On April 8, all eyes will be turned to the sky as the United States prepares for the 2024 total solar eclipse. The highly anticipated phenomenon will see the sun’s light hide, for a few moments, behind the moon — a rare aligning of the sun, moon, and Earth that’s attracting travelers to Dallas, Buffalo, and other spots along the eclipse’s path.

Hot Springs, Arkansas is one such spot — but the beauty of this scenic Southern town goes well beyond its view of the sky. In fact, we think Hot Springs is especially worth visiting after the eclipse travelers have returned home — when you can fully appreciate the splendor of its natural features, ranging from the natural hot springs (hence the name!) to beautiful lakes you can explore from the comfort of your Monterey Boat.

Just read on to learn more about the local terrain and a few fun on-the-water activities to discover while you’re there!

Discover A Natural Wonder

Even if you’re a boater visiting Hot Springs, you might find yourself curious about visiting the city’s namesake springs before hitting the water on your Monterey. After all, the region’s natural, geothermally heated springs have been revered for their storied healing properties for centuries.

Today, you can’t actually take a dip in the springs out in nature — though they are certainly beautiful to admire from land (more on that later). However, you can spend some time in the resort town’s Bathhouse Row, with historic buildings offering everything from hydrotherapy to pools and spa services that will help you recharge on your spring getaway.

Want to check out where the legendary water actually comes from? Be sure to pay a visit to Hot Springs National Park! Here, you can admire the park’s creeks and springs from your own two feet as you traverse local hiking paths and admire the lush greenery that abounds in the Ouachita Mountains.

Of course, if you can’t help but have cruising and water sports on your mind, the splendor of Hot Springs is but a calming appetizer to the main course that is Hot Springs’ collection of nearby lakes!

Explore The Water, Monterey Style

Indeed, there are several beautiful bodies of water that are barely a stone’s skip away from Hot Springs National Park — each with their own unique character and on-the-water activities to enjoy.

Here’s a closer look at a few of the local favorites. (As always, you’ll probably want to double check the boating rules and regulations before your visit so you know exactly where wake sports are allowed, and where it’s best to take it slow!)

Lake Hamilton: If ever there was a resort lake, it’s Lake Hamilton. A fun-loving spirit permeates the air here, providing boaters with dock-and-dine restaurants and a vibrant atmosphere that will help you get your boating adventure off to a splashing start.

Lake Catherine: Lake Catherine, too, is another lovely little lake in the Ouachita Mountain region — but it offers a more leisurely, back-to-nature environment for boaters who crave some serenity. Smaller offshoots of the lake provide beautiful hiking backdrops, where you can stretch your legs and observe stunning waterfalls and other well-loved landmarks. When you’re done for the day, cozy cabins abound for a charming overnight stay.

Lake Ouachita: When it comes to all of the beautiful lakes that Arkansas has to offer, you have your pick for the perfect afternoon on the water. With all that being said, of course, Lake Ouachita is undeniably the main attraction for local and visiting boaters alike — and for good reason, as you’ll soon discover. As the state’s largest lake, Lake Ouachita offers unparalleled room for every kind of water sport you can imagine — whether that’s wakeboarding, waterskiing, swimming, or simply cruising around the lake’s idyllic perimeter on your Monterey Boat. But it’s not just about space — of which there is a lot. Experienced divers might even enjoy taking a peek beneath the lake’s shimmering surface! After all, this body of water is consistently regarded as one of the cleanest lakes in the entire country.

Adding to the allure of Lake Ouachita is the sheer abundance of islands scattered about its surface — more than 200 of them in total, to be exact! Some are too small to house much more than a lonely tree or two; others boast stunning rock formations and verdant canopies that run right up to the surface, popping against the clear water for a nearly tropical effect — one that makes you feel like you’ve booked a trip to somewhere in the Caribbean, and not nestled among the mountains of the American South. Who knew such vibrant spring environs awaited here? You can hop aboard a canoe or kayak to get even closer to the islands’ rugged shorelines — but with 40,000 acres at your disposal, you’ll definitely be more than a little thankful for your Monterey Boat to help you cover as much of the enormous, inviting lake as possible.

As you can see, there’s no shortage of fun ways to experience Hot Springs and the surrounding area on your Monterey Boat — so gear up and explore! Be sure to share your splashing adventure with us on social media. We love to see the adventures our fleet gets to go on!