
Attractions Nearby
First, of course, is the
three mile plus White River shoreline at Cotter,AR, offering perhaps the finest trout fishing in Arkansas. The cold water that comes from the bottom of Bull Shoals Lake teems with rainbow
trout, brown trout, cutthroat and brookies If
you don't want to fish, a stroll along the riverbank with the magnificent views
of the bluffs on the other side of the river will truly refresh your soul!
v
Big Spring Park, given
originally to the city in October of 1905 by the Red Bud Realty Company, is a
large park where many town events take place. It is the site of the Little
League Baseball Field, the Anglin-Tinnon Railroad
Workers Memorial, and the spring itself, which has been a summer place for
Cotter's children for decades.
v
The R. M. Ruthven bridge,
the largest Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge known to exist today, is
probably the best known symbol of Cotter and appears on many tourist brochures
for the area and, indeed, the state. It is on the National Register of Historic
Places.
Cotter's
other entry on the National Register is the North Arkansas Youth
Center. Originally built in the 1930s by the WPA for use as the high
school's gymnasium, it was renovated by volunteers and now houses activities
for children after school and on weekends.
Cotter's latest entry on the list of one-of-a-kind attractions is the Anglin-Tinnon
Railroad Workers Memorial.
- Mountain Village 1890 - Ark. 178 1011 C9 Woods
Blvd., Bull Shoals. A working village from the last
century, complete with authentic structures, frontier characters, and
caverns. 870-445-7177.
- Ozark Folk Center - Ark. 5-9-14, Mountain View. "Living
museum" state park re-creates the music and skills of the last
century. Quilting, furniture making, blacksmithing, pottery, woodworking
and 20 other skills demonstrated; traditional mountain concerts staged
Apr-Oct; restaurant, lodge, gift shop. 870-269-3871 800-264-3655 for reservations.
- Top O' The Ozarks Tower - From the tower you can look out over a panorama of Bull Shoals Lake, the White River and more than a
million acres of beautiful Ozark Mountain scenery. A modern
elevator takes you to the top, which has both open and enclosed
observation areas. Come enjoy the most beautiful view in Mid-America!
870-445-4302
- Wolf House - Ark. 5, Norfork. Overlooking the White River, the Wolf House was
built in the early 1800s and is believed to be the oldest two-story log
structure in Arkansas. Furnished with
primitive antiques. 870-499-WOLF.
Caves and Caverns
- Blanchard
Springs Caverns - Ark. 14 North, Mountain View. Ranked among the 10
most outstanding in North America; the only cave system
in the US developed and
operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Open year-round, the massive
underground spectacle offers two guided tours during the warm seasons and
one in winter. 870-757-2211.
- Bull Shoals Caverns - Ark. 178, Bull Shoals.
Claims formations millions of years in the making; the site has been used
by prehistoric natives, Civil War soldiers and moonshiners.
800-445-7177.
- Hurricane River Cave - U.S. 65 South, Harrison. Known for its
45-foot waterfall at the entrance. The remains of prehistoric bears and a
saber-toothed tiger have been found among the cavern's ancient calcite
formations. 800-245-2282.
- Mystic Caverns - Ark. Scenic 7 Byway South, Harrison. Has
two beautiful caves. The upper level features huge formations; lower level
is in pristine state. Mineral museum, gift shop. 870-743-1739.
Driving Tours
Outdoor Recreation
- Ozark National Forest - Ark. 14 North, Mountain View. Some 130,000 acres
of hardwood forests, spring-fed creeks, two adjoining rivers, grassy
meadows, limestone bluffs and caverns make up the Sylamore
District. Campsites at Blanchard Springs, Gunner Pool, Barkshed;
hiking, horseback riding. 870-757-2211.
- Ozark Highlands National Recreation
Trail - This overnight backpacking or day use trail roams 178 miles
through Ozark National Forest to Buffalo National River. Winds along
mountaintops, bluffs, forests and streams.
- Ozark Mountain Bicycle Trails
http://norfork.com/cycling/ -
The Pigeon Creek Stacked Loop Mountain biking & hiking trails System
on Norfork Lake. This trail system is
maintained by the Twin Lakes Bicycle Club.