ARKANSAS - In the "Natural State," the landscape is a dramatic mix of the rugged Ozark Mountains and the fertile Mississippi Alluvial Plain. To find the largest lake in Arkansas, you have to choose between a massive artificial reservoir in the high country or a sprawling natural basin in the lowlands that was shaped by the power of the Mississippi River.
The Man-Made Giant: Lake Ouachita
By surface area, Lake Ouachita is the largest lake entirely within Arkansas's borders. Created in the early 1950s by the construction of the Blakely Mountain Dam on the Ouachita River, it is a centerpiece of the Ouachita National Forest.
- Surface Area: Approximately 40,000 acres.
- Shoreline: 690 miles.
- Location: West-central Arkansas, near Hot Springs.
Lake Ouachita is unique because it is almost surrounded by federally protected forest land, meaning no private homes or commercial docks are cluttering the shoreline. It is world-renowned for its "crystal clear" water and is a premier destination for scuba diving, sailing, and striped bass fishing. The lake is also home to over 200 uninhabited islands, where boaters can find private beaches for primitive camping.
The Natural Legend: Lake Chicot
While the Ozark and Ouachita mountains are full of reservoirs, the largest natural lake in Arkansas is found in the southeastern corner of the state. Lake Chicot is the largest oxbow lake in North America, formed over 600 years ago when the Mississippi River shifted its course.
- Surface Area: Approximately 20 miles long and covering roughly 5,300 acres.
- Location: Chicot County, near the town of Lake Village.
Lake Chicot is a quintessential Delta scene, lined with ancient, moss-draped Cypress trees and fertile wetlands. Because of its narrow, "C-shaped" oxbow form, it feels like a wide, slow-moving river. It is a legendary fishery for crappie and bream and serves as a major stopover for migratory birds traveling the Mississippi Flyway. For history buffs, the lake is also the site where Charles Lindbergh made his first night flight.
The "White River" Heavyweight: Bull Shoals Lake
While Lake Ouachita is the largest entirely within the state, Bull Shoals Lake is often cited among Arkansas' giants. It straddles the border with Missouri and is the largest body of water in the State northern tier.
- Surface Area: Approximately 45,000 to 70,000 acres (shared with Missouri).
- Location: Northern Arkansas, near Mountain Home.
Bull Shoals was the last of the major flood-control reservoirs built on the White River. It is famous for its massive volume and serves as a world-class trout fishery in the cold waters directly below the dam.
Arkansas' water features are led by Lake Ouachita, a 40,000-acre artificial masterpiece that offers a pristine, forest-rimmed escape for boaters and divers in the west. In the Delta, Lake Chicot stands as the State natural champion—the largest oxbow lake on the continent and a beautiful, cypress-lined remnant of the ancient Mississippi River. Whether you prefer the deep, mountain-fed reservoirs or the historic oxbows of the plains, Arkansas offers some of the most scenic inland waters in the country.