Lake Leatherwood City Park
4.7(883)google
4.7(23)yelp
NatureLake
Overview
Lake Leatherwood Park is a municipal park on the north side of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. The park covers 1,600 acres (650 ha), and its centerpiece is Lake Leatherwood, a 100-acre (40 ha) body of water created by the Lake Leatherwood Dam, which impounds West Leatherwood Creek. The dam, along with roadways, recreational facilities, and other elements of the park, were built in the 1930s by work crews of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) with funding from the federal government's Soil Conservation Service.
Practical Info
Mon8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sun8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration3-6 hours
Best TimeLate October foliage peak is phenomenal for walking the trails. Head to the park's crown jewel—the historic hand-cut limestone Leatherwood Dam—early between 6:30 AM and 8:30 AM; morning alpine mist rolling over the glassy lake waters as the rising sun paints the red maples and massive masonry walls provides world-class framing.
Getting ThereLocated west of Eureka Springs at 1303 County Road 204. Driving a car is mandatory due to its rugged wilderness pass geography: from town, follow US-62 W west for 4 miles, turn right onto the unpaved County Road 204, and follow park signage for 1 mile to the loop terminus. Offers free paved parking fields bordering the swim beach.
Travel Tips
- The historic stone dam walkway features micro-widths and zero safety parapets or safety netting. Climbing or sitting on the edge for self-photography is a major violation; during spillway runoff, the crest is locked and tresspassers are arrested.
- The park operates high-velocity gravity downhill mountain bike lanes. Hikers are completely prohibited from stepping onto singletracks designated as 'MTB Only'; doing so risks head-on impacts from riders descending at speeds exceeding 40 km/h.
- Deep-forest trail mileage spans complete telecommunication voids. The park is active black bear habitat; all hiking units must pack EPA-approved bear spray on an external thoracic holster and secure food waste inside lockable canisters.
Reviews
Positive
- A massive, beautifully preserved city park highlighted by a magnificent 1930s hand-cut stone dam that offers stunning historic and natural scenery.
- An outdoor paradise packed with over 25 miles of pristine singletrack hiking/biking trails and convenient lake boat launches for kayaking.
- The park infrastructure is excellent, providing well-maintained public shower facilities, shaded picnic pavilions, and exceptionally clean flush restrooms.
- It masterfully preserves an authentic, non-commercialized wilderness serenity, charging zero entry fees, making it a highly valuable state treasure.
Heads up
- The primary access road into the park consists of unpaved, rough gravel that develops deep ruts after rain, challenging low-clearance vehicles.
- Due to the vast thick wilderness, trail signs deep in the valleys can be scarce or weather-worn, making it easy to lose direction without a mobile map.
- The dense forest and lakeside are heavily infested with seed ticks, chiggers, and poison ivy in summer, necessitating strict protective clothing.
- During dry late summer months, the water source dries up completely, leaving the historic stone dam spillway totally bone-dry and less visually impressive.