Beaver Lake, Arkansas: The Complete Lake Guide

Beaver Lake is a Corps of Engineers reservoir on the White River in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, with about 28,000 surface acres and 449 miles of shoreline at the top of the conservation pool. It is known for striped bass fishing, a cold trout river below the dam, parks run by the Corps and the state, the drowned resort town of Monte Ne, and for being the main source of drinking water for the region.

In this guide

• Where Is Beaver Lake?
• What Is Beaver Lake Known For?
• Beaver Lake at a Glance
• History of Beaver Lake
• Beaver Lake Boating Guide
• Beaver Lake Fishing Guide
• Best Things to Do at Beaver Lake
• Best Places to Visit Around Beaver Lake
• Beaver Lake Towns and Communities
• Beaver Lake Vacation Guide
• Beaver Lake Family Activities
• What Should You Bring to Beaver Lake?
• Local Knowledge: A Drowned Resort, a Drinking Water Lake and a Trout River
• Questions People Ask About Beaver Lake
• Beaver Lake Gifts & Apparel

Where Is Beaver Lake?

Beaver Lake is in the Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, according to the Corps, and it lies in Benton, Carroll and Washington counties, according to a University of Arkansas Extension paper. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas says it extends from near Eureka Springs to roughly Fayetteville, with the dam on the White River near Busch in Carroll County. The Beaver Water District measures the lake at about 50 miles long.

The Corps of Engineers (Corps) Little Rock District manages the lake from the Beaver Lake Project Office at 2260 N 2nd Street in Rogers, and its project page gives directions from Fayetteville: 22 miles north on US 71, then east on US 62. The Project Office phone is (479) 636-1210. This guide does not give drive times from other cities, so check a map app for your route.

Most of the lake's public places have a mailing address in one of a handful of towns:

Town	Corps parks and marinas with that address
Rogers	Prairie Creek, Rocky Branch and Horseshoe Bend, plus the Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area visitor center
Garfield	Lost Bridge Marina and the Inn at Lost Bridge on the north side
Eureka Springs	Starkey Marina and Dam Site Lake Campground
Lowell	Hickory Creek

Addresses come from the Corps project page, Recreation.gov, the operators' own sites and Destination Rogers. The Corps lists more recreation areas than this table, and the parks section below names them.

What Is Beaver Lake Known For?

Beaver Lake is known for its fishing, its role as a water supply, its trout tailwater and its drowned history.

• Striped bass. The Corps says the lake is "home to record-breaking striped bass," and AGFC's weekly fishing reports follow guides who fish striped bass, crappie and walleye here.
• A Corps lake with a long list of parks. The Corps' project page lists recreation areas from Blackburn Creek to War Eagle, and seven year-round commercial marinas sit on the shore.
• Drinking water. The US Geological Survey (USGS) says the lake is the source water supply for over 281,000 customers. See the question below on drinking water.
• A trout river below the dam. The Beaver Tailwater is a cold-water trout fishery on the White River below the dam, stocked since 1966, according to AGFC.
• A drowned resort. The lake covers most of Monte Ne, a resort founded in 1900, and the amphitheater ruins surface when the lake is low.
• Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. Arkansas State Parks says the 12,173-acre park on Beaver Lake has 54 miles of multi-use trails and guided kayak tours.
• Bass tournaments. Arkansas.com describes the lake as known nationally for bass fishing, and Destination Rogers says the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour made its first visit to the lake in spring 2026.
• Clear water. Arkansas.com describes the lake as having clear water, and AGFC's weekly reports have also called the water clear.

Beaver Lake at a Glance

Fact	Detail
Type	Reservoir on the White River, built by the Corps for flood control, hydroelectric power, water supply, recreation, and fish and wildlife
Location	Benton, Carroll and Washington counties, Arkansas. Madison County is in the watershed
Surface area	About 28,000 acres at the conservation pool. Corps and Water District tables give 28,220 to 28,371 acres, and a 2018 USGS survey measured about 27,900. About 31,700 acres at the top of the flood pool
Shoreline	449 miles at the top of the conservation pool (Corps and AGFC). Other sources give about 480 to 490 miles, which use other measurements
Length	About 50 miles (Beaver Water District). The Encyclopedia of Arkansas gives 73 miles, and we use the Water District's measurement from Highway 45 to the dam
Depth	Average about 60 feet (Beaver Water District). The dam is 228 feet high. The Beaver Water District's map gives 240 feet as the deepest water and the Encyclopedia of Arkansas gives 216 feet
Normal level	1,120.43 feet above sea level at the top of the conservation pool. The top of the flood pool is 1,130 feet
Dam	228 feet high and about 2,575 feet long, with a concrete section and an earth and rock embankment (Corps)
Built	Construction began in November 1960, power generation began in May 1965 and the project was completed in June 1966
Main inflows	The White River, the Middle Fork and West Fork of the White River, Richland Creek and War Eagle Creek (USGS)
Managing agencies	The Corps runs the dam and most of the public land, AGFC sets fishing and boating rules, and Beaver Water District treats the drinking water

