Beaver Lake is a popular recreation area in Northwest Arkansas, with opportunities for boating, fishing, scuba diving, swimming, and picnicking on the shore.
Spanning over 28,000 acres and lined with colorful limestone bluffs, Beaver Lake features more than 480 miles of shoreline with quick and easy access from Rogers on Scenic Highway 12 East.
History
Beaver Lake is one of five multi-purpose projects constructed in the White River Basin for the control of floods, generation of hydroelectric power, public water supply, and recreation, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which manages the lake. Construction started in 1960 and wrapped up in 1966, costing $6.2 million.
Flood Control
Floods in the 1920s and ’30s prompted the Corps of Engineers to prepare for future disasters by building a series of reservoirs along the White River Basin.
The White River chain of lakes are managed as one system: Beaver Lake, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Lake Norfork work together to help control flooding. Their water levels are managed by the Corps of Engineers, making sure there’s enough space to hold extra water from heavy rain or runoff, and to release the right amount of water into the White River based on the season.
Fun Fact
A town named Monte Ne, which was a resort town in the early 1900s, is now submerged beneath the lake. Parts of the town can be seen when the lake level drops, particularly during drought conditions.
Nearby Lake Access Points and Marinas for Boat Rentals
Prairie Creek Recreation Area and Marina: 1 Prairie Creek Marina Drive, Rogers
Rocky Branch Marina and Recreation Area: 8872 Rocky Branch Marina Road, Rogers
Horseshoe Bend Recreation Area and Marina: 16168 East Highway 94, Rogers
Hickory Creek Recreation Area and Marina: 12737 Hickory Creek Road, Lowell
Other Equipment Rentals
Beaver Lake Outdoor Center offers kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, tubes, mountain bikes, and jet skis for rent. (479) 877-4984
On the Shore
Prairie Creek Public Use Area: Day use includes access to a sandy beach, picnic areas with BBQ grills, and a playground. Day use fee. 98 Prairie Creek Marina Dr., Rogers
Fishing
Beaver Lake is nationally renowned for bass fishing, but other fish that can be found in its waters include crappie, bream, channel, and spoonbill catfish.
Camping
There are over 2,000 acres of campground and over 650 individual campsites at Beaver Lake. Go to recreation.gov to find a reserve site.
Did You Know?
You can scuba dive in Beaver Lake: There is great visibility in the lake’s deep water, and several dive sites to choose from featuring submerged rock formations and sunken boats. Take a course with Beaver Dam Dive Shop & Resort in Eureka Springs, or try your hand at freediving with Freedive NWA in Rogers.