Cool Off This Summer in an Arkansas Swimming Hole

Kerry Kraus, travel writer
Arkansas Tourism

Let’s face it…it’s hot outside. What can be a better way to cool off than splashing the summer heat away at the "ol swimmin' hole?"

There are plenty of great swimming holes in The Natural State -- places to take in the scenery, keep the heat at bay and become a kid at heart again no matter what one's age.

Ozarks

One of the best known swimmin' holes is Blanchard Springs Recreation Area just north ofMountain View in north central Arkansas in the community ofFifty Six . At the recreation area, you'll find ample opportunities for swimming, fishing, picnicking and hiking, surrounded by picturesque bluffs. There are also outdoor theatre programs in season and tours are offered at Blanchard Springs Caverns. To get to Blanchard, take Ark. 9 north from Mountain View for seven miles, go west for six miles on Ark. 14, then take Forest Service Road 1110 for three miles.

Also nearby is Gunner Pool, located northwest of Mountain View. To get to Gunner Pool, take Ark. 87 from Mountain View for 16 miles to the community of Fifty-Six, then go three miles north on Forest Service Road 1102. At Gunner Pool, you'll find a clear mountain stream backed by high bluffs, fishing and hiking.

Eighty-two acreShores Lake also offers "the ol' swimmin' hole" atmosphere. Located about 15 miles north of Mulberry on Ark. 215, the lake is in a mountain setting and provides access to the Ozark Highlands Trail. You can also fish, hike and picnic here.

Any place along the Buffalo National River is considered a good place to splash the day away but a good "hole" is located at Buffalo Point. Take Ark. 15 about 15 miles south from Yellville. You'll find rugged mountain scenery and nature trails, an overlook, fishing, and nature programs in season.

A big natural pool can be found onBig Piney Creekat the Long Pool Recreation Area near the Scenic 7 Byway near Dover. Head north on Scenic 7 from Dover for six miles to Ark. 164, then go west for three miles to the access road. From there, follow Forest Road 1901 for three miles, then go two miles on paved Forest Road 1804. High bluffs, fishing, hiking and canoeing are other amenities to this swimmin' hole.

Central

Forty-acre Lake Bennett atWoolly Hollow State Park is another popular place to wile away the hot summer hours. Situated 18 miles north of Conway near Greenbrier, you'll find a sandy beach and lifeguards on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day. To reach the lake, take U.S. 65 north from Conway through Greenbrier to Ark. 285, then go six miles east to the state park.

Sixteen-acre Lake Sylvia, located on the Perry-Saline county line in the Ouachita National Forest, has long been a popular Central Arkansas place to cool off. Facilities include a swimming beach, picnic sites, a wildlife interpretive trail, a tree identification interpretive trail for the physically challenged, and outdoor theatre programs in season. Ark. 10 west of Little Rock is the route of choice for about 30 miles to Ark. 324, then head left four miles to the campground and swimming area.

Ouachitas

A highlight of the region is the sandy-beach swimming area at 25-acreShady Lake back in the middle of nowhere. It is located on the Howard-Scott county line just out of Athens in southwest Arkansas. At Shady Lake, you'll find fishing, a playground and hiking. There are also seasonal outdoor theatre program, a tree identification interpretive trail, and a trail around the lake. The best way to get there is to take U.S. 70 for five miles southwest of Glenwood, then go west for 23 miles on Ark. 84 to Athens. At Athens, travel two miles west on Ark. 246, then go three miles north at the Shady Lake Road sign for five miles on Forest Road 38. The site is adjacent to the Caney Creek Wilderness area.

A dammed portion of Walnut Creek at the Charlton campground near Crystal Springs west of Hot Springs forms a longtime favorite Ouachita National Forest swimming hole. The facilities, including the bathhouse, were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1935. A tree identification interpretive trail, a hiking trail to Lake Ouachita, and outdoor theatre programs during summer months are some of the other attractions. The site is three miles west of Crystal Springs on U.S. 270, or 20 miles west of Hot Springs.

Lake Hinkle, found at the Little Pines Forest Service Campground, is another picturesque swimming area. In addition to swimming in the 1,000-acre lake, you'll also find hiking. The campground is located four miles west of Waldron on Ark. 248, then go west on a paved county road for seven miles.

Delta

Two lakes at Village Creek State Park between Forrest City and Wynne in eastern Arkansas provide the swimmin' hole experience for its visitors. Even though bothLake Austell andLake Dunn are probably known more for their fishing opportunities, they are both enjoyable spots for taking a dip. The two lakes are spring-fed and make great swimming areas because only small boats are found here. Austell has a sandy beach and wood deck for sunbathing.

The St. Francis National Forest in the eastern Arkansas delta may be the smallest in size in the United States but it sure isn't the smallest when it comes to beauty. It is considered to have to have some of the finest bottom-land hardwoods in the country. The two lakes --Storm Creek and Bear Creek -- found in the national forest are both popular for recreational activities and both have swim beaches.

These are just some of the "ol' swimming holes" in The Natural State. Nearly every major lake in Arkansas has some secluded coves that can become your own personal "swimmin' hole." Start beating the heat now.