
- Lake Greeson (near Murfreesboro)
Flickr/hallie h h Lake Greeson doesn’t have one swimming area. It has six.
- Lake Bennett, Woolly Hollow State Park
Flickr/Gordon There is a bathhouse with hot showers and a snack bar right near the swimming area.
- Lake Ponder, Crowley’s Ridge State Park (near Paragould)
Flickr/Dave Thomas Check out those water slides!
- Greers Ferry Lake (Heber Springs)
Flickr/Dave Thomas If you’re into beachfront vacations but not into camping, never fear. Heber Springs has plenty of places to stay.
- Blue Mountain Lake (near Havana)
Flickr/Scutter Located in the shadow of Mount Magazine, this beach offers incredible views.
- Cove Lake (near Paris)
Flickr/Anna Another lake near Mount Magazine, this is a great place to camp out or have a picnic.
- Lake Leatherwood (near Eureka Springs)
Flickr/AR Nature Gal Lake Leatherwood has one of the largest hand-cut limestone dams in the U.S., but it also has a fabulous swimming area.
- Jack Creek Recreation Area (near Booneville)
Flickr/Dax Ward Just look at that creek!
- Albert Pike Recreation Area (near Glenwood)
Flickr/Granger Meador This is the beautiful Little Missouri River. There’s a natural pool at Albert Pike Recreation Area with a beach and some great hiking nearby.
- Lake Austell, Village Creek State Park (near Smith Township)
Flickr/Sheila Brennan Look for sandy beaches here! It’s also one of the best bass fishing lakes in Arkansas.
- Lake Charles (near Powhatan)
Flickr/Dave Thomas Picturesque Lake Charles is set in the foothills of the Ozarks.
- Storm Creek Lake
Wikimedia/ Thomas R Machnitzki Storm Creek Lake has a swimming beach, a fishing pier, and a bathhouse.
Did your favorite beach make the list?
Flickr/hallie h h
Lake Greeson doesn’t have one swimming area. It has six.
Flickr/Gordon
There is a bathhouse with hot showers and a snack bar right near the swimming area.
Flickr/Dave Thomas
Check out those water slides!
If you’re into beachfront vacations but not into camping, never fear. Heber Springs has plenty of places to stay.
Flickr/Scutter
Located in the shadow of Mount Magazine, this beach offers incredible views.
Flickr/Anna
Another lake near Mount Magazine, this is a great place to camp out or have a picnic.
Flickr/AR Nature Gal
Lake Leatherwood has one of the largest hand-cut limestone dams in the U.S., but it also has a fabulous swimming area.
Flickr/Dax Ward
Just look at that creek!
Flickr/Granger Meador
This is the beautiful Little Missouri River. There’s a natural pool at Albert Pike Recreation Area with a beach and some great hiking nearby.
Flickr/Sheila Brennan
Look for sandy beaches here! It’s also one of the best bass fishing lakes in Arkansas.
Picturesque Lake Charles is set in the foothills of the Ozarks.
Wikimedia/ Thomas R Machnitzki
Storm Creek Lake has a swimming beach, a fishing pier, and a bathhouse.
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