Lake Hamilton was created in 1932 when the Arkansas Power and Light Co. completed Carpenter Dam on the Ouachita River to generate electricity. Today, the 7,460-acre impoundment is one of Arkansas's most popular recreational and residential lakes. Much of it is ringed with condominiums, resorts, motels, restaurants and private homes.
State Scenic 7 Byway crosses the lake.
Water-skiing, pleasure boating and fishing are popular
Hot Springs attractions on
Lake Hamilton and rentals of watercraft and sport accessories are readily available. The
Belle of Hot Springs is a 400-passenger riverboat that offers sightseeing, lunch, dinner and dance cruises on the lake.
Garvan Woodland Gardens is a 210-acre, lakeshore botanical garden accessible by boat.
Fishing: Arkansas’s striped bass record fell twice in March 1997. First, a 53-lb., 9-oz. striper was caught. Four days later, a striper weighing 53 pounds, 13 ounces was caught. Both record fish came from Lake Hamilton.