A diamond lake in the Ouachita Mountains of west central Arkansas, Lake Catherine State Park is a wonderland of recreation.
There are three main paths to choose from and each passes by Falls Creek Falls, the highlight of the trail system.
The woods are well marked and frequently run along a scenic creek.
In the spring after several heavy rainfalls there were many picturesque cascades.
Eventually, they all converge down to the waterfall.
You may first see it from above, but the trail takes you down for a different view. A twin waterfall, not the tallest in the land, but a delicate beauty.
Wade into the pool of turquoise water and get a bit closer, feel the refreshing mist.
Shortly after the water flows into Lake Catherine, which was formed by Remmel Dam, the first major hydro-electric facility in Arkansas.
This is a favorite spot for summertime swimming. A final surprise before the end of the trail, a bouncing suspension bridge appeared in the woods.
There are lakeside cabins constructed from native stone and wood in the 1930s by the CCC and rental boats are available all year long. On the other side of the park, back towards the entrance is the short and accessible Slunger Creek Nature Trail.
The concrete path runs 5/8ths of a mile beside the serene green water.
This environment is the only place in the world that the Ouachita streambed salamander is found, discovered in 2011.
Good to know:
+The preserve is free to park and hike