Where to go, what to do to catch fish and stay cool? So here’s a map just for you. All within a 20-minute drive from downtown Eureka Springs.
We will start with Lake Leatherwood which is our City Park and is about as old as the city itself with one of the very few hand laid limestone dams still existing. Just head west on US62 and you will see the road on the right before the big bridge crossing the creek.
Leatherwood has a 100-acre spring fed lake with free swimming, boat launch, a trail that goes all around, and a dock with kayaks, paddle boat rental, bait, snacks and beverages. No problem finding shade here.
Look for most your fish here out off the bottom just above the grass. This is a place where you can catch crappie, bass, bluegill and catfish with just a float with a worm or minnow. To the right of the dock it’s shallow where you might even see beds now where the redear spawn.
If you stay on 62 west just a couple more miles you will see Hwy. 187 on your left which makes a loop over Beaver Dam where you can swim or fish for $5 a carload. Then past the dam about a mile you will see Beaver Dam Store on your right which has bait, tackle and good info to help you get some trout.
If you keep going on 187 it then comes back out on 62 about 4 miles west of where you turned off of 62. If you go right here it will bring you back across the river where you will find Riverview Store, which can also help you with your tackle needs.
If you go left on 62 west instead you will see 187 again on the right at the top of the hill which will take you to Beaver Town which has a boat launch, camping and swimming where you pay a small for their park use. Or keep going on 187 across the bridge about a mile after you will see the back way into Holiday Island on your left.
This is Woodsdale Drive and will take you to the marina, which also has tackle and boat rental. If you don’t turn into Holiday Island here and stay on 187 about three miles after the Beaver bridge it will end at Hwy. 23.
Go right on 23 South and you’re back in town. Here are some numbers that might help:
Lake Leatherwood 62 west, (479) 253-7921. Starkey’s Marina, at the end of Mundell Rd., (479) 253-8194. Holiday Island Marina, Woodsdale Dr., (479) 253-8300. Beaver Dam Store, Hwy. 187, (479) 253-6154. Riverview Store, US 62 West, (479) 253-8367, and Johnson Guide Service! (479) 253-2258. Enjoy the shade, enjoy the water.