Established as a resort and retirement village, Fairfield Bay is full of weekend retreat opportunities featuring condos, luxury residences and lodgings with resort-style amenities.
Here are 10 reasons Fairfield Bay is a perfect family recreation destination for all ages and is certainly worth the drive.
1.Sugar Loaf Mountain
Getting to Sugar Loaf Mountain in the middle of Greers Ferry Lake is half the fun via a shuttle from Fairfield Bay Marina. Then take the short trek (1.6 miles roundtrip) to the high point for panoramic views. Another trail circles the base of the mountaintop. Along Arkansas’s first designated National Scenic Trail, you’ll see wildlife, bluff formations and native flora and fauna. A series of wooden stairs at the southern end leads to the top for amazing vistas from 500 feet above the surface area of the lake.
2. Greers Ferry Lake
This 40,000-acre lake, formed by Greers Ferry Dam, was completed in July 1964. Both were dedicated by President John F. Kennedy in one of his last public appearances before the fateful trip to Dallas. Greers Ferry Lake is noted for its pristine shoreline of rock outcroppings, trees and wildlife, and deep crystal clear waters for boating, fishing and scuba diving. Excellent camping and hiking facilities are available.
3. Fairfield Bay Marina
If you’re looking to play in the water, this marina has a toy for you: kayaks, pedal boats, stand-up paddle boards, Eclipse SUPs, pontoon boats, ski boats, jet skis, tubes, kneeboards, wakeboards, fishing boats and more. In addition to the shuttles to Sugar Loaf Mountain that are offered year-round, the marina offers scenic cruises aboard The Belle of the Bay. Enjoy a two-hour narrated cruise in the climate-controlled boat. Passengers are seated at tables and chairs inside and are welcome to bring food and drink or pick up a snack at the marina. Call 501-884-6030 for rentals, shuttle service or to reserve a spot on a cruise.
4. Fishing
Every type of game fish native to the state has been stocked in Greers Ferry Lake by the Arkansas Game & 
Fish Commission, but Greers Ferry is known for walleye and striped bass. The Little Red River that runs out of Greers Ferry Lake offers additional challenges for rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout. The river and the lake are stocked from a fish hatchery located just below the dam. Fishing guide services are available for both lake and river.
5. Indian Rock House Cave
Nestled under a hillside and beside a golf course green at Indian Hills Country Club, this natural sandstone grotto was home to Native Americans. Today, it’s a cool place to explore and see petroglyphs. Historians say many of the petroglyphs were made during the difficult winter of 1776, when the cave was used as a refuge during 16 days of freezing weather. Large groups encamped there, including Quapaw, Osage, Cherokee, Shawnee and Delaware nations. The cave opening is 100 feet across. The ceiling is 50 feet high and the cave is 97 feet deep. Just follow the wooden stairs from the Old Log Cabin to get there.
6. Old Log Cabin and Museum
Providing a glimpse back in time to home life in the late 1800s, the cabin features a variety of tools and household items, as well as clothing and toys, a loom and a yarn winder. Additional contents include antique jewelry and furniture, taxidermied local birds and animal specimens, a colonial American flag and more. The cabin, which dates to mid-1850, was dismantled elsewhere and reconstructed on this site. Admission is free.
7. Golf
Two 18-hole golf courses, Indian Hills Course and Mountain Ranch Course, challenge you to play. There is also a new foot golf course, where you kick soccer balls to giant holes on the golf course. Miniature golf and disc golf round out the fun.
8. Tennis
Bring your own equipment or rent some rackets and hit one of the eight championship tennis courts.
9. Parks and pools
Three resort-style pools and a spray pool are available throughout the resort community. Plus, parks offer shuffleboard, volleyball, basketball, picnic pavilions and grills and horseshoes.
10. Extras
As if that weren’t enough, you can feed the fish and take your picture with your head sticking through the Fish Feeding Frenzy sign at the marina. A fitness center, library, country club with casual and formal dining, conference center and art gallery also can be found in Fairfield Bay.
Popular events take place throughout the year here. Among the upcoming events are the Paddle Battle at the Bay, featuring canoe and kayak races set for Sept 16 at the Fairfield Bay Marina, and the popular Oktoberfest and StoryFest on Oct. 7 at the Fairfield Bay Conference Center. Other events include: Bloomin’ in the Bay (April), Surf the Bay (June), 4th of July, other fall festivals, holiday festivals and music, plays and more at the outdoor amphitheater. Located 75 miles north of Little Rock, the Bay is along Arkansas 16, east of Clinton. Find more information online at VisitFairfieldBay.com.
Jill Rohrbach is a travel writer for the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. You can read her blog and those of other department travel writers at arkansas.com.