Oak Grove Swim Beach
De Queen, Arkansas · Dequeen Recreation Area
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $23
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Oak Grove Swim Beach
Oak Grove Swim Beach is a designated Army Corps of Engineers swimming area on DeQueen Lake, a Corps-managed flood-control reservoir near De Queen, Arkansas, within the Oak Grove Campground and Day Use recreation area. It sits alongside a 36-site campground and requires a day-use pass covering boat launch and swim beach access.
The swim beach is part of the Oak Grove Recreation Area on the shore of DeQueen Lake, an 8,700-acre reservoir with 32 miles of shoreline created by a dam completed in 1977 on the Rolling Fork River in southwest Arkansas. The surrounding area includes campsites, a boat launch, a group picnic shelter, and a nearby 3-plus mile IMBA-standard hiking/biking trail at Pine Ridge Park.
Swimming at Oak Grove Swim Beach
Swimming takes place at a designated, fee-covered swim beach on the shore of a large Corps of Engineers reservoir rather than a river or creek swimming hole. The official listing recommends life jackets for water activities, suiting it to families and campers looking for lake swimming alongside boating, fishing, and jet skiing rather than a wilderness or hike-in experience.
How to get to this swimming hole
From De Queen, Arkansas, take Highway 71 north approximately 3 miles, then turn west on DeQueen Lake Road and continue about 5.3 miles to the Oak Grove Campground and Day Use area at 612 Rink Rd.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the swim beach itself; it sits directly off the Oak Grove Campground/Day Use area on DeQueen Lake's shoreline. A separate 3+ mile IMBA-standard hiking/biking trail exists at nearby Pine Ridge Park, but it is a standalone recreation feature, not the access route to the swim beach.
Walk from the day-use parking area to the beach is short (drive-up access), consistent with a developed Corps of Engineers swim beach.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
It is a designated Corps of Engineers swim beach on a reservoir shared with boat ramps, kayaking, and jet skiing, and the official listing recommends life jackets for water activities; no lifeguard service is mentioned in official materials, and the area carries a year-round flooding-hazard advisory, so young children should be watched closely given boat traffic and open-water conditions rather than a contained kiddie pool setting.
Parking
Paid
Swim beach access is bundled into the Oak Grove Day Use Activity Pass (one date, one vehicle), which also covers the boat launch; the pass system implies a developed day-use parking area rather than roadside pullouts, but the exact dollar cost of the pass was not found in official listings during this pass.
Restrooms
Yes
Flush toilets, showers, and drinking water are provided at the adjoining Oak Grove Campground/Day Use area per the official Recreation.gov listing.
On the water
Recreation.gov lists boating, kayaking, and jet skiing among the activities available at Oak Grove/DeQueen Lake, with several boat ramps provided for campers; life jackets are recommended for all water activities. No specific no-wake or electric-only zone restriction was found for this swim beach area in official sources checked.
Backstory
DeQueen Lake was created by a dam completed in 1977 on the Rolling Fork River, built by the US Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and water supply purposes.
Oak Grove Swim Beach: FAQ
Does Oak Grove Swim Beach charge a fee?
A day-use pass (Oak Grove Day Use Activity Pass, valid for one date and one vehicle) covers boat launch and swim beach access; camping at the adjoining Oak Grove Campground runs $23-$40 per night.
Is Oak Grove Swim Beach kid friendly?
It is a designated Corps of Engineers swim beach on a reservoir shared with boat ramps, kayaking, and jet skiing, and the official listing recommends life jackets for water activities; no lifeguard service is mentioned in official materials, and the area carries a year-round flooding-hazard advisory, so young children should be watched closely given boat traffic and open-water conditions rather than a contained kiddie pool setting.
Do I need to hike to reach Oak Grove Swim Beach?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Oak Grove Swim Beach?
Swim beach access is bundled into the Oak Grove Day Use Activity Pass (one date, one vehicle), which also covers the boat launch; the pass system implies a developed day-use parking area rather than roadside pullouts, but the exact dollar cost of the pass was not found in official listings during this pass.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Oak Grove Swim Beach?
Recreation.gov lists boating, kayaking, and jet skiing among the activities available at Oak Grove/DeQueen Lake, with several boat ramps provided for campers; life jackets are recommended for all water activities. No specific no-wake or electric-only zone restriction was found for this swim beach area in official sources checked.
What are the rules at Oak Grove Swim Beach?
Life jackets are recommended for water activities; ATVs/UTVs are prohibited; campground quiet hours run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with 5 p.m. checkout for campers.