Figures come from the Corps' reallocation report, the USGS 2018 survey, AGFC's Beaver Lake page, the Beaver Water District and the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Sources disagree on area, shoreline and depth because they measure different pool levels and dates. The USGS survey uses a different elevation datum (NAVD88), so it lists the conservation pool as 1,120 feet. The table was checked in October 2026.

History of Beaver Lake

Why the lake was built

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas says the Corps first studied flood control on the upper White River in 1929 and 1930, Congress authorized the project in 1954, and President Eisenhower's veto of a 1959 funding bill was overridden. It adds that Beaver was among the first Corps reservoirs to supply municipal and industrial water. The Shiloh Museum of Ozark History says the Beaver Water District was incorporated in 1957 and that the cities that formed it paid for extra dam height to store water.

Building the dam

According to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, groundbreaking was on November 22, 1960, power generation began in May 1965 and the project was completed in June 1966, with the reservoir reaching normal pool in 1968. The Corps report lists the dam at 228 feet high and about 2,575 feet long, with seven gated spillway crest gates. The Encyclopedia says the Corps later spent about $33.5 million on seepage repairs between 1989 and 1994.

What the lake covered

The Shiloh Museum says the Corps bought more than 40,000 acres, that families moved their homes and cemeteries, and that 39 cemeteries and 1,584 graves were relocated. It names the Monte Ne resort as one historic site lost to the water. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas adds that the Corps acquired flowage easements rather than all of the land, and it calls Beaver a largely residential lake.

The first modern bass tournament

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas says Ray Scott held the first modern bass tournament on Beaver Lake on June 5 to 7, 1967, and that the Walmart FLW Tour came to the lake from 1997 to 2009.

Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area

The Encyclopedia of Arkansas says Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area borders the lake and that its visitor center opened in 2009. Arkansas State Parks lists the park at 12,173 acres.

Beaver Lake Boating Guide

Beaver Lake is a long Corps lake with river arms, many marinas and a level that moves with the seasons. Boaters here need to know where to launch, which marinas rent boats, how the water level works, which state rules apply and what low water uncovers. This section covers all of it.

Boat ramps and public access

The Corps' project page lists the recreation areas, and AGFC says the Corps' developed parks have launch ramps. Recreation.gov says the Prairie Creek campground has a five-lane boat ramp, and a 2012 Democrat-Gazette report mentions a public launch ramp at Monte Ne. We found no single Corps table of ramps and lanes, and sources disagree on how many ramps the lake has, so use the Corps page or a marina before you plan around a particular ramp.

As of October 2026, the Corps lists day use at $5 per carload and an annual pass at $40, camping guests exempt, with payment at self-service kiosks that take cards only. A Corps notice reported by Southwest Arkansas Radio describes day-use fees as covering boat launch ramps and swim beaches. Fees change, so check the Corps' Beaver Lake page before you go.

Marinas and rentals

The Corps' project page lists seven marinas run by private operators: Hickory Creek, Horseshoe Bend, Lost Bridge, Prairie Creek, Rocky Branch, Starkey and War Eagle. It says year-round commercial marinas offer groceries, boat rentals, fishing guides, supplies and services. Three of them publish their own rental pages.

Place	Where	What it offers	Links
Lost Bridge Marina	Garfield	Pontoon and deck boat rentals. As of October 2026 its site lists a 24-foot pontoon for 10 people at $220 for 4 hours or $325 for 8 hours, before fuel and tax, and requires a cash deposit	Directions · 359-3222
Prairie Creek Marina	1 Prairie Creek Marina Drive, Rogers	Tritoon pontoons and jet skis. Its site says renters must be 21 or older and posts no prices. It also has a new boat club for 2026	Directions · 925-1623
Starkey Marina	4022 Mundell Road, Eureka Springs	Boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals, tubing and slip rentals, plus a dockside kitchen. Its site does not post prices	Directions · 253-8194

Each marina sets its own age, deposit and license rules. Lost Bridge Marina's site says people born after 1985 need a boating safety certification and that Beaver is a spotter lake, so towing a skier or tuber needs two people in the boat. That matches the state towing rule below. Prairie Creek's site says operators born after January 1, 1986 need a valid boating safety ID, and Starkey's says operators must be born before 1986 or hold a valid boating license. See our Beaver Lake gift guide for ideas on giving a rental, a guided trip or a lakeside dinner as a gift.

