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The Bull Shoals Lake Destination is located in Arkansas and Missouri. The Ozark Mountains are a geographical feature in the region, along with the many rivers and multiple lakes it contains. The territory contains around 26 cities, with Mountain Home being notable among them. Bull Shoals Lake, the namesake of the destination, offers activities such as hiking, visiting the local marina, swimming, spending time at public beaches, and fishing. In the Ozark Mountains, visitors can choose from options such as hiking, camping, biking, caving, horseback riding, and birding. Nearby campsites have playgrounds, picnic tables, hiking trails, pavilions, and picnic areas.[7] The destination has a wide variety of plants and animals that can be seen.[6] People sometimes visit the area to participate in bird watching. The Bull Shoals Lake Destination has cities, multiple attractions, and outdoor activity opportunities.[2] Temperatures within the area have a high of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also relatively humid, which can sometimes make it feel warmer than it actually is. Rain is common throughout the year, which is attributed to why the destination is humid. Because of these factors, visitors to the area often go during August, making it one of the busiest times of the year.[5]
The Bull Shoals Lake Destination houses many different attractions and cities. The region's relatively most popular attraction is Bull Shoals Lake, which is an artificial lake located in the Ozark Mountains. The lake has hundreds of miles of coves and lake arms, making it the larger of the two of the Ozark Twin Lakes. With a rocky shoreline and proximity to mountains, Bull Shoals Lake is known for its clear water and fishing opportunities.[9] The lake stretches along the northern border of Arkansas into southern Missouri. People are often drawn to the lake because of the water activities, the Ozark Mountains, and Bull Shoals-White River State Park.[7]
Bull Shoals Lake has hiking trails surrounding it, in addition to a local marina and several public beaches. The marina offers boat rentals, allowing visitors to explore the lake. It is common for swimming to take place on public beaches in the area. There is also the option to hire a local fishing guide.[2] The Ozark Mountains, the mountain range where the lake is located, have optional outdoor activities such as biking, camping, hiking, horseback riding, caving, and birding. Bull Shoals-White River State Park has picnic tables, a playground, and Lakeside Trail. Near Bull Shoals Lake are several campsites and RV sites, some of which provide things like picnic areas, pavilions, hiking trails, playgrounds, and multi-use trails. The James A. Gaston Visitor Center is positioned on the west end of the dam. The center has views of the river, lake, and dam. These are only some of the many things to do around Bull Shoals Lake.[7]
Located in the Bull Shoals Destination is the city of Mountain Home. The city has around 40,000 residents. Things to do in Mountain Home include visiting the Donald W. Reynolds Library, the Cotter Trout Dock Guided Trout Fishing Tours, the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, the Bull Shoals Caverns, Wolf House, the Norfork Brewing Company, and the Two Rivers Fly Shop.[3]
The Bull Shoals-White River State Park consists of 725 acres of land in Baxter and Marion Counties of Arkansas. It is located both below and above the Bull Shoals Dam. The state park has features such as camping, pavilions, a nature center, tent sites, picnic areas, and a marina. The state park provides tours of the power generation plant and other dam facilities for a fee.[4]
The Bull Shoals Lake Destination receives numerous visitors each year. Bull Shoals Lake itself witnesses approximately six million tourists every year, making it one of the most visited areas in the vicinity. The lake has gotten positive reviews from its past visitors and from present visitors.[8]
In the Bull Shoals Lake Destination are cities, lakes, rivers, and mountains. The Ozark Mountains, the most known mountain range in the region, are located in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri. Bull Shoals Lake is located near the middle of the district, with Norfork Lake situated to its right. Both lakes have multiple rivers branching off from the main body of water. The destination has a unique shape that wraps around several cities such as Salem, Melbourne, Mountain View, Leslie, Western Grove, Diamond City, Bradleyville, Squires, Rockbridge, and Caulfield. In general, the region has a lot of greenery and bodies of water, providing a warmer climate.[5]
