Lake Ouachita, Royal, AR

[Bruce]

Lake Ouachita is a 40,000 acre Corps of Engineers owned lake. It has 690 miles of shoreline with State Parks, Camprounds and Marinas. The entire lake shore is owned by the Corps so there is very little development.

The lake has over 200 islands. We like to picnic and camp on the islands. Camping on the islands is not officially sanctioned but I have never had an issue doing so.

The lake is well stocked with Largemouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bream, Crappie, Catfish, Walleye and world class Trophy Striped Bass.

The lake is home to non-stinging freshwater jellyfish that are only found in the cleanest lakes in the world.

Most of the lake is with a 30 minute drive of Hot Springs, AR where you can find theaters, restaurants, groceries, spas and even an amusement park.

You can find more information about Lake Ouachita at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ouachita

Here are some pictures from our time on the lake.



Here is a nice video documenting the lake

 

[txav8r]

Ouchita was a really cool trip we made in the boat.

 

[Julian]

Looks awesome! @Bruce Your LX210 is just like ours...brings back many fond memories! My niece used to love going out to "clean off the boat"...which meant spinning 180's and getting soaked!

 

[PEARCE]

We may have to take a long weekend and check that lake out this summer. Especially if we don't get the rain that we desperately need this spring.

 

[PEARCE]

I just Googled a little about this lake and looks like a beautiful place. Do you have any recommendations for cabin or hotel that Is close to a nice marina. Looking for maybe a resort with cabins within walking distance of covered rental slips. We stayed at a place like that on Table Rock a couple years ago and it was really nice.

 

[Bruce]

I think that http://www.mountainharborresort.com would be the nicest place for visitors to stay. They have a variety of accommodations, slips, a restaurant and a spa.

I have connections at http://www.crystalspringsresort.com who also have a very nice facility.

http://bradymountainmarina.com also has cabins, a marina and restaurant.

Lake Ouachita State Park is probably the least expensive option http://www.lakeouachita.org/lake-ouachita-state-park.htm

If the water remains low at Texoma, perhaps we could have the annual get together on Lake Ouachita? Maybe even rent a few houseboats and have floating accommodations http://www.houseboatingarkansas.com ?

 

[txav8r]

Crystal Springs Resort is a place on the south side, toward the east end, it is a little more "lake resort" style for families and the marina is right there. It is more run of the mill but very nice with a good restaurant too. It is just south of some very good water and the island group that is a blast.

Way down on the west end of the lake is Mountain Harbor, that is where we stayed. It is first class all the way with a price tag that represents that. But the cabins are exquisite and plush. We had a unit that was right beside the guest boat house. So it was perfect. It too had full marina, restaurant, and more. They took great care of us...even when a storm took out 3 counties power, including most of the lake. They brought us huge coolers and ice for our perisibles , loaded our boat with ice daily, even reduced the bill in half at the end of the week...which included us eating at the restaurant instead of cooking at the cabin since we had no power.

Then there are several other very nice resorts there as well. But those are the two I know most about.

 

[PEARCE]

Thanks guys! I'm loving this new forum.

The idea of a gathering on that lake for a group that's mostly in Texas is going to take some long range planning. We could do some sort of gathering this mid July, but it would be a reasonable priced cabin to sleep the four of us. Something with a small kitchen to prepare simple meals would be ideal. I know the places that y'all mentioned would cover those needs easily. I'm going to look into it more.

 

[Bruce]

With many of the houseboats having 6 or more bedrooms they might work out to be less expensive than the cabins if shared amongst several parties. Just don't take them for a cruise, they eat a huge amount of fuel.

When we stay on Lake Ouachita we typically camp on an island but we live 11 miles from Brady, 12.4 from Crystal and 20 from Mountain Harbor.

 

[Backwash]

Best lake in state, no doubt. We have our houseboat at Crystal Springs. Pretty much our summer home!

 

[Wayloncle]

Best lake in state, no doubt. We have our houseboat at Crystal Springs. Pretty much our summer home!

My dad had their house boat at Crystal Springs! They sold it about 4 years ago.

 

[Bruce]

A friend of mine recently took this photo of the sunset on Lake Ouachita.

This is another

And another

He has more on his website at http://www.toddphotos.com

 

[PEARCE]

Wow!

 

[txav8r]

It was never that smooth when I was there! Those are great shots!

 

[Bruce]

It was never that smooth when I was there! Those are great shots!

The water was pretty smooth on Wednesday.

 

[Backwash]

Yeah, that's like a Tuesday morning at sunrise smooth. I never get wakeboard water that great though.

 

[Kelso]

Beautiful. When we were there the wind kicked up pretty good and chopped the water up, so we headed back to Hamilton. I would like to make Ouachita a destination for a week rather than just visiting it for a day.

 

[Bruce]

Here are some pictures from our swimming and sunset dinner cruise with @Backwash and family on Monday.

 

[Jim Robeson]

That is a beautiful lake!! Great pictures!!

 

[Cotay]

Makes me miss living in Arkansas and Missouri. Nice pictures!