Benton Event Center
Event venue
2.7 mi
4.6 (526)
17322 I-30, Benton, AR 72019
Restroom
RiverAR
Benton
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan a Saline River outing near Benton with named access points, current closure checks, river-level resources and clear limits on bridge-entry information.
Water type
River
Access
Informal
Fee
No current fee schedule established for the legacy spot. Confirm charges at the specific access or outfitter you choose.
Best season
Plan around current river conditions, weather and access notices rather than a guaranteed summer swimming window
Nearby towns
Little Rock, Benton
Water body
Saline River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Little Rock, Benton
Access location not verified
34.6056, -92.6192
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Plan a Benton river day around a named access
The Saline River offers several access choices near Benton, but a bridge on a map is not automatically a public swimming entrance. This guide replaces the old informal Highway 5 parking instructions with the AGFC Saline River Water Trail. The retained map reference is not a verified water-entry pin.
Choose the access before choosing the route
AGFC lists paved parking and a launch at Lyle Park, limited widened-road parking at Peeler Bend, and gravel access at Saline Crossing. Use the linked directions for the access you actually select. Parking and a boat launch do not establish a designated swimming beach, restroom availability or step-free water entry.
Check closures and property boundaries
The current guide labels Cherry Demuth Access closed. Check the latest notice before making it part of an itinerary. Much of the river borders private property; do not treat a roadside gap or an informal path as permission to cross a riverbank. Confirm fees, services and swimming restrictions locally.
Read river conditions with the right limits
AGFC discusses swimming in the river corridor, but also warns about fast-changing flow, a low-water bridge and a water-plant spillway. Consult the USGS Benton station and local notices. Paddling guidance is not a guarantee of safe swimming, and attractive water does not verify depth or water quality. Stay clear of dams and spillways and skip water entry during high or rapidly rising flows.
Pack for the access you choose
Bring drinking water and confirm essential services before leaving. Arrange camping separately at an authorized campground. Exact-access gallery coverage is still needed: the saved Benton city match is not being used as a photograph of this bridge or any named launch.
Getting There
Choose a named access from the current AGFC Saline River Water Trail guide, such as Lyle Park, Peeler Bend or Saline Crossing, and use its linked directions. The old Highway 5 bridge instructions do not establish legal parking or a permitted swimming entrance. AGFC currently labels Cherry Demuth Access closed; check for changes before travel.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
This listing now provides regional Benton river planning, not verified access beneath the Highway 5 bridge. Riverbank ownership and entry permission must be checked at the chosen location; much of the river borders private property.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Truck Parking Club
Parking lot
2.9 mi
5 (1)
17900 I-30 Frontage Rd, Benton, AR 72019
Central Station Flea Market
Market
3.2 mi
4.4 (220)
1209 Military Rd, Benton, AR 72015
Restroom
Goat's Beard Bluff Natural Area
Hiking area
3.3 mi
5 (1)
H88W+Q8, Benton, AR 72019
Riverside Park Trail
Park
3.5 mi
4.7 (18)
805 22037-000, Benton, AR 72015
Picnic tablesPublic restroom
Rooster Toilets
Portable toilet supplier
3.9 mi
5 (36)
1218 River St, Benton, AR 72015
Benton Bike Park
Park
4.2 mi
4.8 (22)
1100 S Market St, Benton, AR 72015
Public restroomSkateboarding area
Oak Forest Village
RV park
4.4 mi
4.2 (74)
4107 Scott Salem Rd, Benton, AR 72019
Running water
Live Conditions Nearby
Checking nearby USGS water conditions…
Frequently Asked Questions About Benton
Where can I find named Saline River access near Benton?
The AGFC guide lists Lyle Park, Peeler Bend and Saline Crossing among its access points. Use each linked location and check current parking and water-entry restrictions.
Is Cherry Demuth Access open?
The AGFC page labels it currently closed at this review. Check the latest manager notice before planning to use it.
Does this map pin identify a verified swimming entrance?
No. It is a retained legacy reference. The old Highway 5 bridge instructions do not establish legal parking or permitted swimming entry.
Do AGFC paddling levels guarantee safe swimming?
No. Boating guidance is not a swimming-safety threshold. Conditions, depth, water quality, hazards and permission need separate checks.
Highlights
Named Benton-area river access options
Official river-level and closure resources
Separate planning for launch access and swimming
Unique Features
Saline River corridor with multiple distinct public access locations
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- AGFC identifies low-water bridge and spillway hazards and rapidly changing flow
- Its boating ranges are not swimming-safety thresholds
- Stay away from dams, spillways and floodwater; do not jump into unknown depth or assume clear-looking water is safe
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Benton’s historical significance as the county seat of Saline County adds depth to the area. The city’s origins date back to Arkansas’s early statehood years, and its proximity to Little Rock ties it to the broader history of the state.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
River views from permitted public areas. Saved city-level Benton match is not a verified photograph of the chosen water entry.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Use authorized access, respect private-property markings, remove litter and avoid disturbing riverbanks.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Plan around current river conditions, weather and access notices rather than a guaranteed summer swimming window.
Difficulty Level
Entry terrain and parking vary by access. No under-one-minute approach, all-ages suitability or accessible water entry is established.
Fee
No current fee schedule established for the legacy spot. Confirm charges at the specific access or outfitter you choose.
Facilities
Restrooms, drinking water, lifeguards and accessible swimming entry are not confirmed by this review. Verify essential services for the selected access.
Activities
River views; fishing and separately planned paddling; swimming only where permitted and conditions allow
Phone
833-345-0325 (AGFC general information)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Arrange an authorized campground separately. A river launch or road crossing is not an overnight camping permission.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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