Lake recommendation?

We%26#39;re considering visiting the Hot Springs area for Labor Day weekend. It will be our first visit to the area. We are two couples, each with one nine year child. We are wondering about staying at Lake DeGray or Lake Ouchita. We like to swim, canoe, and take short nature hikes that would be fun for the kids. We enjoy canoeing (sp?) on a lake as well as an easy river trip (no real rapids). We might bring our bass boat and do some fishing, not sure about that. Which lake do y%26#39;all think would suit our families the best based on our description of likes?

We would visit Hot Springs one day and go to the Mountain Tower. It seems we won%26#39;t have enough time to include Magic Springs this time, although that sounds like fun. How does this sound for a plan: stay at the lake area, spend a day at Hot Springs, spend a whole day out at the lake, go to the Diamond Park place (forget name right now) on the way back home? Or do y%26#39;all have other suggestions?

Thanks for any help!

Lake recommendation?

I have lived in beautiful Heber Springs, Arkansas my entire life. We have the Little Red River and Greers Ferry Lake. We also have a nine year old daughter. We are three hours farther than Hot Springs and are located in the Foothills of the Ozarks. Our population is smaller than Hot Springs and not as commercialized.

We are the hometown of the World record Brown trout and also have great bass fishing. We are also a great place to antique shop.

we have resorts, lake and river campgrounds, condos and hotels.

We also have two wonderful restaraunts located on the river, hiking trails and a wonderful city park. You will want to spend more than one day on the lake if you come.

Good luck with what ever you decide.

Shay

Lake recommendation?

Ouachita is big beautiful and deep. People often dive there. Camping there is great also. However, I think for you I would pick DeGray. More kid friendly more concentrated fishing easier to get around. The lodge there is really nice and camping isn%26#39;t bad at all. But camping will be HOT!!! The MT Tower in HS is cool, the drive up to it is pretty good too!. Maybe ride a Duck?? Magic Springs just opened up the state%26#39;s biggest water park. But you would definately use a whole day doing that. Plenty to do and to eat in HS for a day trip. Crater of Diamonds is a good adventure. A girl recently found a big ole diamond just walking on the foot path! However, in the summer HOT and DIRTY!

Thanks for the help HogFan! I wish we had enough vacation days left this year to stay one more day, we would like to try Magic Springs Waterpark. Maybe we can go next summer too :-)

What is a Duck ride?

Thanks again.

the duck rides are land/water vehicles that do a quick tour of town and then a tour on lake hamilton. They are very popular and you catch them right down on bathhouse row.

You might take a look at Mountain Harbor Resort on Lake Ouachita. I stayed there for a business retreat and it was pretty nice. Also I would definitely take in the Mid America Museum. Our kids have loved it from preK through preteen. Nine is a perfect age for this Science museum. It is just outside Hot Springs on the way to Ouachita. There should be a discount coupon at the downtown tourist office. Lake Hamilton should be considered also. It is right in Hot Springs and though overdeveloped and not known for pristine water quality, there is nothing our kids like more than a day of tubing on that winding lake with lots of coves. There are many condo choices on that lake.