Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville
4.5
About
Full tackle shop with boat and bike rentals. Visit the website for more information.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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  • Alex .
    Nashville, Tennessee176 contributions
    Rented some bikes and enjoyed the sunny day
    We rented bikes from the marina. The mom seems like she can't do more than one thing at a time. We had to wait like 20 minutes after paying for the bikes before actually receiving the bikes. The son, who seems to truly run the place, was great. Friendly, professional, and obviously knows his bikes. We rented for 2 hours so we could take a leisurely ride around the lake. WOW, I'm glad we did, because I'm way more out of shape that I thought. I needed to take several breaks, especially on the steep parts. But it was still fun! Beautiful area, well kept paths. If we lived in the area, it would 100% be a regular place for us to go. They also offer boat rentals, which I'm sure are fun, too!
    Visited October 2020
    Written October 14, 2020
  • humblertraveler
    87 contributions
    Beautiful Even in the Winter
    My husband and I walked the lake on a breezy winter day and it is still a beautiful place even in the winter. It’s over 5 miles around and a has a great walking/ running and biking trail all around it. I use it to train as well and have had many encounters with deer and blue birds. It has enough hills to add a little challenge. One of my go to places .
    Visited January 2020
    Traveled as a couple
    Written January 19, 2020
  • Trip756666
    3 contributions
    Great Lake and park hikes. Trails and Maps poorly marked.
    We had a great hike and the park is beautiful. It has disk golf, boating and fishing, as well. I’d give it a 5, if the maps were clear. We had to ask a local to tell us where the off road nature trail was, because the map boards are unclear. The map by the entrance where we parked shows all the parking and entrances, but no “You are here” icon or arrow. So, we walked along the paved trail, until we had passed another map board and decided we better ask. I’m an Army officer and I can read a map. Trails could be much, much better marked, as well. I’m sorry to even complain, because the visit was great.
    Visited October 2020
    Written October 5, 2020
  • WestTN
    Jackson, Tennessee262 contributions
    Very nice bike trail and connects to Razorback Greenway
    I've rode on this trail a handful of times while visiting the area. Biking clockwise is a bit easier for those just starting out. There is a waterfall and several bridges to cross. There are scooter and bike rentals nearby of needed. It is a scenic and enjoyable ride.
    Visited May 2021
    Traveled with family
    Written May 29, 2021
  • KP
    Fayetteville, Arkansas201 contributions
    Beautiful Park and Trails with So Much to See
    Veteran's Park / Lake Fayetteville is our go-to family spot on a beautiful day! We typically park and unload our bikes at the parking lot by the sand volleyball courts off of Zion Road. We ride west for a minute and then north down the trail toward the bridge. Our teens and tweens like to stop on the big bridge and climb down under it looking for lizards in the rocks on the north side and watching the ducks on the south side. We then ride toward the lake... and ride alongside it... always beautiful and sparkling! Sometimes, the kids will want to veer off to the northwest side and play at the baseball fields. Sometimes, we'll veer northeast and check out the ducks and fish at the boatdock. Continuing from the dock, we ride northeast until the kids are tired and then loop back. There is a little "bike obstacle course" in that area of the park... and a great frisbee golf course. If we are there around lunch, we'll hit the food trucks that are just northwest of the baseball fields. GREAT chicken pad thai at the chinese truck and amazing authentic tamales at the mexican truck. Amazing way to spend a day in Fayetteville! Lake Fayetteville is such a treasure!
    Visited February 2017
    Traveled with family
    Written March 1, 2017
  • elle_travels
    Fayetteville, Arkansas39 contributions
    Something for the whole family
    My family of 4, 2 children ages 7 & 10, frequent the lake. There is a paved multi-use trail all the way around the lake, approx 5.5 miles. Restroom are generally clean. Weekends on the trail can get crowded. Veterans Park is on the south side of the lake. There are 2 pavilions, restrooms, sand volleyball courts, and a playground. On the west side of the lake by the dam are softball fields, restrooms, and a playground. The north side of the lake has a disk golf area and swing sets. The Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks are located on the east side of the lake.
    Visited July 2013
    Written July 13, 2013
  • SonnyHarley2
    15 contributions
    Anniversary trip
    We walked the 5+ mile loop partly using the rugged trail by the lake and then the paved trail. Very serene and pleasant scenery. If you are planning on going to botanical gardens make sure and go in entrance. We walked behind it and thought it. Was closed. Lots of benches along the way to rest or people watch.
    Visited May 2018
    Traveled as a couple
    Written May 11, 2018
  • bobshot
    Hong Kong, China410 contributions
    Well maintained and big
    They don't have a playground for kids, which is great, because I don't want to be around kids, and even if they did have a playground, the park is huge and easy to get away on your own. The disc golf course is great and maintained well. The bike/running track around the lake is great. They should put in one more bathroom and water fountain in the back of disc golf area. It's freaking hot outside, man!
    Visited July 2015
    Written July 31, 2015
  • holliday50
    Fayetteville, Arkansas83 contributions
    Great Trails, Good Fishing
    Lake Fayetteville has really come a long way over the years. I frequently ride the mountain bike single track loop, which is about 7.25 miles or so. It's a great track, but has a couple of spots that just don't dry out. Also, it can get crowded here at times, and there is no "right" direction, meaning if you're flying around clockwise or counterclockwise, expect to meet traffic coming straight at you. This can be a safety hazard in some areas of the track where visibility is low, so keep that in mind. You will also encounter runners with ear buds on that can't hear you coming. The paved area is really nice as well, and will get more crowded than the single track with people walking, jogging, cycling, walking their dogs, etc. The lake also has pretty decent fishing. Bank fisherman are found fishing from the docks on the North side near where you check in or along the dam. There is a boat ramp for boat anglers, keeping in mind this is a no-wake lake, making this a really nice kayak fishing lake. You can catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, or even white bass. Be aware though, that there is a fee if you want to fish, so you have to check in at the office and sign in. I think it's around $7 for the day. Also, this is a city owned lake, and has operating hours, so you have to be out of the lake before they lock it up, which is usually around sunset. Because of this rule, there is no night fishing here. Lake Fayetteville also has a frisbee golf course on the North side. I know very little about it, but didn't see it mentioned elsewhere. On the South side are a couple of beach volleyball courts that can be reserved as well. I've played on these a few times, and they are really nice courts. Next to those, you have nice bathroom facilities, and grills & picnic tables.
    Visited May 2013
    Traveled with family
    Written May 28, 2013
  • Cameron M
    Mobile, Alabama746 contributions
    Nice oasis in the middle of the metro area
    We paddled around most of the perimeter. Very pleasant wooded shores make it completely non-obvious that you're in the middle of the city, maybe just a little traffic noise. A very nice amenity for the locals. Only electric and paddle craft allowed on the water, and no swimming. We saw lots of little fish and some big ones in the snags. Turtles and birds too. We put in at the NW corner near the rental shop. We're visiting from out of town and the staff there courteously explained the permitting restrictions on the lake. It would be nice for the paddling dock to run out a little further beyond the weeds.
    Visited May 2023
    Written June 2, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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WestTN
Jackson, TN262 contributions
May 2021 • Family
I've rode on this trail a handful of times while visiting the area. Biking clockwise is a bit easier for those just starting out. There is a waterfall and several bridges to cross. There are scooter and bike rentals nearby of needed. It is a scenic and enjoyable ride.
Written May 29, 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.