If you want to eat by boat, the Prairie Creek Marina site promotes its restaurant, YaYa's Waterside, as a dock-and-dine stop and posts seasonal hours, and Starkey Marina has a dockside kitchen. Each sets its own hours and docking rules, so call first.

Popular areas and navigation

A few facts from AGFC's weekly fishing reports and the Corps help with the layout of the lake:

• River arms and the lower lake. AGFC reports from guide Jon Conklin place summer striped bass fishing in the lower lake toward the dam, and an AGFC report from November 2021 says stripers stay from Monte Ne well up into the river arms and are fished there into spring.
• Monte Ne arm. The Corps lists Monte Ne as a recreation area, and a public launch is there. See the Monte Ne question below.
• Van Winkle Hollow arm. The Democrat-Gazette says this arm, bordered by Hobbs State Park, has no homes or docks.
• Near the dam. Recreation.gov lists scuba diving among the activities at its Dam Site River campground, and the Corps lists several Dam Site sub-areas, including Overlook, Peninsula, Riverview and White Bass Cove.
• Developed and undeveloped shore. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas calls Beaver a residential lake, so expect docks and houses along much of the shore, with public land around the parks and Hobbs.

Carry a chart or navigation app, and plan on traffic near the marinas on summer weekends.

Low water and hazards

The Corps said in an October 2022 statement, reported by KNWA, that low water at Beaver Lake came from less than average summer rainfall and was within normal dam operation for flood risk management and hydropower. It warned that some areas may have underwater obstacles, including land points, tree stumps, rock formations and standing timber, and advised boaters to slow down, wear life jackets, use depth finders, stay in the main river channels, keep a wide distance from shore and take extra care at night.

Water level and how to check it

The Corps publishes the level for Beaver Lake. The top of the conservation pool, the normal full level, is 1,120.43 feet above sea level, and the top of the flood pool is 1,130 feet, according to the Corps' reallocation report. Because the Corps balances flood storage and power production, the level moves through the year, and a lower lake can expose stumps, points and shallow coves while a full lake covers them. Look at the number before you launch. The box below shows the Corps' reading and links to the Corps page.

Boating rules

These are the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and state law rules most visitors need, as published on the AGFC's boating pages and read in October 2026:

• Boater education (AGFC boater education): Anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 must complete an approved boating education course before operating any motorboat, including a personal watercraft (PWC) and a boat with only a trolling motor. AGFC accepts its own approved courses and NASBLA approved certificates from other states, and the AGFC handbook says to carry the certificate on board. Age rules for the operator are in the PWC line below; for a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more, a child under 12 must be under direct supervision of a parent, guardian or other person at least 18.
• Personal watercraft (Arkansas Boating Laws handbook): To run a PWC alone, an operator must be 16 or older. A 12 to 15 year old needs an adult at least 18 aboard, and a child under 12 needs an adult at least 21 aboard. A PWC may be run only from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset. Everyone aboard must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket that is not inflatable, and the operator must attach the engine cut-off lanyard to his or her person, clothing or life jacket (unless going under 5 mph). Liability insurance is required on every PWC.
• Life jackets (Arkansas Boating Laws handbook): Every boat must carry one wearable Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person aboard, and a boat 16 feet or longer must also carry one Coast Guard approved throwable device. Children 12 and younger must wear an approved life jacket at all times, except inside the enclosed area of a houseboat or cruiser, or inside the railings of a party barge, cruiser or houseboat that is not under way. Most inflatable life jackets count only when worn, and a person being towed must wear an approved life jacket.
• Boating under the influence (Arkansas Boating Laws handbook): No one may operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An operator is boating while intoxicated at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more, or 0.02 percent or more if under 21. For a first conviction the handbook lists loss of driver's license for six months, a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, and an alcohol education or treatment program. Refusing a test can mean loss of operating and driving privileges for up to six months.
• Slow, no wake speed (Arkansas Boating Laws handbook): "Slow, no wake" means no wake and no more than 5 miles per hour. Going faster than that is illegal within 100 feet of a designated recreation area, dock, pier, raft, float, anchored vessel, dam, intake structure or other obstruction, unless a different limit is posted. A PWC may not go faster than slow, no wake within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, the shoreline, a dock or a swimmer.
• Towing skiers and tubes (Arkansas Boating Laws handbook): A boat towing a skier, tuber or other person needs an observer at least 12 years old in addition to the operator. On a motorboat, a wide-angle convex rear view mirror can replace the observer, but not on a PWC. Towing is illegal from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, except in designated, adequately lit night skiing areas. A PWC used for towing must be rated for at least three people.
• Registration (AGFC boating pages): Every vessel powered by machinery, whatever its size, must be registered in Arkansas, including a boat with only a trolling motor. The Certificate of Number must be aboard, and a boat registered in another state may be used in Arkansas for up to 90 consecutive days. Liability insurance of at least $50,000 per occurrence is required on every PWC and on every motorboat over 50 horsepower.
• Renting (Arkansas Boating Laws handbook): A business that rents out personal watercraft may not rent one to anyone under 18. The boating education rule applies to renters born on or after January 1, 1986, and each rental business sets its own age, deposit and license rules, so ask when you reserve.

