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Arkansas
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Arkansas State Parks

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Arkansas
Central Arkansas Region
Lake Catherine State Park
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LAKE CATHERINE STATE PARK
LAKE CATHERINE STATE PARK
1200 Catherine Park Rd
Hot Springs, Arkansas   71913-8605

Phone: 501-844-4176
Reservations: 501-844-4176
Email: park email button icon
Nestled in the natural beauty of the Ouachita Mountains on 1,940-acre Lake Catherine, one of the five popular Diamond Lakes in the Hot Springs area, Lake Catherine State Park features CCC/Rustic Style facilities constructed of native stone and wood by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Situated along the lakeshore are the park's 18 cabins that feature fully-equipped kitchens. Most have wood-burning fireplaces.

The park's fully-accessible cabin, the Polly Crews Cabin, was designed in detail to serve the needs of visitors with disabilities. The cabin also includes its own private and fully-accessible fishing pier and boat dock. The 1,160-square-foot cabin is a design inspired by the rustic architectural designs of five other cabins in the park. An accessible parking space and path provide barrier-free access to the cabin. The two-bedroom cabin includes a bathroom offering both a spa tub and a roll-in shower. Just outside the cabin's screened porch overlooking the lake is a large flagstone patio with a picnic table and pedestal grill.

Park interpreters offer guided hikes, boat tours and programs during summer, or by advance request in other seasons. Guided horseback trail rides are available during the summer months.

Just up Catherine Park Road (Ark. 171) from Lake Catherine State Park, Diamondhead, a private resort community also located on Lake Catherine, offers a golf course, snack bar, restaurant and Olympic-size swimming pool that park visitors are welcome to enjoy, too. Diamondhead's golf course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course with a pro shop, snack bar, cart rentals and a driving range.

History of the Area
Established in 1935, the park is located on Lake Catherine's shores. It was constructed by Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC built cabins and trails that are still used today.

The area offers a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, hiking and camping. In addition to these outdoor pursuits, visitors can also explore an interpretive nature trail or take part in ranger-led programs.

In recent years it has been recognized for its diverse bird population making it popular among bird watchers.

Cabins
All Cabins have a view of the water and have a max occupancy of 6 persons. All units are heated/air conditioned and have full kitchens. There are outdoor grills and picnic tables. All have bathrooms. Linens, dishes, pots and pans are furnished. There are no telephones in the cabins.

The park's fully-accessible cabin, the Polly Crews Cabin, was designed in detail to serve the needs of visitors with disabilities. The cabin also includes its own private and fully-accessible fishing pier and boat dock. The 1,160-square-foot cabin is a design inspired by the rustic architectural designs of five other cabins in the park. An accessible parking space and path provide barrier-free access to the cabin. The two-bedroom cabin includes a bathroom offering both a spa tub and a roll-in shower. Just outside the cabin's screened porch overlooking the lake is a large flagstone patio with a picnic table and pedestal grill.

Camping
Sixty-eight campsites and two Rent-A-Camp sites offer lake views and woodland views. Two of the park's campgrounds just reopened following a total renovation. It encompassed 32 campsites in Camping Area ?C,? an area that stretches along the shore of Lake Catherine and includes many lakeside sites. In Camping Area ?A,? located on a hillside nearby, a total of 12 campsites were renovated. Campground improvements include new roads, utility distribution systems and the parking pads and utilities at each campsite. Most of the parking pads are now 60 feet long or longer. Now classified as Class AAA sites, each one is a pull-in or back-in campsite featuring water and sewer hookups plus combined electrical for 20 amp, 30 amp, and 50 amp connections. Each site includes a picnic table, grill, lantern hanger and tent pad. Additional vehicle parking is scattered throughout the camping areas. Campground improvements include two barrier-free campsites that are located adjacent to the two existing bathhouses. Both bathhouses now offer barrier-free access for visitors with disabilities.

Golf Course
Just up Catherine Park Road (Ark. 171) from Lake Catherine State Park, Diamondhead, a private resort community also located on Lake Catherine, offers a golf course, snack bar and Olympic-size swimming pool that park visitors are welcome to enjoy, too. Diamondhead's golf course is an 18-hole, par 72 championship course with pro shop, snack bar, cart rentals and a driving range.

Marinas
The park's marina, open in summer only, sells bait and fuel. Rental boats are available throughout the year. The park features a launch ramp, standard pavilion, picnic sites, playgrounds, laundry and trails. Gifts, groceries, snacks and ice are available for sale daily at the visitor center that overlooks the swimming area and nature center (open during the summer only).

Boating
Seventy campsites include Premium D, Preferred B, Standard B and two Rent-A-Camp sites offer lake views and woodland views.


Location
Lake Catherine State Park is located near Benton, Hot Springs National Park and Hot Springs Village

Trails
Dam Mountain Trail (National Recreation Trail) Length: 4 miles Time: 2 1/2 - 3 hours Difficulty: Moderate Brochure: Available at visitor center

Description: The trail passes through the pine/hardwood forest of the park to the top of Dam Mountain. Spring and fall offer a variety of wildflowers, plants, and animal life. Streams and cascades are great for providing solitude and attracting the keen eye of the photographer.

Location: Exit #97 off I-30 at Malvern, then 12 miles north on Hwy. 171



Falls Branch Trail (National Recreation Trail)

Length: 2 miles Time: 1 1/2 - 2 hours Difficulty: Moderate Brochure: Available at visitor center

Description: The trail begins near the campground and winds through the pine/hardwood forest of the park, crossing Little Canyon Creek several times. It eventually leads to a scenic waterfall on Falls Creek and works its way back to the trailhead.

Location: Exit # 97 off I-30 at Malvern, then 12 miles north on Hwy. 171



Horseshoe Mountain Trail (National Recreation Trail)

Length: 3 1/2 miles Time: 2 - 2 1/2 hours Difficulty: Moderate Brochure: Available at visitor center

Description: The trail passes through pine/hardwood forests and novaculite glades along the ridgetop of Horseshoe Mountain. Hikers can enjoy wildflowers, interesting rock formations and scenic vistas.

Location: Exit No. 97 off I-30 at Malvern, then 12 miles north on Hwy. 171


Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
March 18 We love Lake Catherine! by Jen
park review stars; one to five Cabins are comfortable and super-clean, and the staff is wonderful. Even when they are filled to capacity, the cabins are peaceful.
October 20 My favoirte park. by Ride On - - - TJ
park review stars; one to five Very nice and quite park.Park is long side a smaller lake (for Arkansas) with lots of senery and mountains all around.Nice trails to choose from.You have to walk the short distance to the waterfall.Very nice.I must say it is a very nice place.They have just remodeled and I can wait to check it out now that it is almost fisished... Happy Trails my friends...
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Area Campgrounds
Hot Springs RV Park
2351 East Grand Avenue
, AR
501-617-8455
J B's RV Park & Campground
8601 J B Baxley Road
Benton, AR
501-778-6050
Young's Lakeshore RV Resort
1601 Lakeshore Drive
Hot Springs , AR
800-470-7875
Nearby Hotels
Booking.com

Directions
To reach Lake Catherine State Park, take Exit #97 off I-30 near Malvern and go 12 miles north on Ark. 171 to the park.

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Arkansas
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Arkansas State Parks

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