Lake Ouachita State Park

Arkansas is a state that is filled with more freshwater lakes than people, and the people love to fish, float, and spend time on the banks of almost every single one. Lake Ouachita is the largest of Arkansas many lakes, with freshwater covering a span of 40,000 acres within the Ouachita National Forest. 

With some of the most spectacular facilities and campsites in Arkansas, this is one of the ideal places to visit with your dog, especially since dogs are allowed anywhere in the park on a leash! Most people who come to Lake Ouachita State Park come for the boating, fishing, kayaking, swimming, water-skiing, or scuba diving, all of which offer visitors the chance to enjoy a day on the water. 

Many fisherman and kayakers have found ways to bring their dogs along for the ride, while other dogs enjoy splashing at the edges of the lake while their owners enjoy long walks along the shore. The Caddo Bend Trail offers hikers and dog-walkers a strenuous four-mile hike while the Dogwood trail is an easy half-mile where dogs can stretch their legs after a day of napping at the campsite.

Arkansas State Parks manages Lake Ouachita State Park, which is free for all to enjoy. Staff on-location offer guided hikes, eagle sightseeing tours, and kayaking tours at all times of the year. If you are hoping to stay a few nights, the park offers 93 campsites and full-service cabins, giving you the option to camp right on the lake’s edge or with all the comforts a modern, luxury home.

There are plenty of picnic areas for day use, and well-maintained facilities throughout the park to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Lake Ouachita State Park should be high on your places of interest to visit if you live in the state, and if you are a visitor passing through, spend some quality time with your dog at the largest freshwater lake in Arkansas!