Jones Mills, AR

Tucked into Hot Spring County between Malvern and Hot Springs, Jones Mills is a quiet community of around 400 people. The town grew along the Ouachita River in the 1920s, when the construction of Remmel Dam created Lake Catherine and brought steady jobs to the valley. Aluminum manufacturing soon followed, giving the settlement its name and a practical, working-town foundation that still shapes the area today.

Highway 270 runs straight through town, making it easy to commute into Hot Springs for dining, shopping, and healthcare. Outdoor recreation is right down the road at Lake Catherine State Park, where residents can fish, launch a boat, or hike past waterfalls and historic stone cabins built in the 1930s. It offers a laid-back, scenic setting along the water with quick access to neighboring towns.