Avery

Open — Open year-round as a day-use area. The facility is unstaffed. A group pavilion with electricity is available for reservation.

Notify on Availability Reserve

About

Avery Recreation Area is located just below Blakely Mountain Dam along the western shore of Lake Ouachita in the Ouachita National Forest. This day-use facility offers excellent shoreline fishing access with an ADA-accessible fishing pier, a boat ramp for water access, and restroom facilities. The area features a small paved ADA trail with scenic benches and the Wood Duck Slough Trail, which provides great wildlife viewing opportunities. Avery serves as one of the main trailheads for the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail (LOViT), a 40-mile long trail system that meanders along the southern shore of Lake Ouachita. Water enthusiasts can enjoy the crystal-clear waters for skiing, jet skiing, and fishing, while hikers explore the extensive trail network. The area is nestled in the Ouachita Mountains just 10 miles west of Hot Springs National Park. Lake Ouachita is fed by the cool waters of the Ouachita River and extends about 30 miles over 40,000 surface acres. A reservable pavilion with electricity is available for group use. This location is unstaffed and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Directions

From Hot Springs, AR: Take US 270 west to AR-227 N/Mountain Pine Rd for 6 miles. Continue straight on Blakely Dam Road through Mountain Pine and past Mountain Pine school. Drive across the base of Blakely Mountain Dam and Avery Recreation Area will be on your left.