Things to do in Cotter Arkansas
and in the Surrounding Areas
For an Ozark village with an official population of less than 1,000, Cotter is
blessed with an abundance of things that make it unique.
First, of course, is the three mile plus White River shoreline, 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.