KP
Fayetteville, AR201 contributions
Feb 2017 • Family
Veteran's Park / Lake Fayetteville is our go-to family spot on a beautiful day! We typically park and unload our bikes at the parking lot by the sand volleyball courts off of Zion Road. We ride west for a minute and then north down the trail toward the bridge. Our teens and tweens like to stop on the big bridge and climb down under it looking for lizards in the rocks on the north side and watching the ducks on the south side. We then ride toward the lake... and ride alongside it... always beautiful and sparkling! Sometimes, the kids will want to veer off to the northwest side and play at the baseball fields. Sometimes, we'll veer northeast and check out the ducks and fish at the boatdock. Continuing from the dock, we ride northeast until the kids are tired and then loop back. There is a little "bike obstacle course" in that area of the park... and a great frisbee golf course. If we are there around lunch, we'll hit the food trucks that are just northwest of the baseball fields. GREAT chicken pad thai at the chinese truck and amazing authentic tamales at the mexican truck. Amazing way to spend a day in Fayetteville! Lake Fayetteville is such a treasure!
Written March 1, 2017
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.

elle_travels
Fayetteville, AR39 contributions
Jul 2013
My family of 4, 2 children ages 7 & 10, frequent the lake. There is a paved multi-use trail all the way around the lake, approx 5.5 miles. Restroom are generally clean. Weekends on the trail can get crowded.

