Swimming

• Take an Ozark Mountain Splash

Swimming holes have cooled off mountain folk for generations, and in the Ozark Mountain region you'll find an abundance of refreshing and beautiful spots nature has provided for taking a break from the summer sun. Drop off a "jump in" rock and into the crystal cool waters of the Buffalo National River. The Buffalo features great swimming holes surrounded by mountain beauty. Hop out of the boat into the cool, clear waters of a quite lake cove, take a night swim or enjoy designated swimming areas available in recreation areas on the Twin Lakes. Public community swimming pools are open seasonally, and many Ozark Mountain Region resorts and motels provide outdoor swimming pools in addition to other resort amenities. Free style, back-stroke or dog paddle, you'll enjoy the many swimming options the Ozark Mountain Region offers.

Favorite Swimming Holes

Note: These areas are unsupervised. No life guards are stationed.

Marshall area
•     Tyler Bend Recreation Area, Buffalo National River, Silver Hill
•     Grinders Ferry access, Hwy. 65 bridge, Buffalo National River, Silver Hill

Yellville area
•     Buffalo Point Recreation Area on the Buffalo National River, Hwy. 14 South to Hwy. 268
•     Crooked Creek access area, Hwy. 14 South at Yellville City Park.
•     Hwy. 14 access to Buffalo National River, 16 miles south of Yellville where Hwy. 14 crosses Buffalo River.
•     Hwy. 125 Recreation Area, Bull Shoals Lake, 14 miles northwest of Yellville on Hwy. 14, then north on Hwy. 125 for 13 miles.

Cotter
•     Big Spring, on the White River at Big Spring Park.

Bull Shoals
•     Brown's Beach, Bull Shoals Lake, Hwy. 178
•     Dam Site Recreation Area, Bull Shoals State Park

Lakeview
•     Lakeview Recreation Area, Bull Shoals Lake, north of Lakeview off Hwy. 178.

Oakland
•     Oakland Recreation Area, Bull Shoals Lake, 8 miles north of Midway on Hwy. 5, then 10 miles west on Hwy. 202.
•     Ozark Isle Park Area, Bull Shoals Lake, 5 miles southwest of Oakland.

Omaha
•     Cricket Creek Recreation Area, Table Rock Lake, north of Omaha on Hwy. 65, then west on Hwy. 14.

Lead Hill
•     Lead Hill Recreation Area, Bull Shoals Lake, 4 miles north of Lead Hill on Hwy. 7 at Diamond City.
•     Tucker Hollow Recreation Area, Bull Shoals Lake, 7 miles north of Lead Hill on Hwy. 14, then 3 miles north on Hwy. 281.

Lake Norfork(from Mountain Home)
•     Bidwell Point Recreation Area - 8 miles northeast on Hwy. 62, then 2 miles north on Hwy. 101
•     Cranfield Recreation Area - 5 -1/2 miles northeast on Hwy. 62, then 2 miles north on Cranfield Road.
•     Gamaliel Recreation Area - 9 miles northeast on Hwy. 62, then 4-1/2 miles on Hwy. 101, then 3 miles southeast on access road.
•     George's Cove - 6-1/2 miles southeast on Hwy. 5, then 2-1/2 miles east on Hwy. 342.
•     Henderson Recreation Area - 10 miles northeast on Hwy. 62.
•     Jordan Recreation Area - 3 miles east of Norfork Dam on Hwy. 177, then 3 miles north on access road.
•     Panther Bay Recreation Area - 9 miles east on Hwy. 62, then 1 mile north on Hwy. 101.
•     Quarry Cove and Dam Site - 3 miles northeast of Norfork on Hwy. 5, then 2 miles east on Hwy. 177.
•     Robinson Point Recreation Area - 9 miles east on Hwy. 62, then 2-1/2 miles south on access road.

Harrison
•     Crooked Creek, behind the junior high school parking lot off Hwy. 7 South.
•     Bear Creek at the end of Cottonwood Road east off Hwy. 65 North.

Jasper
•     Pruitt access to Buffalo National River, Hwy. 7 north of Jasper.
•     Ozark access to Buffalo National River, Hwy. 7, 3-1/2 miles north of Jasper.
•     Carver access to Buffalo National River, 10 miles east of Jasper on Hwy. 74, then 2-1/2 miles on north on Hwy. 123 to bridge.
•     Hasty access to Buffalo National River, 5 miles east of Jasper on Hwy. 74, then 2 miles on access road to low water bridge.

Public Swimming Pools

•     Marshall: 1/2 mile off U.S. Hwy. 65 on Factory Road. Open 7 days a week during summer months.
•     Harrison: Hwy. 7 South.
•     Mountain Home: Cooper City Park.
•     Flippin: Hickey City Park, Hwy. 62.