Boating on Greers Ferry Lake

The Lake for Boaters

Greers Ferry Lake's 40,500 acres across two connected pools gives boaters meaningful room to operate. The south pool -- the larger of the two sections -- extends southeast from the Narrows toward Heber Springs and the dam. The north pool runs northwest from the Narrows toward Fairfield Bay. Between them, the Narrows provides the connecting channel, marked by the Highway 16 bridge that serves as the informal dividing landmark between the two pools.

There are no horsepower restrictions and no speed limits on open water on Greers Ferry Lake beyond standard Arkansas boating law requirements (no wake within 150 feet of a shoreline, dock, or anchored vessel). Jet skis and personal watercraft are permitted. Houseboats are permitted. Wake sports -- wakeboarding, wakesurfing, skiing -- are popular in many of the lake's coves. The 340 miles of shoreline means there are plenty of quiet coves for those seeking a less active experience.

Marinas and Services

Fairfield Bay Marina (Premier Marina): Located on the north shore in Fairfield Bay, this is the lake's largest marina with over 400 slips. It serves as the departure point for the water taxi to Sugar Loaf Mountain Island. The marina has boat rentals (including pontoon boats, fishing boats, kayaks, and wakeboards), fuel docks, a ship's store, and the Fairfield Bay municipal campground adjacent to the facilities. Contact through the City of Fairfield Bay.

Lacey's Narrows Marina: 501-825-6214, located at Highway 16 and the Narrows Bridge in Greers Ferry. This is the Narrows area's primary service point, well-positioned for both pool access. Jet Ski rentals, powerboat rentals, fuel, and supplies.

Shiloh Marina: 501-825-6237, 1350 Shiloh Road, Greers Ferry. One of the north shore's established marinas on the north pool.

Eden Isle Marina / Heber Springs Marina: Located on the south pool near Eden Isle and the Heber Springs shore. Access to the dam-side waters and proximity to the Red Apple Inn. The Eden Isle Marina boat ramp is located at Yacht Harbor Road.

Heart of the Lake Boat Service: Listed locally as a service and repair facility for the central lake area.

Public Boat Ramps

The USACE operates a network of public boat ramps around the lake through its 18 managed recreation parks. Key ramps include:

• Cove Creek Park -- 734 Cove Creek Road, Quitman, AR (call 501-362-2416 for conditions)
• Heber Springs Recreation Area -- on the south shore, Park Road, Heber Springs
• Devils Fork Park -- on the south pool east arm; one of several Corps parks with ramps
• Sugar Loaf Park -- north side, near the island; ramp access for Sugar Loaf visitors

During low-water events, some individual ramps may be closed. The Corps posts ramp closure notices on their Facebook page (facebook.com/littlerockusace) in near-real time. Check before trailering your boat during drought conditions or after news of low pool announcements.

Navigating the Narrows

The Narrows is simultaneously one of the lake's most photogenic stretches and its most congested. First-time boaters on Greers Ferry often underestimate how narrow this gorge passage actually is -- the channel here is significantly tighter than on either the north or south pool, and it carries all of the traffic moving between the two major sections of the lake.

Speed in the Narrows should be reduced well below open-water speed. The rocky walls, the concentration of boat traffic, and the presence of kayakers, canoeists, and cliff divers in the gorge area all demand caution. During summer weekends, traffic through the Narrows can back up with boats waiting to transit in both directions. The no-wake requirement within 150 feet of the shoreline effectively applies through most of the Narrows passage.

The Highway 16 Narrows Bridge has clearance for most recreational boats without mast-type structures. Sailboats and very tall covered boats should verify clearance before attempting the transit.

Rock and Shoal Awareness

Greers Ferry Lake's clear water is a double-edged advantage for boaters. Visibility is excellent -- you can often see the bottom in 15 or more feet of water. That visibility can create false confidence about depth. The Ozark geology produces dramatic shoaling in many cove entrances, where underwater rock formations come up sharply from deep water. During low-pool conditions, these hazards become more pronounced.

The Corps' September 2024 low-water advisory specifically warned about land points, tree stumps, rock formations, and standing timber as submerged navigation hazards visible when the lake is below normal conservation pool. First-time boaters on unfamiliar coves should run at slow speed and use electronics to verify depth -- don't assume that visual clarity of water equals clearance for your hull and propeller.

Sugar Loaf Mountain Island is a navigational landmark visible from most of the lake. The island has shoreline that is accessible by water taxi from the Fairfield Bay Marina (the island has no road access). Boaters who anchor near the island should be aware of the swimming and hiking activity at the base of the trail -- the island sees significant foot traffic on summer weekends.