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Lodging, Recreation, & Fishing Information
Why Do People Vacation in the Ozark
Mountains?
Each year some 800,000 to 1 million people visit the Twin Lakes Area to enjoy a
wide range of outdoor recreation pursuits. Because there are so many attractive locations
for participating in outdoor recreation, few areas are ever crowded. Most people
vacationing here enjoy the small town atmosphere, the lack of crime, the friendly locals,
and the uncrowded clean clear unpolluted rivers, lakes, and forests.
What About Mosquitoes?
In many areas of America it is hard to enjoy the Great Outdoors when mosquitoes are
constantly buzzing about and biting. Not so with the Twin Lakes Area! This part of the
Ozark Mountains offers very few breeding waters to mosquitoes, which need warm stagnant
waters to breed. The lakes and rivers are too cold, or move too much. Spend a week in
the area and you may well not suffer a single bite.
How Big Are The Lakes ?
Norfork Lake has some 380 miles of shoreline with about 22,000 acres of water
surface area. Bull Shoals Lake has about 740 miles of shoreline with some 45,000 acres of
water surface. Both lakes have thousands of private little coves where one can find quiet
solitude, even on busy holidays like the fourth of July. Both
lakes are deep enough that even in severe drought years there is enough water to safely
enjoy any water sport.
What Do Vacationers Enjoy Doing
on the Lakes?
From mid May through mid September visitors and locals alike engage in swimming,
boating, water skiing, wake boarding, scuba diving, sailboating, houseboating, and
fishing. A few people enjoy these water sports right up to the first of November, and as
early as mid April. January and February are the coldest months, yet there are several
"shirt sleeve" weather days in these months. In cooler weather most people on
the lake are fishing or bird watching.There are no closed fishing seasons so people come
all year for fishing.
How Long Are The Rivers?
Because of the many hills in the Ozark Mountains, rivers twist and turn frequently.
Thus nearly 100 miles of the White River, from Bull Shoals dam down to the town of Calico
Rock, wind through the Twin Lakes area. The North Fork River, which issues from Norfork
Lake dam, runs 4.5 miles down to its confluence with the White River at the town of
Norfork.
What Do People Enjoy On These
Rivers?
The main activity on the White River and North Fork River (aka Norfork River) is
trout fishing, with scenic floats also being popular. Both rivers have produced numerous
line class world records and hold four species of trout: German brown trout, brook trout,
cutthroat trout, and rainbow trout. It is not unusual to catch from 40 to 60 rainbow trout
12 to 16 inches long in six hours of fishing. Trophy brown trout weighing over four pounds
are also common catches. There are numerous public river access points maintained by
Arkansas Game & Fish where you can fish from the banks. There are also several trout
docks, river resorts with cabins, and guide services offering a combination of lodging,
fishing, and dining.
What Is The Buffalo National River?
The Buffalo River was America's first river to be declared a National River. The
river itself, as well as many thousands of acres along it shores, attracts hikers,
horseback trail riders, canoers., and campers from around the world. The river twists and
winds through some 120 miles of Ozark Mountain country, of which about 60 miles are in the
Twin Lakes Area. Much of the Buffalo runs through remote and rugged wilderness, including
the Leatherwood Wilderness Area, which is in the Twin Lakes Area. The Buffalo National
River is home to 64 species of clearwater fish and 1,500 plant species. It is truly a
hiking, canoeing, and camping paradise.
What Is The Fishing Like?
The White and North Fork Rivers, which issue
respectively from Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams, draw anglers from around the world in
search of trophy rainbow, brook, cutthroat, and brown trout. Our lakes and rivers are one
of the few places where you can fish for several species of sportfish in the same day. The
rivers hold rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout. The lakes hold largemouth bass,
smallmouth bass, white bass, striped bass, hybrid bass, spotted bass, channel catfish,
flathead catfish, blue catfish, crappie, redear, sunfish, alligator gar, and carp. Lake
sportfish feed heavily on shad, which both lakes have in amazing quantities. Trout in the
rivers (there are no trout in the lakes) feed heavily on sow bugs and scuds which thrive
in huge populations allowing trout to grow quickly. Both lakes and rivers have very clean,
clear water which means you'll need lighter lines than used in clouded waters. If you are
not familiar with clear water fishing you'll need to go out for a day with a professional
guide. Once you learn the ropes catching fish is usually easy. But until you learn basic
clear water fishing techniques, you won't have much luck. Many resort owners know how to
catch fish in their area. Follow their advise, even if you don't think it makes much
sense, and you'll do well.
What Other Outdoor Recreation Is
There?
