The Great Lakes Tour: Three Parks, Scenic Views and a Sweet Finish

On August 6, Theresa and I decided to make the most of a summer day with an easy, looping road trip through three of central Arkansas’s most scenic lakeside state parks. With temperatures promising to climb quickly, we set out early and kept our pace relaxed—giving ourselves time for photography, good food and a few cool treats along the way.

We left our driveway in Alexander at 7:46 a.m. and returned home by 3:40 p.m., covering 197 miles. Here’s how our day unfolded so you can retrace our route if you’d like to enjoy your own Great Lakes Tour.

Stop 1: Lake Catherine State Park
Address: 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR
Our first destination was Lake Catherine State Park, a peaceful retreat nestled in the Ouachita Mountains. This park offers hiking trails, fishing and plenty of shaded picnic areas along the shore. We arrived early enough to have the place mostly to ourselves—a perfect time for a quiet stroll and a few photos before the sun really started to bite.

Stop 2: DeGray Lake Resort State Park
Address: 2027 State Park Entrance Road, Bismarck, AR
The drive from Lake Catherine to DeGray took us past the Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery, a reminder of how important these waters are to Arkansas anglers. DeGray Lake Resort State Park is the only resort park in the state system, complete with a lodge, golf course, marina and an expanse of shoreline views that beg to be photographed. We explored the lodge area, checked out the marina and took a few panoramic shots of the lake.

Lunch: The Yum Yum Shop
Address: 160 Pine Street, Mountain Pine, AR
By now, our appetites were in full swing, and we headed to The Yum Yum Shop in Mountain Pine. We were glad we dropped in because this place lives up to its name. Theresa went for an Italian sub, I ordered a Chicago hot dog, and we split a generous basket of homemade onion rings (some of the best we’ve ever had). Everything was fresh, flavorful and worth the detour. And the folks running the place couldn’t have been any nicer!

Stop 3: Blakely Mountain Dam
Before heading to our final park, we made a quick stop at Blakely Mountain Dam on the Ouachita River. This massive structure holds back the crystal-clear waters of Lake Ouachita and offers a dramatic overlook—ideal for photos and a moment to take in the scale of Arkansas’ largest lake.

Stop 4: Lake Ouachita State Park
Address: 5451 Mountain Pine Road, Mountain Pine, AR
Lake Ouachita State Park is a jewel in the state park system, with pristine waters, campgrounds and trails. We lingered here to capture shots of the marina and Three Sisters Springs, and to watch the boat traffic gliding across the water. Even in August heat, the breeze off the lake made it a pleasant stop.

Final Treat: Kreme Kastle
Address: 15922 Highway 70, Benton, AR (near Lonsdale)
On the way home, we capped off the day with ice cream from the Kreme Kastle, a roadside favorite. I went classic with vanilla in a cone; Theresa opted for one of their delicious banana milkshakes. It was the perfect ending to a warm, adventure-filled day.

Trip Recap
Distance Driven: 197 miles
Time on the Road: approximately 8 hours.
Parks Visited: Lake Catherine, DeGray Resort, Lake Ouachita
Highlight Meal: The Yum Yum Shop, Mountain Pine
Sweet Treat: Kreme Kastle, Lonsdale

Reflections
Some trips are about covering ground; others are about savoring a smaller loop with big rewards. The Great Lakes Tour gave us three beautiful state parks, a handful of memorable photo ops and some meals worth repeating. For anyone looking for a full-day outing without a grueling drive, this loop through central Arkansas delivers both scenery and flavor in equal measure.