OUR HISTORY
Cotter was incorporated in 1902 and is still alive and well today. Blending a rich history with a stable economy, healthy business climate, and outstanding schools and neighborhoods, Cotter is an excellent place to raise a family or start a business. The historic town of Cotter rests on a horseshoe bend in the river, roughly 18 miles downstream of the Bull Shoals Lake Dam. With over 4 miles of riverfront access, Cotter is smack in the middle of the world-famous stretches of river tail-waters, with clear, cold waters being generated from the depths of two lakes. Cotter's historic downtown area features restored buildings, antique shops and restaurants, along with area lodging, camping, parks, springs, trails, sightseeing and relaxation at its finest.
OUR LOCATION
Cotter is a serene, peaceful community set in the rolling hills of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. This idyllic setting is home to young couples, lifelong residents and retirees, as well as being one of the hottest vacation destinations in the country. The mountain views are spectacular, especially in the fall when the Ozarks are painted with dramatic color. Long touted as one of the best places to vacation in the Midwest, Cotter and the Baxter County area have many employment opportunities.
OUR FISHING
With a name like “Trout Capital USA,” it’s tough to talk about much of anything else other than fishing around these parts - but Cotter has so much more to offer! Not only does Cotter Public Schools offer quality education for students k-12, the area offers other educational opportunities, including Arkansas State University and Arkansas State University Technical College in Mountain Home, Ozarka College and more.
OUR ADVENTURES
People drive from all over the United States to enjoy the many adventures that await the outdoor enthusiast! Residents and visitors enjoy water sports like kayaking, canoeing and floating on the White River. Situated near two enormous lakes, Cotter is just a few minutes from the three rivers: the Buffalo National River, White River and North Fork River. Not only are the watersports spectacular, the fishing is world class. Whether looking to land striper, trout, walleye or bass, the waters in the Cotter area are always stocked. If residents are too busy to hit the Twin Lakes to fish, there are also several creeks that have fishing access.
Not only is the fishing fantastic year round, but the entire family can enjoy a wide range of fun in the sun with water activities from water skiing to tubing on Norfork Lake and Bull Shoals Lake. Camping right on the lakes and rivers allows for an immersive experience. For those that enjoy the comforts of home on vacation, Cotter has plenty of lodging available in the area. Vacationers enjoy accommodations that include bed and breakfasts, resorts, RV camping and more. While most people come to enjoy our crystal clear water, they also find many other activities to round out their vacations.
Cotter is also close to the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, established in 1955. The area is also a destination for avid golfers. Voted the #1 course in Arkansas eight times, Big Creek Golf and Country Club indulges golfers with an award-winning course, just minutes from downtown Cotter. Big Creek has been rated as one of the country's best places to golf by Golf Digest nine times from 2004-2012. Another fine course is the Twin Lakes Golf Course that offers a semi-private course and affordable rates with top quality greens.
OUR ECONOMY
Our area is nationally recognized for not only being a top notch vacation destination, but also for being an idyllic place to retire and relocate. Publications including the Wall Street Journal, America's 100 Best Places to Retire, Where to Retire and Outdoor Life, all rate Cotter and other neighboring cities at the top. Not only do the ratings show that Cotter is a great place to live, but also for businesses to thrive. There are several factors that contribute to making Cotter the perfect place to live.
Six Factors that make Cotter great:
A thriving economy and attracts business from seven surrounding counties.
A large base of employers in our area from a number of different industries, providing diverse employment opportunities.
A national tourist destination, creating many opportunities in the tourism industry.
Access to cutting edge health care.
Area infrastructure includes expedient transportation and telecommunication services.
With Arkansas State University-Mountain Home close by, and Baxter Regional Medical Center - which is one of the nation's premier health care providers, additional industries and businesses include:
American Stichco
Bass Cat Boats
Baxter Healthcare
Computer Automation Systems
Eaton Corporation
Epoxyon/ Hamilton Scientific
Full-Boar Manufacturing
Ranger Boats
Wapsi Fly
And Many More!
There are five telecommunication choices in the area. These include: Ritter Communications, CenturyLink, Suddenlink, Northern Arkansas Telephone Company, and Yelcot. Some of the services provided to Cotter residents and businesses include fiber optic networks, high speed Internet and custom calling features. Utilities include Sudden Link Communications cable service, Entergy Inc. and North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Source Gas, water, sewer, trash and recycling services.
OUR CLIMATE
Cotter gets approximately 45 inches of rain on average per year and 8 inches of snow. On average, there are 213 sunny days per year in Cotter. The US average is 205 sunny days.
Temperatures range from the typical July high of around 91 degrees, down to the January lows of 26. One word sums up our climate: BEAUTIFUL!
OUR PROMISE
Those with a love for the outdoors will appreciate Cotter’s school, excellent location and local amenities. With state parks, lakes and rivers in the area, Cotter has continued to flourish since its birth by providing residents and newcomers with a friendly, welcoming community with all the amenities of a larger city. Our promise to you is that you will see a friendly face, be greeted with a warm handshake, will make new friends, and you will find that Cotter is a place you can call home!
