Lake Greeson, Arkansas, USA
Southwest of Little Rock, Arkansas in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, lies a hidden mountain treasure. Lake Greeson is one of the oldest reservoirs in Arkansas. Although relatively undiscovered, there are ample amenities and recreational opportunities for visitors. With over 7,000 acres of water, this mountain beauty is waiting to be explored. Lake Greeson is the dream of Martin White Greeson (B. 1866), and the answer…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Greeson! Article topics include:
- All About Lake Greeson
- Where to Stay
- Vacation Planning Tools
- Things to Do
- Known Fish Species
- Lake Greeson Map
- Statistics / Weather / Helpful Links
- Lake Greeson Gifts
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Southwest of Little Rock, Arkansas in the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, lies a hidden mountain treasure. Lake Greeson is one of the oldest reservoirs in Arkansas. Although relatively undiscovered, there are ample amenities and recreational opportunities for visitors. With over 7,000 acres of water, this mountain beauty is waiting to be explored.
Lake Greeson is the dream of Martin White Greeson (B. 1866), and the answer for an area troubled by repeated flooding. Created in 1950 by the Narrows Dam, Lake Greeson is an impoundment of the Little Missouri River. The Pike County lake is divided into three layers. The bottom layer is kept full to maintain enough pressure to run the powerhouse to generate hydroelectric power. The middle layer is for power storage, and the top layer is for flood storage. The top layer is usually empty unless it is holding flood waters after heavy rains. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers controls the 151-foot long concrete gravity dam, the lake, and the surrounding area, totaling about 16,000 acres.
Lake Greeson’s value extends far beyond hydroelectric power and its important role in flood control. It is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. Anglers fish for black and white bass, stripers, crappie, and bluegill, with very good fishing for channel catfish and rainbow trout. There are 7,000 acres of land open to the public for hunting, and bird watchers will love catching glimpses of the wintering bald eagles. Daisy State Park is a favorite family destination, providing campsites, picnic areas, launch ramps, hiking trails, and a motorcycle/mountain bike/ATV trail. Bear Creek Trail, the only year-round, off-road trail in the Arkansas trail system, offers cyclists 31 miles of beautiful cycling and ATV trails to explore this mountain lake.
The Cinnabar Mine Trail surrounding the lake is a nature trail to an abandoned cinnabar mine. The mine was popular in the 1930s and 1940s, before the creation of the lake. The cinnabar was used for decorative purposes and as a source of mercury for thermometers. For a few dollars, treasure hunters, young and old, can hunt for diamonds at nearby Crater of Diamonds State Park. Hunters can keep the diamonds they find, making this a popular family outing.
Lake Greeson’s steep shoreline creates many islands, peninsulas, and interesting geological formations, including “chimney rock.” Lake Greeson is a mountain paradise waiting to be enjoyed, so pack your bags and plan your trip soon.
Things to Do at Lake Greeson
These are some activities in the Lake Greeson, AR area visitors can enjoy:
- Vacation Rentals
- Fishing
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Hiking
- Biking
- Hunting
- Wildlife Viewing
- Birding
- State Park
What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Greeson?
Lake Greeson has been known to have the following fish species:
- Bass
- Bluegill
- Catfish
- Channel Catfish
- Crappie
- Pike
- Rainbow Trout
- Sunfish
- Trout
- White Bass
Find Places to Stay at Lake Greeson
If you’re considering a Lake Greeson lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.
Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.
More Sites to Book a Lake Greeson Vacation
Our interactive Lake Greeson lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:
Lake Greeson Statistics & Helpful Links
Lake Type: Not Known
Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Surface Area: 7,260 acres
Shoreline Length: 134 miles
Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 548 feet
Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 504 feet
Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 563 feet
Average Depth: 39 feet
Water Volume: 279,700 acre-feet
Completion Year: 1950
Drainage Area: 237 sq. miles
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