Rules specific to this lake: We found no boating rules for Beaver Lake from AGFC or the Corps beyond the state rules above, and we did not find a published map of no wake zones. Obey any posted buoy or sign, because the state rule applies wherever one is posted. The Corps' Project Office, at (479) 636-1210, can answer questions about park and lake rules.

Seasons and kinds of boating

Marina rentals, restaurants and tours set their own seasons, so check the operator's page before you plan around a date. Pontoons, ski boats, fishing boats, paddlers and personal watercraft all use the lake. Paddlers can join Hobbs State Park's guided kayak tours, which Arkansas State Parks says run from May through October.

Beaver Lake Fishing Guide

Beaver Lake is known for striped bass, and it also holds walleye, crappie, black bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass and catfish. AGFC's Beaver Lake page lists the lake's special regulations, and AGFC's weekly fishing reports describe what guides and bait shops are catching.

Fish species and seasons

Here is what AGFC's reports and the Corps say about each species:

• Striped bass. The Corps says the lake is home to record-breaking striped bass, and an AGFC report in January 2024 shows a 46-pound, 46-inch striper from the lake. A guide quoted in AGFC reports describes the lower lake toward the dam as the summer area and the river arms from Monte Ne as the area from late fall into spring.
• Crappie. AGFC reports from November 2021 describe crappie on brush and structure in 15 feet or less from Hickory Creek into the river arms, and reports from August 2024 describe suspended fish at about 20 to 25 feet.
• Walleye. Guides in AGFC reports say walleye are caught on crawler harnesses and trolled crankbaits in summer and are harder to find in late fall.
• Black bass. AGFC's reports from August 2024 say black bass are best early or late in the day, and the November 2021 report says crankbaits and jerkbaits worked.
• Catfish and bluegill. The August 2024 report calls both good on most methods.

Where and how people fish

Anglers fish from boats, from the bank and from piers. AGFC says the Corps' parks at Hickory Creek and Prairie Creek have handicapped-accessible fishing piers. Anglers 16 and older need an Arkansas fishing license, as the state rules below explain. Fishing guides run striped bass trips on the lake. Reel Ozark Striper LLC lists a 5 hour trip for up to 2 anglers at $450 as of October 2026 on its own site, and it asks you to call or text to book.

Regulations and licenses

Check the current Arkansas Fishing Guidebook from AGFC before you fish, because limits differ by species and water. As of AGFC's license page (modified September 28, 2026), its statewide limits page (modified April 28, 2026) and the 2026-27 changes that took effect July 1, 2026:

• License (AGFC fishing licenses): Anglers 16 and older need a valid Arkansas fishing license. As of October 2026, AGFC lists a resident annual fishing license at $10.50, a resident 65-plus annual fishing license at $3.50, and a nonresident annual fishing license at $60, with nonresident one-day and three-day licenses at $15 and $30. A separate trout permit ($10 resident, $20 nonresident) is needed to keep trout or fish certain waters.
• Black bass (AGFC statewide limits): Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass: 10 per day combined, with no more than 4 smallmouth, and length limits that vary by water.
• Striped bass and hybrid striped bass (AGFC statewide limits): Striped bass and hybrid striped bass: 6 per day combined, with no statewide length limit, unless the water has its own rule.
• Crappie (AGFC statewide limits): Black and white crappie: 30 per day combined, with no statewide length limit, unless the water has its own rule.
• Catfish (AGFC statewide limits): Channel, blue and flathead catfish: 10 per day combined, with no statewide length limit. There is no daily limit on bullheads.
• Bream (sunfish) (AGFC statewide limits): Bluegill, redear, longear, warmouth and other sunfish: 50 per day combined, with no daily limit on fish under 4 inches.
• Walleye (AGFC statewide limits): Walleye: 6 per day statewide, unless the water has its own rule.
• White bass (AGFC statewide limits): White bass: 25 per day statewide, unless the water has its own rule.