Bull Shoals is the lake farthest downstream compared to the other four artificial lakes in the area. Beaver Lake is the highest upstream, followed by Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo. The Army Corps of Engineers control Bull Shoals Lake. Its primary purpose is to provide flood control. The level of the lake fluctuates throughout the year, with a typical elevation of 654 feet above sea level. Overall, elevation ranges of the lake often fluctuate between an elevation of 630 to 680 feet. This elevation is locally known as the "power pool." Bull Shoals Lake covers 45,000 acres. The bottom of the lake consists of bedrock, causing it to have limited vegetation. The shoreline of the lake is heavily forested.[1]
Temperatures at Bull Shoals Lake range from 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. December is commonly the coldest month of the year, while July usually has the highest temperatures. The lake receives rain throughout the year, though the highest chance of rain is in April. September, on the other hand, has the least amount of rainfall. The Bull Shoals Lake Destination has similar weather patterns, including relatively high humidity. In the month of January, the average temperature is 42 degrees Fahrenheit. It is slightly more humid in January than in other months of the year. Evenings are typically colder, while afternoons consist of slightly warmer temperatures. People often visit in August to participate in outdoor activities because of the weather, which averages out to approximately 74 degrees. From September to November, the air is slightly humid, and the average temperature is cooler. Because of the moisture, it is common for the air to feel "harder" than it actually is.[5]
The Bull Shoals Lake Destination hosts many plants, mammals, and other animals. Ordinary plant life includes mayapples, eastern redbuds, Virginia creepers, white clovers, Japanese honeysuckle, Christmas ferns, butterfly milkweed, and wild comfrey. Arkansas state acts as a home to many mammals like white-tailed deer, groundhogs, American beavers, coyotes, wild boars, bobcats, eastern moles, American minks, North American least shrews, and coypus. There is also an abundance of birds in the Bull Shoals Lake Destination.[6]
Bull Shoals Lake, the namesake of the destination, was created when the Bull Shoals Dam was built. The dam has the purpose of impounding the White River. As one of the largest concrete dams in the United States, the dam is a unique feature in Arkansas. At the time the dam was built, it was the fifth largest dam in the world. Work on the dam began in 1947 and it was later finished in 1951. President Harry S. Truman dedicated it a year later in 1952. To make room for the new lake, there were seven small family cemeteries, along with 20 larger cemeteries, that were relocated. Recent national events have taken place at Bull Shoals Lake, including Brostock 2010 and 2011, along with the TBF Bass Federation and Bassmaster Elite Series Tournaments, which took place in 2012.[1]
In the year 2008, Bull Shoals received a vast amount of rainfall, causing the water level to rise. The water level was the highest it had been since 1957. The lake reached a height of 695.02 feet above sea level. Because of this, the Army Corps of Engineers, the people who are in charge of the lake, were prompted to open the floodgates to sop the lake from further flooding. At 5 p.m. on Friday, May 27, 2011, a record crest of 696.51 was reached due to rainfall. This event exceeded the Spring 2008 levels, along with the 1957 levels.[1]
Ozark RV Park
Located in Mountain View, Arkansas, is the Ozark RV Park. The property was recently purchased by Donna and Mark Burton in February of 2022. Since their arrival, the owners have made multiple renovations and upgrades to the premises. The establishment offers 78 accommodations; of these, 73 are RV sites, 4 are cabins, and 1 is an RV rental. RV sites are either back-in or pull-thru, all including full hookups, a picnic table, and a fire pit. Ozark RV Park is open year-round; however, only the pull-thru RV sites are available between December to February, while all the other accommodations shut down during this time. Common areas on the campground include the bathhouse, laundromat, a fenced-in dog park, and a Community Room. Music festivals and concerts are common in the area, and some are often hosted in the property's Community Room.
...Read MoreThe Blue Sky RV Park can be found in northern Arkansas, offering 38 sites. The current owner of the acreage has been running the business since 2014. Each site is a full hookup, with the inclusion of a picnic table and firepit for every spot. Horseshoes, swingsets, and live entertainment are a few activities that patrons can participate in without having to leave the property. A number of festivals occur throughout the year in close proximity to Blue Sky RV Park, namely, the Folk Festival, the Bean Fest and Championship Outhouse Races, and the Mountains, Music, and Motorcycles event. A fair amount of tourists also come to the area to visit Blanchard Springs Caverns, which offers hiking, swimming, and fishing.
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