In addition to fishing and watersports on the lake, horseback riding, canoeing and
kayaking (no white water runs) golf, hiking, bird watching, mountain biking, cave tours,
hunting, and nature photography are what bring visitors to this area. There are several
hiking trails, over 50 miles of stacked loop mountain biking trails, and hundreds of miles
of old abandoned logging roads on public property. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and
the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission have made hundreds of wildlife food plots around
the lakes and in the Ozark National Forest, which has some 140,000 acres open to the
public. The Leatherwood Wilderness
Area allows for a total escape if you choose.
What Are Small Resorts Like?
There are about 100 small resorts operating in the Twin Lakes Area. Staying at a
small resort is a special experience like no other lodging facility because they are
private and intimate. You'll find small resorts on both lakes and the rivers. Each resort
will typically have from four to twenty housekeeping cabins. Most also have swimming
pools, boat docks, rental boats, small stores, and commons area with a pavilion. Small
resorts typically are from 1 to 5 acres in size. Almost all are owner operated so the
level of service is usually exceptionally good. Most owner/operators are very good at
helping guests have a good time in the area. They can recommend restaurants, shopping,
activities, attractions, etc.
What Is A Small Resort Cabin
Like?
Whether on rivers or lakes, most small resort cabins, also called cottages, are
"housekeeping" units. This means they have a full kitchen with range, oven,
microwaves, refrigerators, cooking utensils, toasters, coffee makers, etc. In other words,
a small version of what you have at home. Most have plenty of storage space in kitchen
cabinets. If you wish you can shop at a local grocery store and cook all your meals in
your cabin. The size of the cabins vary considerably from one room studios up to four or
five bedrooms. The best way to compare what each resort offers is by visiting their Web
sites and then calling the owners with questions. To find resort web sites click a
destination (lake or river), then click on the Resorts link.
Where Do You Rent Boats &
Wave Runners?
Both lakes have several full service marinas which rent a wide range of watercraft.
Most marinas also offer scuba services, marine repair, marine fuel sales, watersport
equipment sales and rentals, bait and tackle, and fishing guide services. On the rivers
are facilities called "trout docks" which offer river boat rentals and trout
fishing services.
When Is Low Season, Shoulder
Season, & High Season?
High season is the summer season which typically runs from about June 10 through
August 15, depending on when children get out of school for the summer, and when they need
to return. Low season runs from early November through the end of February. The spring
shoulder season runs from about March first to Memorial Day. The fall shoulder season runs
from mid August through the end of October. Both locals and visitors say that May and
October are the two most beautiful months.
What About Camping & RV
Sites On The Lakes?
There are many public access points and parks on the lakes which are maintained and
managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps parks offer camping and RV sites as
well as boat launch ramps and swimming areas. All are open to the public. Because these
parks are very popular in the summer, you will need to make a reservation if you wish to
camp or park and RV. To make a reservation with the Corps you will need to visit the
Reserve USA Web site at http://www.reserveusa.com/
In the
How Come The Resorts & Homes Are
Not On The Edges Of The Lakes?
In many areas of America, people own private homes or resorts with land boundaries
running right down to the water's edge. On these lakes you can sit on house or cabin decks
and drop a stone straight down into the water, or at least throw a stone into the lake
from the deck. This is the true meaning of a resort being "on the lake". In the
Twin Lakes Area being this close to the lake is not possible due to the Government Strip,
also called the Corps Strip. At first glance this seems like a serious detriment to the
area. But as so many thousands of people have discovered, the Corps Strip is a major
advantage to the area's lakes.
What Is The Corps Strip?
The Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork
Lake shorelines are owned and managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The amount of
land the Corps owns around each lake is a measure of feet above sea level, not feet from
the water's edge. With rare exception this Corps "Strip" or "Take"
line is at least 200 yards wide, and frequently more.This land is public land so anyone
can hike, hunt, or explore on it without fear of trespass. It is illegal to have
campfires, cut trees, or operate motorized vehicles on the Corps Strip.
Why Is The Corps Strip Such An
Advantage?
Unlike many other lakes in America, the countryside visible from out on the lakes
remains in pristine condition, similar to what it looked like hundreds of years ago. You
will see few buildings in most areas along the lake shorelines. The buildings you do see
are up on ridge tops back away from the water. Instead you'll see thick Ozark hardwood
forests and cedar glades. The "Strip" as the locals call it, is responsible for
not only this pristine appearance, but also for the clear water. If homes and other
buildings were permitted on the shoreline, it would only be a matter of time before septic
effluent seeped into the lake, as has happened on so many other lakes in America.
Can I Attend Church While On
Vacation?
Yes. There are several denominations in the area, all with several different
community churches. Service days and hours vary. For information visit the OMW Church Directory. |
