Rugged mountain trails. Awe-inspiring vistas. Comfortable resorts. Rustic campsites. Sparkling lakes. Real diamonds.

These attractions are among the many reasons vacationers return to the Hot Springs area Ouachita (Washitaw) Mountain region year after year. They come to hike the nature trails of Hot Springs National Park and enjoy the vistas from the mountaintops in the rugged backcountry of the Ouachita National Forest. They also come to be pampered at the luxury hotels and famous thermal baths of the resort city of Hot Springs.

Five crystal clear lakes, known as the "Diamond Lakes," lure tourists who love water and beautiful scenery. The largest, Lake Ouachita, offers a wilderness experience combined with the amenities of full-service resorts. Luxury houseboat rentals are available at DeGray Lake and Lake Ouachita. And at many locations, you can enjoy a round of golf after you've finished a morning fishing excursion. Rockhounds will also find themselves right at home at an unusual "crater" where you can search for real diamonds and keep any you find, or find quality quartz crystals at one of the mines found in the region.