Top 13 Lakes around Conway

Conway, Arkansas, is home to several notable lakes. The largest is Lake Conway, known for fishing, though it's currently undergoing a multi-year draining for remediation. Beaverfork Lake offers diverse water recreation and a park with a swim beach. Lake Bennett, located within Woolly Hollow State Park, provides a classic state park experience with clear waters and hiking trails.

Yes, fishing is a popular activity. Lake Conway is historically a premier fishing destination for bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Beaverfork Lake also offers good fishing for bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie. At Lake Bennett in Woolly Hollow State Park, anglers can find bass, redear bream, crappie, and catfish.

Beaverfork Lake is excellent for water recreation. You can enjoy swimming at the designated swim beach, boating (with public ramps available), windsurfing, kayaking, and fishing. The adjacent Beaverfork Lake Park also offers amenities like picnic areas and a disc golf course.

Absolutely. Beaverfork Lake Park features a swim beach, playground, and picnic areas, making it ideal for families. Lake Bennett in Woolly Hollow State Park also has a sandy swim beach (lifeguarded in summer) and offers rentals for pedal boats, canoes, and kayaks, which are great for family outings. The park also has camping facilities.

Yes, there are several options for hiking and walking. At Lake Bennett, a 3.5-mile hiking trail encircles the lake within Woolly Hollow State Park. Other trails like the Gold Creek Loop and the Enders Fault Mountain Bike Trail are also available in the park. While Lake Conway is undergoing draining, the Bell Slough State Wildlife Area and Nature Trail nearby offers hiking opportunities.

Near Beaverfork Lake, you can find the historic Springfield-Des Arc Bridge, an 1874 bowstring iron truss bridge that has been relocated and restored, now serving as a pedestrian walkway. At Woolly Hollow State Park, which encompasses Lake Bennett, visitors can explore the historic Woolly Cabin, an 1882 one-room homestead.

As of November 2023, Lake Conway is undergoing a multi-year draining process for silt remediation and dam spillway gate modifications. It is expected to be empty for approximately five years, significantly impacting recreational access during this period.

Yes. At Beaverfork Lake, public boat ramps are available. Lake Bennett in Woolly Hollow State Park offers rentals for fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, and pedal boats, along with a free launch ramp for personal boats. Historically, Lake Conway had public boat launches, but access is limited during its draining period.

The lakes are excellent for wildlife spotting. Lake Conway is an important bird area, and the adjacent Camp Robinson Wildlife Management Area offers opportunities for spotting small game, turkey, and deer. Beaverfork Lake is also popular for birdwatching. You can often see various bird species and other local wildlife around the lake shores.

Yes, camping facilities are available at Woolly Hollow State Park, which surrounds Lake Bennett. Many campsites are located along the water, offering a scenic outdoor experience.

Beaverfork Lake is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Conway, making it a highly accessible and versatile spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking for a quick escape or a full day of recreation.

For easy hikes around the broader Conway area, you can explore routes like the Cypress Grove Park Loop or the Airport Lakes Park Loop. These are generally flat and suitable for a relaxed walk. You can find more options in the Easy hikes around Conway guide.

While specific cycling routes directly around the Conway, Arkansas lakes are not detailed, the broader Conway region offers various cycling opportunities. You can find routes like the Cady Way and Cross Seminole Trails or the Cady Way, Baldwin Park, and Lake Underhill Trails Loop. Explore more options in the Cycling around Conway guide.