Located five miles from the town of Dierks, Arkansas, Dierks Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation area was developed after 1975, with the formation of the dam. Dierks Lake occupies 1360 acres and is located 56 miles down the Saline River as part of the Little River Basin System. The lake is a reservoir that provides flood control on the Saline River and creates recreation and wildlife areas. There is a buffer zone around the lake to ensure that wildlife in the area have quality habitat and the natural areas are carefully managed.
There are three developed recreation areas on the Lake. Horseshoe Bend Use Area. Jefferson Ridge Use Area, and Blue Ridge Use Area have recreational amenities and overnight camping on Dierks Lake. These recreation areas have picnic sites, playgrounds, and swimming areas. Boating, watersports, and fishing are popular activities on the lake. You can find detailed information on recreational activities, camping, and the natural area at Dierks Lake or in person at the Dierks Project Office in Jefferson Ridge Park.
While visiting Dierks Lake, you will find several nearby attractions for day trips, such as the Diamond Mines at Murfreesboro, Arkansas, at Crater of Diamonds State Park. Other attractions a short drive away include the Hot Springs National Park, the Hope Watermelon Festival, and the nearby Native American Museum and Monuments.
To reach the Jefferson Ridge Use Area From Dierks, Arkasas, head southwest on highway 70 then head north on Route 49/Greens Chapel Road to Jefferson Ridge Road. On Jefferson Ridge Road go right to access the Jefferson Ridge campground area. It is a 20 minute drive and 12.3 miles. The access roads are paved, but hilly and winding with lots of trees. Watch for wildlife in this natural area when traveling with your RV.
Traveling from Texarkana go north on U.S. Highway 71 then turn right/east at US 70. From highway 70 you can turn left onto Greens Chapel Road/Route 49 to access the park.
From Hot Springs, go west on highway 70 and turn right on Greens Chapel Road/Route 49.
If you are visiting the Blue Ridge Park on the north side of the lake. Go east on Highway 70 from Dierks and turn left onto Highway 278. Proceed to Blue Ridge Road then turn left to access the park.
To reach Horseshoe Bend Use Area form Dierks, go west on Highway 70, then turn right on Lake Road. Proceed along Lake Road which will bend to the west. Take Horseshoe Bend Access Road on the southside of the road to assess the park area.
The Horseshoe Bend use area has reservable overnight camping, and offers 11 sites with water and electric hookups. This is a beautiful wooded park, just off the Saline River, below the Dierks Dam on Dierks Lake. There is a group picnic shelter, showers, and a flush toilets available for campers to use.
Access to the lake for canoers and kayakers is available here, but there is no boat launch for motor boats. There is fishing from the lakeside banks, which is a popular activity at this recreation area. A playground at the campground is great for families with little ones to enjoy while camping at this lakeside park. Enjoy the scenery in this quiet campground, which is open all year around, and do some wildlife watching in this peaceful setting. New to RV camping? Check out How to Set Up Camp for helpful hints on setting up your campsite while staying in the Horseshoe Bend campground.
Located on the north side of the lake, at the mouth of the Saline River, the Blue Ridge area has overnight camping for RVs. There are 22 campsites, with 30 amp electric and water hookups for RVers to use. Sites include firepits and picnic tables. Other amenities at the campground include flush toilets, showers, two boat ramps, a playground, fish cleaning station, and a designated swimming area with a beach.
This campground is off the beaten path and fairly secluded and private with wooded areas. The campground is open all year and takes reservations. Venture out on the lake with your boat and enjoy some watersports or fishing, and come back to your private campsite for a fireside feast. Enjoy hiking around the campground and spotting some of the local critters that make their home here. Little ones enjoy the playground and swimming area at the campground, but be sure to supervise children carefully, especially in the water.
Jefferson Ridge is open year around, but their peak season is May to September. Jefferson Ridge is on the west side of Dierks Lake, and provides 85 campsites and two day use group picnic shelters for RV campers. The group picnic areas are reservable, and popular for large groups using the campground. The picnic shelters have electrical outlets and barbecue grills.
Campsites have 50 amp electric and water hookups and can accommodate rigs up to 65 feet in length. Sites have fire pits and picnic tables. There are several sites that border the lake and the lake shore is forested with pine and hardwood species providing plenty of shade and privacy.
Amenities at the campground include showers, flush toilets, drinking water supply, fish cleaning stations, and two dump stations. There is also a playground, two swimming areas with beaches, and two boat ramps h. While camping at Jefferson Ridge you can enjoy wildlife watching, watersports, fishing and swimming, as well as hiking on the campground trails.
Trails used for hiking in the summer become excellent cross country ski trails in the winter when adequate snowfall has occurred. Venture out to Dierks Lake during the off season to enjoy the pristine wilderness environment, cool crisp air, and some winter exercise.
Be sure to wear layers you can take off when cross country skiing, as skiers tend to warm up with exertion, especially if they are cutting new trails. Bring water, as water supplies during the winter are not available at the recreation areas.
Hunting in the Dierks Lake areas must be conducted in accordance with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations. There is about 593 acres of land for hunting in the Howard County Game Management Area.
Species that can be found in the area include whitetail deer, quail, squirrel, mourning dove, rabbits, and waterfowl. You can reach hunting areas by some public access roads or timber access roads. Other areas must be reached by hiking or boat.
During the spring or fall, fishing on the lake may be more peaceful, when there are fewer high speed boaters on the lake enjoying water sports. Fish species in the lake include smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and sunfish.
Fishing is also possible in the downstream area from the lake and from the lakeshore. Be sure to have a current fishing license and be aware of fishing regulations and limits for the area.
There are three designated swimming areas on Dierks Lake. One at Jefferson Ridge, one at Blue Ridge, and another at Horseshoe Bend. There is a small fee, charged either per person or per vehicle, to use the swimming areas.
Swimmers should avoid docks and boating channels. Use caution, and do not venture out to depths that are beyond your swimming ability. Watch children carefully, they should always be within an arm's length, and lifejackets are recommended for little ones and non-swimmers.
Many group and individual picnic sites are available at the three recreation use areas on Dierks Lake. There are four reservable picnic areas at Jefferson Ridge, Horseshoe Bend, and Dierks Overlook, which are great for large events such as family reunions.
Picnic shelters have lights, barbecue grills, and electric outlets. There are also playgrounds, hiking trails, and swimming areas that can be used during picnic outings, providing additional fun while enjoying an outdoor meal at Dierks Lake.
Dierks Lake, occupying 1360 acres, is a boating paradise. Watersports and fishing are popular activities from boats on the lake. Motor boats, kayaks, and canoes are frequently used watercraft. There are boat launches at the west and north sides of the lake providing access to the water.
Remember to have life preservers or personal flotation devices on board for all passengers, and do not overload your boat to enjoy an outing on the water. Boat operators should be aware they need to give the dam appropriate clearance, and there are buoy lines and warning signs indicating the no boating zone near the dam.
