The 10 Biggest Lakes in Arkansas
Arkansas is home to natural and artificial lakes of all shapes and sizes—Jerry has the details on the 10 biggest ones.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- Ouachita (66,324 acres)
- Bull Shoals (45,440 acres)
- Dardanelle (34,300 acres)
- Greers Ferry (31,500 acres)
- Millwood (29,200 acres)
- Beaver (28,220 acres)
- Norfork (22,000 acres)
- Jack Lee (15,000 acres)
- DeGray (13,400 acres)
- Ozark (10,600 acres)
- Protecting yourself while you travel
- FAQs
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With over 2,400 lakes and reservoirs covering more than 600,000 acres,
Arkansas'
reputation as a land of lakes is well-deserved. While the state’s natural lakes are often small in size, many of the man-made ones are quite large. Lake Ouachita, for instance, covers a staggering 66,324 acres—and there are many more that are almost as big!Home to towering mountains, stark plateaus, savage weather, and frequent storms, Arkansas is widely known as a land of extremes. Perhaps most extreme of all is Arkansas’s huge collection of dramatic water features.
Some of Arkansas’s best-loved lakes, however, are anything but “natural”. Most of the popular lakes that you’ll find there are actually man-made. Even so, these lakes and reservoirs make for some great summer fun!
If you’re considering spending some time at one of these lakes this summer, here’s a handy guide—brought to you by
Jerry
, the car insurance
comparison super app
. We’ll explore 10 of Arkansas’s biggest lakes and what makes them special! Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversOuachita (66,324 acres)
Address: 5451 Mountain Pine Rd, Mountain Pine, AR 71956
Starting off our list is Lake Ouachita—the biggest lake by far in the entire state. To look at this marvel of design and innovation, built by the Public Corps of Engineers, the last thing you would think to call it is “artificial.”
The lake itself may be man-made, but it’s just about the only thing in the area that is. Ouachita’s coastlines are immaculately undeveloped. The lake is surrounded by the 1.8 million acres of untamed wilderness known as
Ouachita National Forest
. The lake is also part of a
state park
, so visitors are free to enjoy the water. Scuba diving, swimming, boating, fishing, and kayaking are some of the popular activities at Ouachita. Bull Shoals (45,440 acres)
Address: 232 Boat Dock Rd, Lakeview, AR 72642
Arkansas’s second-biggest lake is known for three things—fishing, fishing, and more fishing! Situated in the picturesque
Bull Shoals-White River State Park
, this lake boasts some of the finest trout fishing on the planet! Fishing professionals and enthusiasts come from all over to cast their lines in The Bull. Stop off at the state-of-the-art visitor exhibit to learn about the area’s history and some of the great adventures of previous fishermen. Then, head on over to The Riverside Marina to stock up on bait, tackle, and anything else you might need—you can even rent a boat there!
Dardanelle (34,300 acres)
Address: 2428 Marina Rd, Russellville, AR 72802
Along the Arkansas River, you’ll find an impressive artificial reservoir spanning 34,300 acres—that’s Lake Dardanelle.
Dardanelle, along with the beautiful state park that surrounds it, is a great place for hiking, swimming, sport fishing, and more! The park even has several aquariums where you can learn about the area’s marine wildlife—and a historic site where you can learn about its tragic past.
MORE: How to check for Arkansas road closures
Greers Ferry (31,500 acres)
Address: 700 Heber Springs Road North, Heber Springs, AR 72543
Spanning 31,500 acres of vast blue expanse, Greers Ferry Lake comes in at number four on our list. Nestled in the stunning Ozark foothills, Greers Ferry was created by the Corps of Engineers using innovative environmentally-friendly techniques—which made the lake a trend-setter and a national model for clean, responsible, and reliable water management.
Today it’s a great place for camping, boating, fishing, and water sports. You’ll also find plenty of resorts, restaurants, shopping areas, and important historical sites.
Millwood (29,200 acres)
Address: Millwood Lake, Lockesburg, AR 71846
Located in Millwood State Park, Millwood Lake is a labyrinth of intersecting waterways, oxbows, marshes, muddy shallows, submerged trees, and much more. This diverse and intricate make-up is precisely what makes Millwood such a great spot for fishing!
Those who cast their lines in the lake are typically looking for one of these popular species:
- Bass
- Catfish
- Crappie
Of course, there’s more to Millwood than fishing—you can also enjoy camping, hiking, biking, and bird-watching.
