BNB Hot / Choosing a stay
Choosing a stay
How to choose a lakefront stay near Hot Springs
Four lakes sit within easy reach of Hot Springs, and they feel quite different. Pick the lake first, then the house.
Pick your lake
Lake Hamilton
About 7,200 acres on the Ouachita River, held back by Carpenter Dam, and wrapped around the south side of Hot Springs. It has the most rental homes and the most boat traffic.
Lake Catherine
The smaller lake (about 1,940 acres), downstream of Carpenter Dam and impounded by Remmel Dam. Lake Catherine State Park sits on its shore.
Lake Ouachita
The largest lake entirely within Arkansas, formed by Blakely Mountain Dam about ten miles northwest of Hot Springs. Lake Ouachita State Park rents cabins here.
DeGray Lake
A 13,800-acre lake about 21 miles south of Hot Springs on Highway 7, home to DeGray Lake Resort State Park.
What to check in the listing
- Main channel or cove. Main-channel homes on Lake Hamilton get wider views and more boat wakes. Coves are usually calmer for swimming and kayaks.
- The walk to the water. Many lake lots are steep. Count the stairs in the photos if anyone has trouble with them.
- The dock. Is it private or shared? Is there a swim ladder? Can you tie up your own boat?
- Water gear. Kayaks, paddleboards and life jackets are often advertised. Ask what sizes and how many.
- Lake levels. Ask how the dock and shoreline look in the month you are visiting.
Questions to ask the host
- Is the house inside Hot Springs city limits, and what is its STR license number?
- How deep is the water at the end of the dock?
- Is there room to park a boat trailer?
- Are there rules for using the dock or swimming area?
- Who responds if something breaks during the stay?
Stays we have checked
We only feature lakefront stays here after we have confirmed the listing is real, active, and (inside city limits) licensed with the City of Hot Springs. We do not rank properties or accept payment for placement.
Verified stays
We only feature real, bookable lakefront stays that we have confirmed with the host. None are listed yet. If you run one in Hot Springs and want it considered, email us or call 501.365.1001.
Common questions
Why is there no top 10 list here?
Our old list described properties we could not verify, so we removed it. We now feature only listings we have checked are real and licensed, and we do not rank them.
How much are taxes on a Hot Springs rental?
Inside city limits, stays under 30 nights carry about 14.5% in state, county and city taxes. Airbnb and Vrbo collect them at checkout.
Which lake is quietest?
Lake Hamilton is the busiest because it wraps around Hot Springs. Lake Catherine is much smaller, and Lake Ouachita and DeGray are larger lakes farther from town. Within any lake, a cove is usually calmer than the main channel.
Ask us about a stay
Send us your question about staying or hosting in Hot Springs and we will point you to the right local resource.
Sources
- City of Hot Springs: Short-term Residential Rentals
- City of Hot Springs: STR policies, rules and regulations (Ordinance O-21-26)
- Airbnb Help: Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in the US
- Vrbo Help: Where Vrbo collects and remits lodging taxes (US A-E)
- Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine (Wikipedia)
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Remmel Dam
- Encyclopedia of Arkansas: Blakely Mountain Dam
- Lake Ouachita (Wikipedia)
- DeGray Lake Resort State Park (Wikipedia)
- Arkansas State Parks: Lake Catherine State Park
Questions about short-term rentals in Hot Springs?
Call or text 501.365.1001, or send a note and we will get back to you.