Lake Hamilton

FOR LOCALS, Lake Hamilton is the lake you grew up on. Summers were spent at your best friend’s parents’ lakehouse. It’s where you first learned to fish and water-ski. One of Arkansas’s most popular recreational and residential lakes, much of it is lined with condos, resorts and private homes, as well as restaurants. Located on the southern edge of Hot Springs, it is also where you can take a famous National Park Duck Tour,  or board the Belle of Hot Springs for lunch, dinner and dance cruises. Relaxing and romantic, the dinner cruise is a perfect date night idea. Before dinner service, order a cocktail and cozy up on the top deck enjoying the breeze as the boat slowly circles the lake. After a delicious meal, return upstairs to watch the sun dip behind the Ouachita foothills.

The Hot Springs Fishing Challenge is held on Lake Catherine and Lake Hamilton every summer. “BIG AL” is the fish that bears the lucky tag worth $15,000.