Swimming holes in Arkansas
Sourced below, last checked November 4, 2026. Confirm with the park office before you go.
For river swimming, the Buffalo National River has no entrance fee and allows swimming from gravel bars. For a lake beach, Lake Catherine State Park near Hot Springs offers free swimming at its beach with no lifeguard, and DeGray Lake Resort State Park has two swim beaches. Devil's Den's pool is summer only.
| Buffalo National River entry | No entrance pass or fee [1] |
|---|---|
| Buffalo pets | Allowed on the river, gravel bars and in campgrounds, under physical control; barred from some trails [2] |
| Buffalo safety | Don't dive from cliffs; clear water can look deeper than it is; rivers rise quickly [3] |
| Lake Catherine SP | Free swimming at the swim beach; no lifeguard [4] |
| Lake Catherine contact | 1200 Catherine Park Rd, Hot Springs, AR 71913; 501-844-4176 [4] |
| DeGray Lake Resort SP | Two swim beaches; 2027 State Park Entrance Rd, Bismarck; 501-865-5850 [5] |
| Devil's Den pool season | Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, 11 am to 6 pm; closed Mon and Tue except holidays [6] |
| Devil's Den pool price | $6 age 6 and up, $5 ages 2 to 5; phone 479-761-3325 [6] |
Buffalo National River
The river's gravel bars are where most people swim. The NPS warns that cold water brings on hypothermia fast, that glare and muddy water hide rocks, and that you should always swim with a buddy. Check flow before you go:
Water data
- USGS 07055660, Buffalo River at Ponca: 77.0 cfs, 3.78 ft gage height at Nov 4, 2026 7:30 PM CT (provisional, captured when this page was built).
- USGS 07056000, Buffalo River near St. Joe: 63.1 cfs, 2.91 ft gage height at Nov 4, 2026 6:45 PM CT (provisional, captured when this page was built).
Readings show flow or level, not water safety.
State park beaches
Lake Catherine is the closest to Hot Springs and posts a clear swim-at-your-own-risk notice. DeGray is a resort park with golf and a full-service marina in addition to its two beaches. Neither page we checked lists a beach fee for DeGray, so ask the park.
North of the Ozarks, Missouri has clear creek swimming at Johnson's Shut-Ins. Other pilot states: Texas, Oklahoma.
Common questions
Is the Buffalo National River free?
Yes. NPS says no entrance pass is required.
Is swimming free at Lake Catherine State Park?
Yes, the state lists free swimming at the swim beach, with no lifeguard.
Sources
- NPS Buffalo National River: Fees and passes. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- NPS Buffalo National River: Pets. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- NPS Buffalo National River: Safety. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- Arkansas State Parks: Lake Catherine. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- Arkansas State Parks: DeGray Lake Resort. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- Arkansas State Parks: Devil's Den. Last checked November 4, 2026.