Lake Ouachita Arkansas

[Leroy2u]

I am looking for a marina that has easy access and is launch frinedly (even ramps). I would prefer to stay on the south side of the lake along 270. I was looking at Denby point for a day stay and launch, anyone been to this area?

Thanks....

 

[Terry-JAY]

I don't have a boat so I can not comment on the launch, but I have stayed in several of the state parks in that area and they are very nice. Have you looked at Lake Catherine State Park as well? It was one of the nicest ones we have stayed in.

 

[ladywendolyn1]

We stayed in Lake Catherine state park last year.. So pretty.. With the big trees! They had a boat launch and rentable boats.

 

[Bob Landry]

We are in Lake Catherine SP this weekend and it's one of our favorite parks including the National Parks. We did a day trip up to Lake Dardanelle SP today to check it out because we have reservations for July. It's the most spectacular SP we've seen in Arkansas and could easily become our new favorite, and it's only a couple of hours further than Lake Catherine. Lake Quachita is very nice, but is very popular and may be difficult to book.

 

[Leroy2u]

Thanks for the information on lake catherine, I will definately look into this park. This will be my first time in the area and I am looking forward in seeing this country.

 

[Bob Landry]

If you can swing a trip around the last of October, you can catch a gorgeous color change. It's not the Northeast, but it's gorgeous and won't cost you an arm and a leg for gas to get there.

BTW, all of the Arkansas State Parks that are on lakes have good ramps and courtesy docks. Corps of Engineers control the lakes and under agreement with the parks department, keep the lakes at a certain level durin tourist season, something umheard of in Texas.

 

[Terry-JAY]

We just got back from Petit Jean. It is a little further north but it was by far my favorite so far.....lake Ouachita is also fun if you like to dig for quartz. Close to the big self dig mines.

 

[drfife]

I too really like Petit Jean State Park Arkansas. It's one of our favorite parks. But, if you are a boater, this is not a park for you.

We also enjoyed Lake DeGray State Park Arkansas.

 

[Capstone]

We just got in from Degray Lake SP. Nice place and beautiful lake. We ran over to Catherine Lake SP to check it out and plan on going back this summer. Didn't make it to Ouchita this time.

 

[Leroy2u]

If you can swing a trip around the last of October, you can catch a gorgeous color change. It's not the Northeast, but it's gorgeous and won't cost you an arm and a leg for gas to get there.

BTW, all of the Arkansas State Parks that are on lakes have good ramps and courtesy docks. Corps of Engineers control the lakes and under agreement with the parks department, keep the lakes at a certain level durin tourist season, something umheard of in Texas.[/QUOTE]



Now that is unbelievable! I wish we had that here as well. That makes us "Texas, the NOT so friendly state". I also didn't know there were quartz mines around there as well, I may have to tack on an extra day on the trip.

 

[Terry-JAY]

We have been up crystal digging a couple of times....lots of fun. The first time we came back with buckets of good crystals...the second time was not so good...but still a lot of fun. Wear clothes and shoes you don't care about!

I know there are several around, but we did Coleman Quartz.
They actually have an RV park on site....we didn't look real close, but it seemed fine and pretty reasonable.

 

[Leroy2u]

You can't beat $12.50 a night for full hookups!!:lizard:

I think I may have to stop into the quarry for a few hours with the kids, thanks Terry!

 

[Terry-JAY]

Make sure you drink LOTS of water. You are on top of a dirt mound and it really sucks the moisture out of you....

They give you a bag to put crystals in, but I bring a 5 gallon bucket. Also throw in some digging tools. I bring a small folding shovel, a brick hammer, a few picks, garden trowels, etc....enough to thrown in the bucket and then carry around. You can park your car right at the mound, so bring a picnic lunch and snacks. Some days you do well...others....no so well You will see people there with carts lugging out huge rocks for landscaping too. It is one of those good family fun things you need to do.

We liked Lake Catherine because we got to go up and do crystals and visit Hot Springs. Be sure to go to the Gator Farm while the girls are doing the whole spa thing.