Founded in 1954 on the northern cusp of Arkansas, this small town was born to two real estate developers who saw the Bull Shoals Dam being constructed between 1947 and 1951. It became one of the largest dams in the nation at the time.
The small city, with fewer than 2,000 people, is built on land surrounded on three sides by a manmade lake of the same name. This allows for gorgeous views, plenty of waterfront activities, and most of all, quaint local shops to support as you walk along the beaches.
One of the most prominent areas of this small town is the lake itself. There are several designated fishing areas where you can catch a fresh dinner and just as many designated boat launch areas if you wish to head onto the lake. Some of these areas offer boat rentals if you do not have one of your own.
If you are interested in some of the upcoming events to plan your trip around, you will be pleased to know that there are several to choose from.
Light Up Parade - At the beginning of December, everyone from businesses to families will gather around for a holiday-themed parade, ending in the center of town where a massive tree is decorated in lights.
Colorama Fall Festival - In late October, there are haunted tours around the natural cave and cavern system of Bull Shoals.
Theater of the Arts - Throughout the year, the Bull Shoals Theater of the Arts offers live music from both local bands and people touring the area.
Imbolc (St. Brigit’s Day) - Just south of Bull Shoals, in Flippin, there is an annual celebration of Imbolc, also known as St. Brigit’s Day. This is a traditional Gaelic festival centered around celebrating the beginning of spring, often held at the end of January, and for Christians, it is the feast day of Saint Brigit.
While there may not be many national parks located a stone’s throw from Bull Shoals, there are some farther out that are worth the drive.
Hot Springs National Park is one of the few natural hot springs that can be found in eastern North America as well as one of the nation’s oldest, predating Yellowstone by over 40 years. Built around the town of the same name, this national park is sometimes considered to be the American Spa, thanks to the thermal waters and the numerous area spas built around the hot springs.
Going in the other direction, Gateway Arch National Park houses the iconic arch that gave the park its name. This national park was originally called the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, but over time, people took to calling the park after its distinctive archway and the name has been officially changed. Towering over 630 feet above the Mississippi River, this archway marks the beginning of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Back in Arkansas, another national park you may want to visit is the Buffalo National River. It was the first national river to be designated in the United States, and the river itself runs for 153 miles. The lower 135 miles of the river are managed by the National Park Service to ensure that wildlife remains protected and the area retains its beauty. There are countless campsites, paddleboat opportunities, pavilions, and historical buildings to explore when you pay a visit to this river. It is about 45 minutes south of Bull Shoals.
There are quite a few state parks that are worth exploring during your stay near Bull Shoals, with each of them offering a different experience to remember your trip by. Three to check out are Mount Nebo State Park, Lake Charles State Park, and Withrow Springs State Park.
Stopping at the foot of Mount Nebo, Mount Nebo State Park encompasses the entirety of the massive mountain as well as the restored buildings of the 1930s that remain on the land. There are cabins, pavilions, bridges, and several hiking and biking trails.
Located only 90 minutes away from Memphis, Tennessee, Lake Charles State Park offers a massive, 645-acre lake where you can enjoy fishing, water sports, and relaxing during the hot Arkansas summers.
If you are interested in seeing natural falls, springs, and other beautiful water formations that nature has created, Withrow Springs State Park may be one of the best places for you to investigate. The stream that passes through this park is considered to be a Class I stream, meaning it has high-quality fish and offers a comfortable habitat for migrating fish.
There are quite a few landmarks and monuments nearby that are also worth a visit. A few of these are located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which is about 90 miles west of Bull Shoals. These include Christ of the Ozarks, which is a 65-foot statue of Jesus overlooking the landscape, similar to the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Another landmark that is worth visiting is the Cosmic Cavern just outside Berryville, Arkansas. This cave is known as the most beautifully decorated one in Arkansas. It is also the warmest cave in all of the Ozarks, with its high humidity and year-round temperature of about 64 degrees. It is Arkansas’ largest privately owned cave system.
Since this is a popular destination for people to relax and vacation, there are several places where you can stay with an RV near Bull Shoals. A good example is in Harrison, Arkansas, where there are many opportunities to travel to the numerous nearby attractions.
Shady Oaks Campground & RV Park offers a comfortable place to stay in the Ozarks. It is well-maintained, clean, and pet friendly, while also being located in an area that is secluded from loud city life. It offers areas for children to play as well as fire rings at each site. They offer both 30- and 50-amp hookups as well as full hookup options. There are sites that allow for both backing in and pulling through. Amenities include showers, laundry rooms, and Wi-Fi.
Another option to consider is the Dogwood Springs Campground. Much like the previous campground, it offers the natural beauty of the Ozark Mountains as a backdrop, and along with that come chances to go hiking, canoeing, and exploring the caverns underneath. There are 20 RV sites, a swimming pool, a pavilion, picnic tables, fire rings, and hot showers. At these sites, there are full hookup options with 30- and 50-amp hookups, cable TV, WiFi, and an on-site convenience store. You can bring your pets along.
Near the Buffalo National River, you can stay on the riverfront at Gilbert RV Campground. This is one of the few RV campgrounds that also provide rental gear for tubing along the river. In addition to this, their amenities include a convenience store, camping and river gear, bathhouses, picnic tables, grills, firepits, dump stations, and comfortable showers. They have 17 RV sites with full hookup options and 30- and 50-amp hookups. WiFi may be spotty in some places. Pets are allowed.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Bull Shoals, AR, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Bull Shoals?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Bull Shoals from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Bull Shoals?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
