It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to reason why Arkansas is affectionately nicknamed ‘The Natural State’.
Boasting a landscape that is as diverse as it is beautiful, everything from the wonders of the Ozarks, to a raft of spectacular lakes. rivers and forests are waiting to be explored in this wonderful region.
For residents of Hot Springs there are no less than 52 state parks they can visit within the state. All of which are managed by the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism.
An excellent way to relax, get healthy or bring about mental clarity, these fabulous state parks provide endless opportunities for activities like hiking, swimming, fishing and boating.
Now that Covid restrictions are over, if you are looking for some inspiration on where you can go, this list of 9 state parks near Hot Springs should provide you with enough ideas.
Map of State Parks Near Hot Springs, AR
Here is a map of the state parks in Arkansas covered by this post:
List of State Parks Near Hot Springs
All 9 of these state parks near Hot Springs can be reached within a 3 hour drive from the city. So they are very accessible day trip destinations.
That said, if you would like to stay at any of them for a prolonged period of time, they all offer a range of camping and other overnight accommodation options too.
1. Lake Catherine State Park
Distance from Hot Springs: about 9 miles southeast of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Lake Catherine State Park is a 2,180-acre (880 ha) public recreation area located on the south shore of Lake Catherine, eight miles (13 km) southeast of Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Highlights associated with Lake Catherine State Park include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and mountain scenery.
See our full Lake Catherine State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Ouachita State Park
Distance from Hot Springs: about 11 miles northwest of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Location: Hot Springs, AR
Lake Ouachita State Park is a 360-acre (150 ha) public recreation area located ten miles (16 km) northwest of Hot Springs, on the eastern side of Lake Ouachita, which at 40,000 acres (16,000 ha) is the largest man-made lake located entirely within the state of Arkansas.
See our full Ouachita State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. DeGray Lake Resort State Park
Distance from Hot Springs: about 19 miles south of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Location: 2027 State Park Entrance Road, Bismarck, AR 71929
DeGray Lake Resort State Park is a 984-acre (398 ha) Arkansas state park in Clark and Hot Spring counties, Arkansas in the United States.
Highlights associated with DeGray Lake Resort State Park include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full DeGray Lake Resort State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Lake Sylvia Recreation Area
Distance from Hot Springs: about 27 miles north of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Location: Perryville, AR
Lake Sylvia Recreation Area covers 18 acres in Perry County, Arkansas. Established 1936.
Highlights associated with Lake Sylvia Recreation Area include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
Visitor facilities listed for the park include rental cabins.
See our full Lake Sylvia Recreation Area guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park
Distance from Hot Springs: about 35 miles southeast of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Location: Jenkins Ferry State Park, AR
Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park covers 40.15 acres in Grant County, Arkansas. Established 1961.
Highlights associated with Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Jenkins Ferry Battleground State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
6. Pinnacle Mountain State Park
Distance from Hot Springs: about 40 miles northeast of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Location: Arboretum Connector, Arkansas
Pinnacle Mountain State Park is a 2,356-acre state park located in Pulaski County, Arkansas just outside of Little Rock.
Highlights associated with Pinnacle Mountain State Park include lake recreation, river access, and mountain scenery.
See our full Pinnacle Mountain State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
7. Petit Jean State Park
Distance from Hot Springs: about 42 miles north of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Location: 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd, Morrilton, AR 72110
Petit Jean State Park is a 3,471-acre (1,405 ha) park in Conway County, Arkansas managed by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.
Highlights associated with Petit Jean State Park include waterfall scenery, lake recreation, and river access.
See our full Petit Jean State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
8. Daisy State Park
Distance from Hot Springs: about 50 miles west of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Location: 103 E Park Rd, Kirby, AR 71950
Ever since it first opened in the 1950s, Daisy State Park has been a popular destination for those who love the water.
Located at the foothills of the stunning Ouachita Mountains, the park resides an hour’s drive southwest of Hot Springs.
It features a terrific 7,000-acre fishing lake which is well stocked with trout, as well as the Little Missouri River, which is also a renowned spot for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing or boating. The latter of which will take you out towards remarkable rock formations which otherwise might not be visible to you from dry land.
Both family and pet friendly, the state park has a playground for children as well as a pavilion and several picnic areas. Camping options include three YURTS and 100 powered and unpowered campsites.
See our full Daisy State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
9. Lake Dardanelle State Park
Distance from Hot Springs: about 55 miles north of Hot Springs (straight-line).
Location: 100 State Park Drive, Russellville, AR 72802
Another fabulous destination for those who love the water is the Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Taking the form of a 34,300 acre reservoir which resides on the Arkansas River, the lake is a haven for angling. An activity that predominantly happens at Russellville where there is also a pier and a Sport Fishing Weigh-In Pavilion.
As well as being a terrific platform for fishing, the pier is a wonderful place to see the sun set. There is also a marvelous beach for swimming, while several trails will take you on scenic hikes around the park.
For the kids there is a very good playground, while park interpreters offer several interesting and educational programs and lake tours. The visitor center also has five aquariums, and there are plenty of boat ramps, pavilions and picnic facilities to enjoy too.
In terms of overnight accommodation across both areas, there are 75 campsites available, which incorporate Class AAA, Class AA, and Class B rated sites.
See our full Lake Dardanelle State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
