Arkansas Highway 128: Hot Springs to Red Oak

Join us for a brief but pleasant drive along Carpenter Dam Road, officially designated as Arkansas Highway 128, as we cruise westward from the bustling city of Hot Springs to the small community of Red Oak. Spanning just about three and a half miles, this stretch might be short, but it packs in some charming scenery and offers a quick transition from city streets to the peaceful outskirts south of Lake Hamilton.

We kick off our drive at the intersection with U.S. Highway 270 in southeastern Hot Springs. Carpenter Dam Road doubles as Highway 128 here and is a familiar connector for locals heading toward the quieter residential pockets along the southern shore of the Ouachita River and Lake Hamilton. As we roll south from 270, the road maintains a well-kept two-lane profile, lined with a mix of local businesses and homes that gradually thin out the farther we get from the city center. This part of Hot Springs is popular with folks looking for quick access to the water or for a scenic cut-through when traffic on Central Avenue backs up during tourist season.

Crossing the Ouachita River is perhaps the highlight of this short jaunt. Carpenter Dam itself sits just west of our crossing point, so keep an eye out if you want to detour for a quick photo or enjoy some riverside fishing or paddling. Once over the bridge, the road gently curves and climbs through lightly wooded stretches, and you’ll spot hints of lake life peeking through the trees — docks, cabin drives, and the occasional glimpse of boaters on Lake Hamilton on a sunny day. It’s a pretty slice of the Ouachita foothills that reminds us why so many folks come to Hot Springs for a peaceful retreat.

In less than four miles, we arrive at Red Oak — more of a lakeside neighborhood than a proper town — where Carpenter Dam Road intersects with Arkansas Highway 290. If you’re up for extending your adventure, turning east on AR-290 will swing you right back toward Diamondhead and Lake Catherine State Park, both worthy stops for a picnic or a quiet hike along the water’s edge. Whether you’re commuting, chasing a sunset over the lake, or just exploring the scenic back roads around Hot Springs, this little stretch of AR-128 makes for a pleasant detour off the busier highways.