Beaver Lake has its own limits for most of these species, according to AGFC's Beaver Lake page and the AGFC Code Book (section N1.02, as of April 4, 2026), and they replace the statewide limits above on this lake:

• Black bass: 6 per day combined (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted). Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be at least 15 inches to keep.
• Crappie: 15 per day combined, and crappie under 10 inches must be released immediately.
• Striped and hybrid striped bass: 3 per day combined, and striped bass must be at least 20 inches.
• Walleye: 4 per day, at least 18 inches, on Beaver Lake and its tributaries.
• White bass: no daily limit on Beaver Lake and its tributaries.
• Spearfishing and snagging: AGFC's page says spearfishing for game fish is legal in season except for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, and that snagging is allowed from the bank only from April 15 to June 15 in the area below the dam, from the Corps' "No fishing beyond this point" sign downstream to the first Corps boat ramp on the left bank.

AGFC's lake page says its information is general and may change. Read AGFC's current regulations before you keep a fish.

Fishing the Beaver Tailwater

The Beaver Tailwater is the stretch of the White River below Beaver Dam. AGFC says it flows about 7.5 miles before entering Table Rock Lake and that trout stocking began in 1966 because the dam's cold releases changed the habitat. MidCurrent reports that the Norfork National Fish Hatchery supplies all the trout stocked in the tailwater. As of October 2026 the rule is:

• Daily limit: 2 trout of any species, and any trout over 14 inches must be released immediately. AGFC says this rule took effect February 1, 2026 and stays in place until further notice. It replaced an emergency order from October 2025 after hatchery losses, and AGFC's trout coordinator described the change as temporary, according to MidCurrent.
• Permit: the trout permit in the license rules above applies to keeping trout.
• Near the dam: AGFC's trout regulation text (a 2017 copy) says no fishing, boating or wading within 100 yards of Beaver Dam and sets an artificial-lure-only, barbless-hook zone starting about half a mile below the dam. Read the current AGFC trout rules before you wade.

AGFC's weekly reports from 2021 and 2024 say most trout were caught between Houseman Access and the US 62 bridge. They also note that the Corps releases water from the dam to keep the tailwater cool, so anglers can feel a temperature change.

Seasons for fishing

The lake is fished all year. AGFC's reports describe the crappie bite on brush in fall, summer striped bass in the lower lake and striped bass in the river arms from late fall into spring. Destination Rogers says the lake last hosted a major pro bass tournament in 2017 before the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour's first visit, held April 30 to May 3, 2026. Tournaments and guide trips are run by private organizers, so check each organizer's own site.

Best Things to Do at Beaver Lake

• Rent a boat. Lost Bridge and Prairie Creek marinas list pontoon rentals, and Starkey lists kayaks and paddleboards.
• Fish for striped bass. Book a guide or fish on your own, and read the lake's limits above.
• Fish the tailwater for trout. Follow the 2026 trout rule and the permit requirement.
• Camp at a Corps campground. Recreation.gov lists 11 Beaver Lake campgrounds, and Hobbs State Park has 11 primitive sites.
• Swim at a Corps beach. Check the Corps for open beaches and water quality first. See the swimming question below.
• Paddle with a ranger. Arkansas State Parks lists guided kayak tours on Beaver Lake from May through October. As of October 2026 Destination Rogers lists the moonlight tour as free, with equipment provided, a minimum age of 9, a limit of 10 people and registration required by calling (479) 789-5000.
• Hike Hobbs State Park. The park's 54 miles of multi-use trails include short walks, such as Shaddox Hollow at 1.5 miles and Sinking Stream at half a mile.
• Look for the Monte Ne ruins. When the lake is low, the amphitheater surfaces.
• Watch for bald eagles in winter. The Democrat-Gazette says wintering eagles peak in January and early February and that the Van Winkle Hollow arm is a good place to look. Check the Hobbs calendar for any tours.
• Go to dinner by boat. See the marinas section above.

