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!
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.
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.
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.