This 40,000-acre Lake Is So Clean It’s Dubbed the ‘Caribbean of Arkansas’

While the bright blue, crystal clear Caribbean Sea may garner all sorts of attention, there are more than a handful of freshwater lakes that rival the tropical region’s most pristine waters in terms of color and clarity.

Switzerland’s Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne, for instance, show off their glittering hues in the sunshine. There’s also Lake Annecy in France, Lake Winnipeg in Canada, and the Blue Lake in New Zealand. In the U.S., a couple of bodies of water may immediately come to mind, like Lake Tahoe, Crater Lake, and Lake George, among others. There’s also one lake that may have less powerful name recognition, but its waters are just as stunning: Lake Ouachita.

Located in west-central Arkansas, just about 10 miles from Hot Springs National Park, the 40,000-acre lake, known for its incredibly clean, clear water, is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest. The name “Ouachita,” pronounced “Wash-ah-taw,” is the French spelling of the Native word “Washita,” which comes from the Choctaw phrase “Owa Chito,” or “big hunt.”

Lake Ouachita’s beauty is multifaceted. It’s relatively undeveloped—homes are not allowed to be built directly on the shoreline—giving it a wild, rugged nature, but the lake itself is manmade. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the reservoir between the years of 1946 and 1954; it’s one of three lakes built by damming the Ouachita River. Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine are its neighbors.

Although the water draws comparisons to the Caribbean, one of the most significant differences is the fact that the lake has a forest beneath the surface. So even though its averages around 50 feet deep and measures in at 200 feet at its deepest point, shallow waters and even tree tops are still prevalent; 60-foot-tall trees were left standing when the lake was filled in.

Besides underwater trees, the lake has all sorts of wildlife, including freshwater sponges, freshwater jellyfish, and even freshwater shrimp. Several species of fish also call Lake Ouachita home, and anglers have the chance to catch striped bass, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, and bream.

Along with fishing, visitors go swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, and camping. In fact, there are over 200 islands within the lake where you can find a remote, private campsite. And if you prefer something a bit more civilized? There are eight cabins within Lake Ouachita State Park that you can rent for an overnight stay.