Norfork Lake stretches for 43 miles through Baxter and Fulton Counties and reaches into Ozark County in Missouri. Its 22,000 acres of clear water are bordered by wooded, largely undeveloped shores. This is Baxter County, whose rugged, mountainous landscape is also a region where the lake and rivers shape the character of the surroundings.
Norfork Lake and the Rivers
At Norfork Lake, sailing, water skiing and swimming are among the activities available on the water. Sailors can explore long stretches of the main channel; quiet coves are ideal for water skiing and swimming. Fishing is also possible: fish caught in the lake include largemouth bass and crappie. The large expanse of water and the wooded, mostly undeveloped shoreline provide a shared scenic backdrop for these activities.
Another point of interest for anglers is the North Fork of the White River. The AGFC manages the trout fishery there along the stretch from Norfork Dam to its confluence with the White River. The White River is also among Baxter County’s water resources mentioned for recreational activities on the water.
History in Buildings and Landscapes
The Jacob Wolf House offers a glimpse into the early administrative history of the Arkansas Territory: it was built in 1829 as the first permanent courthouse of Izard County in the Arkansas Territory. The historic site is certified as an official Trail of Tears Interpretive Center. A 2013 report documented the house as the last surviving two-story dogtrot building with a public function in the United States.
The Cotter Bridge also tells a story of engineering history. It is the only bridge in Arkansas known to have been designed and built by the Marsh Engineering Company. Mountain Village 1890 offers another way to explore the history of the Ozarks: the recreated settlement includes authentic 19th-century buildings.
The natural history of the region can be seen at Bull Shoals Caverns. The cave system consists of living limestone, is approximately 350 million years old, and features underground streams and stalactite and stalagmite formations. Its approximate age and still-growing cave landscape offer a very different perspective on the region from its historic buildings.
Exploring the Waterfront
Bull Shoals-White River State Park is located on the shores of Bull Shoals Lake and the White River. At the James A. Gaston Visitor Center, exhibits and a theater video present the history and fisheries of these waters, as well as Bull Shoals Dam. The center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
At Norfork National Fish Hatchery, visitors can walk around the 96 outdoor raceways and see earlier stages of trout production in the Hatch House. The visitor center features native wildlife and offers informational materials. Dry Run Creek runs right beside the hatchery and offers fishing opportunities for children and people with limited mobility.
In Cotter, Big Spring Park brings together two different attractions: it hosts the annual, family-friendly First Security Cotter Trout Festival and has a boat ramp. A hiking trail follows the river upstream toward the historic Denton Ferry site, a stop on the Trail of Tears.
Practical Information
The Baxter County Historical Museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is free. Together with the daily opening hours of the James A. Gaston Visitor Center, this makes it possible to plan visits during two different time windows. Opening hours and admission policies may change, so it’s a good idea to check the latest information before your visit.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Mountain Home, Gassville, Norfork, Greene County, Lawrence County, Boone County, Poinsett County, Mississippi County.
For the main travel overview: Arkansas.