Best Places to Visit Around Beaver Lake

These are the public places this guide covers, and why each one matters.

• Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area at 20201 East Highway 12, Rogers (Directions). The 12,173-acre park on Beaver Lake has a visitor center, 54 miles of multi-use trails, guided kayak tours and primitive hike-in and bike-in campsites. Entry is free, according to the Arkansas State Parks FAQ. Phone 479-789-5000.
• Dam Site Lake Campground at 348 Dam Site Lake Road, Eureka Springs (Directions). Recreation.gov lists 44 electric sites and places the campground near the dam. As of October 2026 non-campers pay a $5 per-vehicle area use fee. Phone 479-253-5828.
• Prairie Creek in Rogers (Directions). Recreation.gov lists more than 100 sites, a five-lane boat ramp, a playground and a sand volleyball court. AGFC lists an accessible fishing pier here. The marina and YaYa's Waterside are at Prairie Creek too.
• Hickory Creek in Lowell (Directions). Recreation.gov lists 63 campsites and group shelters, and AGFC lists an accessible fishing pier.
• Lost Bridge in Garfield. The Corps lists Lost Bridge North and South, and Lost Bridge Marina rents boats. The marina's own history says the original Lost Bridge, completed in 1929, was destroyed in a 1943 flood and later covered by the lake. The Inn at Lost Bridge (Directions) is a marina-owned inn about a mile from the marina on Highway 127.
• Monte Ne. A Corps recreation area on the arm where the resort once stood. See the Monte Ne question below.
• Other Corps areas. The Corps' project page also lists Blackburn Creek, Blue Springs, Horseshoe Bend, Indian Creek, Rocky Branch, Starkey, Ventris and War Eagle.

Beaver Lake Towns and Communities

Beaver Lake is not a town, and the communities around it are where its parks and marinas have their addresses.

• Rogers. The Corps' Beaver Lake Project Office, Prairie Creek, Hobbs State Park and the Rocky Branch and Horseshoe Bend marinas all have Rogers addresses. Rogers is also one of the cities served by Beaver Water District.
• Garfield. The north-side address for Lost Bridge Marina and the Inn at Lost Bridge.
• Eureka Springs. The address for Starkey Marina and Dam Site Lake Campground, and the nearest town to the dam. Recreation.gov places the lake near Eureka Springs.
• Lowell. The address for Hickory Creek Park and its marina.
• Bentonville, Fayetteville and Springdale. These cities, with Rogers, are served by Beaver Water District, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Fayetteville is also the starting point in the Corps' directions.
• Beaver. The town for which the lake is named. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas says the lake takes its name from the town site in Carroll County, which was named for the settler Wilson Ashbury Beaver and was rejected as the dam site.

Beaver Lake Vacation Guide

When to visit

Operators set their own seasons, so use these as planning notes and check each operator's page:

• Spring and early summer: The Hobbs kayak tours run from May, and AGFC's snagging season below the dam runs April 15 to June 15.
• Summer: AGFC reports describe striped bass in the lower lake.
• Fall: AGFC reports describe good crappie fishing on brush. The Corps has said low water can follow a dry summer, so see the low water section above.
• Winter: Wintering bald eagles peak in January and early February, per the Democrat-Gazette.

Where to stay

• Corps campgrounds: Book on Recreation.gov. The Dam Site Lake, Hickory Creek and Prairie Creek listings show check-in at 4 p.m. and check-out at 1 p.m. for reservations that begin on or after April 1, 2026.
• Hobbs State Park: Eleven primitive sites with no water, electricity or toilets, per Arkansas State Parks. The Pigeon Roost sites close during fall hunting seasons.
• The Inn at Lost Bridge: As of October 2026 its site lists standard rooms from $85 in season and $55 off season, with a three-night minimum on holiday weekends.
• Vacation rentals and Eureka Springs lodging: We do not recommend a specific listing, so check Visit Eureka Springs and Destination Rogers.

What first-timers should know

• Check the lake level before you launch.
• Carry proof of a boating education course if you were born on or after January 1, 1986.
• Slow to no wake speed within 100 feet of docks, ramps, shore and swimmers.
• Pay Corps day-use fees at the kiosks with a card.
• Check the Corps before you swim, because beaches can close.
• Read the lake's special fishing limits, and the tailwater trout rule.