Beaver (28,220 acres)
Address: 19761 AR Highway 127, #19899, Garfield, AR 72732
One of the more visually appealing spots in Arkansas is Beaver Lake—a nature-lover’s paradise adorned with towing trees, limestone cliffs, cave formations, and a diverse population of wildlife.
Looking for something a little more exhilarating than a peaceful hike through nature? You’re in luck—Beaver Lake is also one of the state’s most popular sites for water sports! Things like water skiing, wakeboarding, boating, scuba diving, and fishing tournaments are common.
Norfork (22,000 acres)
Address: 4975 AR-101, Gamaliel, AR 72537
Norfork Lake is one of Arkansas’s best-kept secrets. A secluded and uncrowded paradise surrounded by beautiful sandy beaches and pristine woodlands, Norfork is the perfect place for a weekend getaway. There, you be able to enjoy the following activities:
You’ll have plenty of
lodging options
, from refined resorts to rustic campsites. Book your room and start packing today! Jack Lee (15,000 acres)
Address: Huttig, AR 71747
The Felsenthal Lock and Dam, sometimes called Jack Lee Lake, is part of the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. It’s located in southwestern Arkansas, right on the
Louisiana
border. While it was created to prevent floods and provide energy, Jack Lee has become a favorite spot for recreational activities. Visitors engage in camping, boating, hiking, and excellent fishing!
DeGray (13,400 acres)
Address: 159 Lodge Loop, Arkadelphia, AR 71923
DeGray Lake is located at the heart of DeGray Lake Resort State Park—a vacation destination where you can experience the beauty of nature while still enjoying all the comforts and amenities of a modern resort!
Book a room at the park’s
luxurious lodge
, rent a private cabin
, or enjoy a totally unique stay at the resort’s one-of-a-kind Yurts
! Once you’re there, you can
rent a boat
from the marina, play at the beach, explore one of the park’s many trails
, go horseback riding
, or play a few holes on the golf course
. The options are endless at Degray Lake Resort Park—they even have their own escape room
!Ozark (10,600 acres)
Address: 201 Rice St, Berryville, AR 72616
Finally, we have Ozark Lake—the tenth largest lake in Arkansas and the last entry on our list.
Ozark is situated on public lands which are designated as a State Wildlife Management Area—making our #10 a great place to do some animal watching!
The Lake’s 173 miles of shoreline also provide visitors with the perfect spot for recreational activities. You’ll see people camping, cooking, hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, and engaging in every other imaginable outdoor activity!
Protecting yourself while you travel
Arkansas
offers numerous lakes that are ideal for a summer vacation or a weekend getaway. Before you load up the car for that road trip
, though, you’ll want to make sure you review your car insurance
coverage. Having the right car insurance on a road trip can be the difference between an unforgettable adventure and a miserable time standard on the side of the road.
You can use the free
Jerry
app to review quotes from the top insurance providers in just seconds—that way you can make sure you have towing and labor coverage
, comprehensive coverage
, and any other coverages your adventure might need!The best part is that using Jerry can also save you a ton of money! Drivers who use the app reduce their insurance costs by an average of $800+ a year!
A lot of people don’t believe that they can get equal or better coverage for a fraction of their current payments. More often than not, though, that’s exactly what happens for Jerry users! You’d be shocked at some of the great deals out there—you just have to know where to look!
That’s where Jerry comes in! Our
super app
is an expert at finding all the best deals in just seconds—and finding all the discounts and policy term exceptions that could save you money! “I thought my previous insurance rate was the best I could get, since I have a luxury SUV. AfterJerryfound me quotes, I ended up paying only $80 a month for the same exact coverage. I’ll be shopping for auto insurance through Jerry from now on!” —Petra S.
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FAQs
Where is the oldest lake in Arkansas?
Most of the lakes in Arkansas are man-made. Of these, the oldest would be Lake Nimrod in the Ouachita National Forest. It was made in 1942 by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Some of the state’s rare natural lakes, however, are much older. Lake Chicot in Chicot County, for instance, is nearly 600 years old. Some of the state’s oxbow and plunge-pool lakes that carve deep into stone are even older than that—though their exact age is difficult to determine, many of them could be tens of thousands of years old.
Are there natural lakes in Arkansas?
While you’ll see plenty of lakes in Arkansas, the vast majority of them are man-made. However, the common belief that there are no natural lakes in Arkansas is incorrect. Arkansas is home to many oxbow lakes and plunge-pool lakes—both of which are formed by water erosion in rock beds. These lakes are usually pretty small in surface area but incredibly deep. They’re also often in partially concealed areas or cave formations—which is likely why many people mistakenly believe that there are no natural lakes in the state.
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