Information
Landmark: Lake Catherine State ParkCity: Hot Springs
Country: USA Arkansas
Continent: North America
Lake Catherine State Park, Hot Springs, USA Arkansas, North America
Overview
Tucked southeast of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Lake Catherine State Park offers a peaceful escape, where a glassy mountain lake meets the weathered boardwalks and quiet trails of one of the state’s oldest parks.Tucked into the Ouachita Mountains beside the clear, still waters of Lake Catherine, the park sprawls over 2,000 acres and blends hiking trails, scenic views, and stonework built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.Founded in 1935, Lake Catherine State Park ranks among Arkansas’s earliest CCC projects, with weathered stone walls and rough-hewn log cabins still standing as quiet echoes of that time.You’ll find cabins, winding trails, and old picnic shelters-many still in use-nestled so naturally among the pines they almost disappear.Lake Catherine, a sparkling 1,940-acre reservoir created by Remmel Dam on the Ouachita River, offers inviting waters perfect for boating, kayaking, and casting a line from its quiet shore.The still, blue-green water mirrors the forested hills, catching even the flicker of a bird’s wing above.Falls Creek Waterfall is one of the park’s gems-a soft, steady cascade spilling into a cool, shaded pool at the end of a brief, winding trail.It’s a favorite in spring, especially right after a rain when the air smells fresh and the ground glistens.Against the Ouachita Forest backdrop, tall hardwoods and whispering pines ring the park, with flashes of yellow wildflowers in spring and fiery red leaves when autumn comes.It’s common to see wildlife here-white-tailed deer stepping through the grass, a pileated woodpecker hammering at a pine, even a fox slipping across the trail.Hiking offers plenty here-trails twist through the park, from quick ten‑minute strolls to steady climbs where pine needles crunch underfoot.The Falls Branch Trail is the star, winding straight to the waterfall’s mist, while other paths wander toward quiet lakeside coves and shaded ridges.You can drop a line in Lake Catherine, where the water’s stocked with bass, crappie, catfish, bream, and trout.Anglers can cast from a boat, drop a line off the dock, or fish right along the pebbled shore.You can rent a boat at the park’s marina, then head to one of the marked swimming spots where the water feels cool against your skin.The lake’s still, glassy surface makes it a safe spot for paddling.Camping ranges from modern sites with full hookups to cozy cabins the CCC built decades ago, their pine walls still smelling faintly of woodsmoke.These stone-and-timber cabins blend old-world charm with today’s comforts, from crackling wood stoves to soft, warm beds.Park rangers guide visitors on hikes through pine-scented trails, lead boat tours across quiet waters, and run nature programs that bring local ecology and history to life.At Lake Catherine State Park, the pace is slow and the air feels still, a gentle contrast to the bustle you’ll find in Arkansas’s bigger parks.Visitors often call it cozy and calm, with picnic tables tucked in the shade, water lapping gently at the shore, and a faint pine scent carried on the breeze.The waterfall hike is a favorite-short enough for families, and it ends at a shady pool where cold mist brushes your face.In summer, families lounge on the swimming beach or drift across the lake in pontoon boats, the water warm against their toes; by autumn, the trails blaze with gold and deep crimson leaves.Even winter holds its own magic, like mist curling up from the lake on a crisp, frosty morning.It’s just 12 miles southeast of Hot Springs, a quick drive down Highway 171 past the oak trees.We’re open all year, though the visitor center’s schedule shifts with the seasons-shorter days in winter, longer in summer.It’s free to get in, but you’ll need to pay for cabin rentals, marina services, or a campsite-like the grassy spot under the big oak by the shore.Spring brings rushing waterfalls and fields of wildflowers, summer’s perfect for swimming and boating, and fall lights the hills with brilliant foliage.At Lake Catherine State Park, you’ll find towering pines, trails that invite adventure, and a touch of local history woven into the landscape.CCC-built cabins, quiet lake views, and easy trails make it feel timeless-like a place where families keep coming back to camp, fish, or watch the sunlight ripple across the water in the heart of Arkansas.