Beaver Lake Family Activities

• Swim at a Corps beach. Check beach status with the Corps first.
• Play at Prairie Creek. Recreation.gov lists a playground and a sand volleyball court.
• Join a kayak tour. Destination Rogers lists the moonlight tour with a minimum age of 9.
• Walk a short trail. Hobbs State Park has trails from half a mile to 1.5 miles, plus two accessible hiking trails.
• Fish from an accessible pier. AGFC lists piers at Hickory Creek and Prairie Creek, and anglers 16 and older need a license.
• Remember life jackets. Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket at all times on a boat, with the exceptions in the state rules above.

What Should You Bring to Beaver Lake?

• Life jackets for everyone. Arkansas requires a wearable Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person aboard, and children 12 and younger must wear one at all times on a boat.
• Proof of your boating education course if you were born on or after January 1, 1986 and will run any motorboat or PWC.
• An Arkansas fishing license if you are 16 or older and plan to fish.
• Registration and safety gear for your own boat: the Certificate of Number, a throwable device on boats 16 feet or longer, navigation lights from sunset to sunrise, a fire extinguisher if your boat needs one, and proof of insurance if you have a motor over 50 horsepower or a PWC. See the AGFC boating pages.
• A way to check the water level. The live box in the boating section links to the Corps' White River conditions page.
• A card for day-use fees. The Corps' kiosks take cards only.
• A depth finder, and a plan for low water. See the hazards section above.
• A rain jacket, a layer, sun protection and water.

Local Knowledge: A Drowned Resort, a Drinking Water Lake and a Trout River

Monte Ne under the lake

Monte Ne was a resort town founded by William Hope "Coin" Harvey, who bought land near Silver Springs in 1900. Wikipedia says the Hotel Monte Ne opened on May 4, 1901. The lake flooded almost all of the resort, and Harvey's tomb was moved to a hilltop that can be seen from the Monte Ne boat launch. See the question below on seeing the ruins.

A cold river below a warm lake

The Beaver Tailwater exists because of the dam. AGFC says stocking began in 1966 to offset the cold releases, which made the river less suitable for native sport fish, and that Beaver was the last project built on the White River.

The lake that fills the tap

Beaver is the primary fresh water source for most of Northwest Arkansas, according to the Extension paper cited above. The Corps' reallocation report describes water supply as one of the lake's authorized purposes, and the Beaver Water District is the largest supplier.

A bridge that was lost

Lost Bridge Marina's own About page says the marina is named for a bridge completed in 1929 and destroyed in a 1943 flood, and that the site was later covered by Beaver Lake.

Graves moved before the water came

The Shiloh Museum says 39 cemeteries and 1,584 graves were relocated for the lake, and that some earth used in the dam embankment came from pits that held graves, which had to be moved first.

Questions People Ask About Beaver Lake

How big and how deep is Beaver Lake, and why do sources disagree?

Beaver Lake covers about 28,000 acres at the conservation pool and has 449 miles of shoreline at the same level, according to the Corps and AGFC. Other sources list 31,700 acres, which is the area at the top of the flood pool, and about 480 to 490 miles of shoreline, which use other measurements. The average depth is about 60 feet, and the dam is 228 feet high. The Beaver Water District's map gives 240 feet as the deepest water and the Encyclopedia of Arkansas gives 216 feet, so treat it as more than 200 feet near the dam.

What is the normal water level at Beaver Lake, and why does it drop?

The top of the conservation pool is 1,120.43 feet above sea level, and the flood pool tops out at 1,130 feet, per the Corps. The Corps said in 2022 that low water was within normal operation for flood risk management and hydropower, and AGFC's reports show the lake at 1,118 feet in August 2024 and 1,118.70 feet in November 2021. Use the live box in the boating section for the Corps' reading.

Can you still see Monte Ne under Beaver Lake?

Sometimes. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported in 2012 that when the lake was low, concrete and rock sections of Harvey's amphitheater poked above the surface in the Monte Ne arm, and that you could see them from the public launch ramp. Wikipedia says the lake's lowest level, in January 1977, exposed the amphitheater and bridges. A Corps ranger told the newspaper that visitors may not take anything from the site, that metal detecting is prohibited, that driving along the shoreline is prohibited and that visitors should walk in along the public shoreline and stay close to the water to avoid trespassing on private land. Those rules came from a 2012 report, so call the Project Office at (479) 636-1210 before you go.

Can you swim in Beaver Lake, and why do beaches close?

Yes, at Corps swim beaches, and the Corps tests the water. KY3 reported in May 2024 that the Corps closed Beaver Lake swim beaches after routine testing found E. coli above acceptable levels and posted warning signs. Separately, the Corps permanently closed the swim beaches at Rocky Branch and Lost Bridge South because of erosion, safety and maintenance problems, according to a Gray Media report, and kept both areas open for shoreline access. Check the Corps for beach status before you go.

