The Best Boat Rentals in Arkansas

For most lakes in Arkansas, plan on about $350–$700 for a full day on a pontoon or tritoon, with half-day rates often $300–$450. Wake and ski boats generally run $600–$900 per day, while captained sightseeing cruises on Lake Hamilton or similar run $150–$200 per hour with minimums. Personal watercraft usually land around $300–$500 per day. These prices commonly exclude tax and fuel and may be higher on holiday weekends. Rentals typically include U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jackets for your group, basic safety gear, an anchor, lines, and a quick dockside orientation. Tow toys, floating mats, and similar add-ons are often available for an extra fee, and a refundable damage deposit is standard.

You’ll find roomy pontoons and tritoons for relaxed cruising and tubing, deck and bowrider boats for touring and swimming, dedicated wake and ski boats for watersports, and fishing rigs for chasing bass and stripers. On larger lakes like Lake Ouachita and Greers Ferry, houseboats and larger party barges are also available for multi-day trips. Captained tour boats operate on popular waters such as Lake Hamilton if you prefer to just show up and enjoy.

Arkansas requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1986 to carry a boater education card when operating a motorboat. Operators must be of legal operating age; as a rule of thumb, you need to be at least 12 to operate a motorboat of 10 horsepower or more (with specific supervision rules for minors), and at least 16 to operate a personal watercraft on your own. Arkansas recognizes NASBLA-approved boater cards from other states, so visitors are covered. If you don’t meet the requirements—or simply prefer to relax—book a captained charter.

Common launch points include Hot Springs’ Lake Hamilton marinas, plus Lake Ouachita access at Mountain Harbor Marina and Crystal Springs Marina Village west of town. In northwest Arkansas, Beaver Lake departures are popular from Prairie Creek Marina near Rogers. On Greers Ferry Lake around Heber Springs and Fairfield Bay, Dam Site Marina and Fairfield Bay Marina are frequent starting points. In central Arkansas, Arkansas River outings often stage from Rockwater Marina near downtown Little Rock/North Little Rock. Your booking confirmation will specify the exact dock and parking details.

Expect classic Ozark and Ouachita scenery: pine-clad shorelines, quiet coves, and tall limestone bluffs on Beaver Lake. Lake Ouachita is famous for its clear water and dozens of forested islands, while Greers Ferry Lake offers views of Sugar Loaf Mountain Island rising from the water. On the Arkansas River through Little Rock, you’ll cruise past the skyline and landmark bridges like the Big Dam Bridge, Junction Bridge, and the Clinton Presidential Park Bridge. Sunset and fireworks cruises on Lake Hamilton are a summer highlight.

Both options are easy to arrange. Many lake rentals are self-operated after a brief safety walkthrough, while captained charters are widely available for sightseeing, sunset cruises, or special occasions. Captained trips are great if your group wants to BYO food and drinks, avoid the responsibility of driving, or celebrate without worrying about who’s at the helm. If you plan to pull tubes or try wakesurfing, confirm whether your charter allows towing sports.

Yes—families are welcome. Every rental includes life jackets sized for adults and kids, and Arkansas law requires children 12 and under to wear a properly fitted life jacket while on the water. Operators provide a safety briefing before you depart. To make boarding smoother, share kids’ approximate weights or ages when booking so the right sizes are ready. Strollers and car seats typically stay on shore; bring sun protection and snacks instead.

Most rentals allow you to bring coolers with snacks and drinks. Glass is often discouraged or not allowed on deck, and grills are commonly prohibited on rental boats. Passengers may drink responsibly, but the operator must remain sober—Arkansas enforces boating under the influence laws. If you want to fully relax, a captained charter is the easiest way to enjoy a celebratory spread worry-free.

Pet policies vary by boat and marina. Some operators on Lake Hamilton and Lake Ouachita welcome well-behaved dogs, sometimes with a modest pet fee, while others do not allow pets on certain vessels. If you plan to bring a dog, select a pet-friendly listing and bring a leash, water bowl, and a towel for wet paws. Keep pets off upholstery and out of swim ladders for safety.

Summer boating in Arkansas is generally calm in the mornings with a chance of brief pop-up storms in the afternoon. If lightning, high winds, or unsafe conditions are forecast, most operators will delay, reschedule, or issue a rain check at their discretion. Standard cancellation windows range from 48 hours to a week or more before your rental, with stricter policies on holiday weekends. Review the policy when you book and plan to arrive 20–30 minutes early in case weather windows shift.

Absolutely. Pontoons and party barges comfortably fit 10–12 guests on most lakes, and you can add tubes or floating mats for fun. For a no-stress celebration, book a captained cruise on Lake Hamilton for a sunset spin, plan a day of coves and swimming on Lake Ouachita, or cruise the Little Rock skyline on the Arkansas River. Confirm your final headcount and any decorating or music preferences in advance, and expect peak-season weekend slots to book out early.

Peak boating season runs from late May through early September, with Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day being the busiest holiday weekends. Notable summer draws include Lake Hamilton’s fireworks shows (Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day) and Heber Springs’ World Championship Cardboard Boat Races on Greers Ferry Lake in early July. For smoother water and easier parking, choose weekdays or mornings. Shoulder months like late April, early May, and late September into October can bring pleasant temps, fewer crowds, and colorful foliage—just pack layers for cooler mornings and evenings.

If you’re near Hot Springs, take a relaxed loop on Lake Hamilton past the Highway 7 bridges and quiet coves, or head to Lake Ouachita for island-hopping and swimming in clear water. In north-central Arkansas, cruise Greers Ferry to Sugar Loaf Mountain Island for photos from the boat or a shuttle-to-hike combo. In northwest Arkansas, Beaver Lake’s tall bluffs and wide-open coves make an easy half-day itinerary. In Little Rock, an evening Arkansas River cruise for skyline and bridge views is a crowd-pleaser.

Yes. In winter, DeGray Lake Resort State Park runs guided Eagle Watch Cruises where you can spot bald eagles and other migratory birds from a tour boat. In midsummer on Lake Ouachita, Bird Island hosts a spectacular purple martin roost at dusk for a brief window—best seen quietly from the water. And on the Fourth of July, anchoring on Lake Hamilton to watch the synchronized fireworks is a classic Arkansas boating tradition. If you’re visiting Greers Ferry in summer, consider pairing your lake day with the Sugar Loaf Mountain Island shuttle for a hike that starts and ends by boat.