Veterans Park is on the south side of the lake. There are 2 pavilions, restrooms, sand volleyball courts, and a playground.

On the west side of the lake by the dam are softball fields, restrooms, and a playground.

The north side of the lake has a disk golf area and swing sets.

The Botanical Gardens of the Ozarks are located on the east side of the lake.
Written July 13, 2013
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.

SonnyHarley2
15 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We walked the 5+ mile loop partly using the rugged trail by the lake and then the paved trail. Very serene and pleasant scenery. If you are planning on going to botanical gardens make sure and go in entrance. We walked behind it and thought it. Was closed. Lots of benches along the way to rest or people watch.
Written May 11, 2018
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.

bobshot
Hong Kong, China410 contributions
Jul 2015
They don't have a playground for kids, which is great, because I don't want to be around kids, and even if they did have a playground, the park is huge and easy to get away on your own. The disc golf course is great and maintained well. The bike/running track around the lake is great. They should put in one more bathroom and water fountain in the back of disc golf area. It's freaking hot outside, man!
Written July 31, 2015
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.

holliday50
Fayetteville, AR83 contributions
May 2013 • Family
Lake Fayetteville has really come a long way over the years. I frequently ride the mountain bike single track loop, which is about 7.25 miles or so. It's a great track, but has a couple of spots that just don't dry out. Also, it can get crowded here at times, and there is no "right" direction, meaning if you're flying around clockwise or counterclockwise, expect to meet traffic coming straight at you. This can be a safety hazard in some areas of the track where visibility is low, so keep that in mind. You will also encounter runners with ear buds on that can't hear you coming. The paved area is really nice as well, and will get more crowded than the single track with people walking, jogging, cycling, walking their dogs, etc.

The lake also has pretty decent fishing. Bank fisherman are found fishing from the docks on the North side near where you check in or along the dam. There is a boat ramp for boat anglers, keeping in mind this is a no-wake lake, making this a really nice kayak fishing lake. You can catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, or even white bass. Be aware though, that there is a fee if you want to fish, so you have to check in at the office and sign in. I think it's around $7 for the day. Also, this is a city owned lake, and has operating hours, so you have to be out of the lake before they lock it up, which is usually around sunset. Because of this rule, there is no night fishing here.

Lake Fayetteville also has a frisbee golf course on the North side. I know very little about it, but didn't see it mentioned elsewhere. On the South side are a couple of beach volleyball courts that can be reserved as well. I've played on these a few times, and they are really nice courts. Next to those, you have nice bathroom facilities, and grills & picnic tables.
Written May 28, 2013
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.

Cameron M
Mobile, AL746 contributions
May 2023
We paddled around most of the perimeter. Very pleasant wooded shores make it completely non-obvious that you're in the middle of the city, maybe just a little traffic noise. A very nice amenity for the locals. Only electric and paddle craft allowed on the water, and no swimming. We saw lots of little fish and some big ones in the snags. Turtles and birds too.
We put in at the NW corner near the rental shop. We're visiting from out of town and the staff there courteously explained the permitting restrictions on the lake. It would be nice for the paddling dock to run out a little further beyond the weeds.
Written June 2, 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.

renwilson
Fayetteville, AR130 contributions
Aug 2020
Visited the lake which has a walking/bike path with a nice view of the water. There is also boat pedal and kayak rentals, docking areas for fishing and boating. Very good location.
Written August 14, 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.

bermane
Fayetteville, AR50 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
One of the nicest walks in Fayetteville or anywhere. 5 1/2 miles around for walkers and cyclists, on an asphalt trail or out on the soil nearer to nature.
Eating places nearby but not intruding. At the Veteran's Park entrance, there's a nice beer garden and some other places close, sports facilities. Up by the Mall, there are eating trailers and full parking. There's even a Frisbee golf course along the way! All very bucolic, little geographical challenge, but nice woodsy to open fields. What a lucky, lucky part of the country!
A lovely start to the walk is the fine Botanical Garden--park there, start walking or cycling there, then come back and visit the plants and trees.
Oh, and then there's the lake. . . .
Written August 29, 2016
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.

dkgsol
Springdale, AR6 contributions
May 2015
Beautiful lake for bike ridding, trail ridding, running or walking. Nature trails throughout. Paved trail around lake.
Written July 7, 2015
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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