What are the fishing limits on Beaver Lake?

The lake has its own limits, which replace the statewide ones: 6 black bass per day with a 15-inch minimum for largemouth and smallmouth, 15 crappie with a 10-inch minimum, 3 striped or hybrid striped bass with a 20-inch minimum for stripers, 4 walleye with an 18-inch minimum and no limit on white bass, according to AGFC as of April 2026. Anglers 16 and older need an Arkansas fishing license. See the fishing section for the full list.

What are the trout rules below Beaver Dam?

As of October 2026, AGFC's rule is 2 trout of any species per day, and any trout over 14 inches must be released immediately. It took effect February 1, 2026 and applies until further notice. A trout permit is required to keep trout, and AGFC's rule text says no fishing, boating or wading within 100 yards of the dam. Check AGFC before you go, because the rule was described as temporary.

Is Beaver Lake the drinking water for Northwest Arkansas?

Yes. The USGS says the lake is the source water supply for over 281,000 customers, and a University of Arkansas Extension paper says Beaver is the primary fresh water source for most of Northwest Arkansas and serves about one in seven Arkansans. The Encyclopedia of Arkansas says the Beaver Water District serves Rogers, Bentonville, Fayetteville and Springdale.

How is Beaver Lake different from Table Rock Lake?

Beaver Lake sits upstream of Table Rock Lake on the White River. AGFC says the Beaver Tailwater flows about 7.5 miles below the dam before entering Table Rock Lake, and that Beaver was the last project built on the White River.

Where can you camp at Beaver Lake, and do you need to reserve?

Recreation.gov lists 11 Beaver Lake campgrounds, from Dam Site Lake to War Eagle, and Recreation.gov advises booking early because reservations typically open several months ahead. Hobbs State Park has 11 primitive sites. Check-in is 4 p.m. and check-out is 1 p.m. for reservations that begin on or after April 1, 2026.

Beaver Lake Gifts & Apparel

Lake Life Designs makes lake-specific products for people who love Beaver Lake, including a heavy cotton tee, a heavy cotton tee printed on the back, a dri-fit boating shirt, a long sleeve tee, a racerback tank, a sleeveless tee, a sleeveless tank, a hoodie, a hoodie printed on the back, a trucker hat, a classic dad hat, a jigsaw puzzle, a canvas print, a square pillow, a ceramic ornament, and kids' styles in a heavy cotton tee and a toddler jersey tee. On the back printed styles, the lake is on the back and a small Lake Life Designs logo is on the front.

Looking for a gift for someone who loves Beaver Lake? See our guide to Beaver Lake gifts for ideas that include lake apparel, hats and decor, plus local experience gifts such as a pontoon rental, a guided striper trip and a dockside dinner.

Shop the full Beaver Lake collection.

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Details last verified October 2026. Rules, fees, hours and water levels change, so check the linked official pages before you go.

Sources: Corps Beaver Lake reallocation report, Corps project page (CorpsLakes), Corps Beaver Lake recreation page, Corps White River conditions, USGS 2018 bathymetric survey, USGS Beaver Lake page, Beaver Water District watershed map, Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Beaver Dam and Lake, Shiloh Museum: Building Beaver Lake, University of Arkansas Extension FSA-9513, AGFC Beaver Lake fishing page, AGFC Code Book N1.02, AGFC Beaver Tailwater, AGFC trout regulation news, MidCurrent: Arkansas trout regulations, Arkansas trout regulation text (2017 copy), AGFC weekly fishing report, August 8, 2024, AGFC weekly fishing report, August 15, 2024, AGFC weekly fishing report, November 24, 2021, AGFC boating pages, AGFC boater education, Arkansas Boating Laws handbook, AGFC fishing licenses, AGFC statewide limits, Recreation.gov: Beaver Lake, Recreation.gov: Dam Site Lake, Recreation.gov: Hickory Creek, Recreation.gov: Prairie Creek, Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area, Destination Rogers: MLF Bass Pro Tour, KY3: swim beach closures, Gray Media: permanent beach closures, KNWA: low water, Democrat-Gazette: Monte Ne, Democrat-Gazette: eagles, Wikipedia: Monte Ne, Arkansas.com: Beaver Lake, Lost Bridge Marina, Prairie Creek Marina, Starkey Marina, Reel Ozark Striper.