Lake Ouachita

This 40,000-acre Lake Is So Clean It’s Dubbed the 'Caribbean of Arkansas'

"Situated in west-central Arkansas about 10 miles from Hot Springs National Park, the 40,000-acre Lake Ouachita is celebrated for its incredibly clean, clear water that often draws comparisons to the Caribbean; it's relatively undeveloped—homes aren't allowed on the shoreline—which gives it a wild, rugged feel despite being manmade. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1946 and 1954 as one of three reservoirs formed by damming the Ouachita River, the lake averages around 50 feet deep and reaches about 200 feet at its deepest, yet shallow waters and standing trees remain because the valley was flooded—some 60-foot-tall trees were left standing and even protrude above the surface, so there is effectively a forest beneath the water. I note the name, pronounced “Wash-ah-taw,” is the French spelling of the Choctaw phrase “Owa Chito,” meaning “big hunt.” The lake supports freshwater sponges, freshwater jellyfish, freshwater shrimp, and fish such as striped bass, smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie, and bream, and visitors can swim, snorkel, scuba dive, kayak, and camp, with over 200 islands offering remote, private campsites." - Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel Lydia Mansel is a writer with more than eight years of experience editing and writing for both brands and online publications—with a particular focus on travel, fashion, and lifestyle. She’s also the founder of the travel site justpacked.com.  Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines