Lake Catherine State Park
Lake Catherine State Park
4.5
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Offers good hikes, but it can be humid.
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  • TravelingBum10
    United States2,741 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great park
    The state park is well taken care of. The trail to the falls is only 3/4 of a mile with great views of the lake. There’s a nice campground with large spots. Spot 40 and up are full hookups and 38 and below are water and electric. You can rent a canoe or kayak for a minimal price.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 31, 2023
  • 3fpm
    Louisiana162 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Spring break vacation
    Spent 5 nights during spring break and had a great time. The campsites are level and very generously spaced. The park is convenient to Hot Springs and Garvan Gardens. Park staff is courteous and professional. We’ll be returning.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written April 18, 2023
  • BangkokSachse
    Bangkok, Thailand42,344 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Park!
    We visited Lake Catherine State Park in August. The rangers told us the waterfalls had little water. We drove around the Lake Catherine State Park. The lakeside cabins were nice. We went to swim at the beach area near the visitor center. The bathrooms were clean.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 28, 2023
  • saschamc
    Memphis, Tennessee184 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    weekend getaway
    my hubby and I came for a weekend getaway the day after Thanksgiving. We rented cabin 12, which is a 1 bedroom and dog friendly. We brought our Blue Heeler. The cabin was great. It was very well stocked and we had everything we needed. It was very clean and the bathroom and living room were very spacious. Awesome big shower with excellent water pressure and plenty of hot water. The deck was very close to the lake and we really enjoyed the view and the quiet. We did the Falls trail. It was well marked and the dog had a blast. The falls were really roaring, since it had just rained, so that was cool. Trails were all well marked and it was definitely moderate, not easy, just like the sign said. We did the Strunger Creek trail before we left too, and it was paved, level, and easy. We had a great time. There’s no restaurants or stores close, but we went to a Walmart Neighborhood Market and it was only 20 minutes away. Downtown Hot Springs was about 25 minutes away. I saw deer every night, right off our porch, and along the hiking trail, so would definitely recommend keeping your dogs on leash! It was a nice time and a pretty place. We would definitely come back.
    Visited November 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written November 29, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles501 reviews
Excellent
319
Very good
141
Average
35
Poor
3
Terrible
3

EYDJ14
1 contribution
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020 • Solo
I am in town for a day and wanted to do some bass fishing from the bank for a few hours. The only place to do this is a small area from the boat rental dock to swimming area. You have to either launch a boat or reserve a cabin to fish anywhere else.
I gave the park 3 stars because it is such a beautiful place. Absolutely gorgeous! It’d be nice if you could accommodate those who just want to fish for a little while. That’s why I knocked a few stars off.
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Pippibee
90 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020 • Couples
My highly anticipated camping trip to Lake Catherine was a huge disappointment for the camping site, which had a horrible view of a hideous power plant. We booked a “lakefront camping site” for $36/ night, which I would not have minded for a beautiful site.
The park does have nice, flat campsites, clean restrooms, and nice walking trails.
The visitor center was not open, nor the park offices. All in all, I would say camp somewhere else and come over to enjoy the trails but save your money. Relaxing around the fire and enjoying the view just isn’t possible, at least in camping area C, which is the only area with full hookups. (My true rating would be below average, but it skips from average to poor on the ratings.)
Written December 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BnB_SE_Texas
Southeast Texas79 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
We went in the rains of Mid May but found an overcast morning to go out to Lake Catherine. We decided to do the "easy" 2 mile loop that goes by the waterfalls. With all the rain before our visit, there were several waterfalls. Some parts of the walking paths had water running over them. But the trip was worth it! The "big" waterfall (about 1.5 miles in) is beautiful, and just beyond in the trees is a higher, cascading waterfall. Very enjoyable.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sandra S
22 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021 • Family
As I drove into Lake Catherine State Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas, it was magical! The hilly winding roads, tall pines, birds singing, and the fresh crisp air were so inviting. The staff were so friendly. I drove up to my cabin and walked in. My son and I loved it. The cabin was clean and spotless and cozy. There was a kitchen, den, bedroom, and bathroom. It was a beautiful cool spring day and we could look out over the lake. My son and I ate a late dinner and I sat on the patio overlooking the serene lake and watched the sun go down. We awoke early to hike on one of the trails. There were paddle boats and canoes for rent too. There were also boat docks. We all had our our piers to sit out on too. My only regret was that I did not book it for the week or even longer.
Written April 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Keith S
Denver18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2020
As South Texans, reaching any other state within a day is a challenge. Read the reviews of Lake Catherine and we figured we could make a long day out of it and arrive before dark. We did.

What we were not prepared for is how freaking awesome the state park is. We opted for the el cheapo camping area (Class "B") and parked our RV there for two nights. If I had it to do over again (and I will) I would opt for the "AAA" sites. They have full hookups and better amenities. Amazingly better, in fact.

Our trip was the day after labor day and it was still a bit warm, but not oppressive. We enjoyed the friendly staff, the "elbow room" of a large campground and the impressive view of Lake Catherine.

Absolutely loved it. Will return when I can.
Written September 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bcasey1
Plant City, FL1,665 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021 • Couples
Nice afternoon drive through the park after visiting Hot Springs National Park. Pretty stops for photo opportunities. We liked the lake, and seeing the hisyoric springs that are said to heal different ailments.
Written April 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

saschamc
Memphis, TN184 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
my hubby and I came for a weekend getaway the day after Thanksgiving. We rented cabin 12, which is a 1 bedroom and dog friendly. We brought our Blue Heeler.
The cabin was great. It was very well stocked and we had everything we needed. It was very clean and the bathroom and living room were very spacious. Awesome big shower with excellent water pressure and plenty of hot water. The deck was very close to the lake and we really enjoyed the view and the quiet.
We did the Falls trail. It was well marked and the dog had a blast. The falls were really roaring, since it had just rained, so that was cool. Trails were all well marked and it was definitely moderate, not easy, just like the sign said. We did the Strunger Creek trail before we left too, and it was paved, level, and easy. We had a great time. There’s no restaurants or stores close, but we went to a Walmart Neighborhood Market and it was only 20 minutes away. Downtown Hot Springs was about 25 minutes away. I saw deer every night, right off our porch, and along the hiking trail, so would definitely recommend keeping your dogs on leash! It was a nice time and a pretty place. We would definitely come back.
Written November 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cheryl677
Crown Point, Indiana287 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021
Wonderful State Park that had a wonderful trails one to a beautiful water fall that you can take a dip in. It was a nice lake were you can swim, fish or rent a boat or bring your own. there are cabins to stay in or you can camp. some camp sites are right on the lake with there own pier. Others are in a nice woods. Great place to spend the weekend or even a few more days.
Written May 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mary
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Couples
We loved the cabin. It was adorable. We had a fire every night. The host delivers a bundle of wood to your door every afternoon. It was a bummer to lake was low because the personal dock was not usable. We stayed in cabin #4 which is pet friendly so we brought our dog. They had a dog bed and milk bones for her! It was so beautiful and peace. We had a lovely time.
Written March 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cryptic_Tourist
Saint Louis, MO742 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021 • Family
So glad my friend and I finally got to go hiking here! We did the Falls trail and loved it. We got there early in the morning on a Saturday and did not see anyone else out on the trail. To be fair, it was supposed to storm so we didn’t think we would see many people. The rocks were wet from the rain the day before but it trail was still in excellent condition - not muddy at all really.

We encountered a LOT of spiders near the creek but once we passed that, not too bad. The waterfall was very pretty but honestly most of the hike was gorgeous including the lake. Would love to do more hikes in this area.
Written October 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Lake Catherine State Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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