Bella Vista

In the northwest corner of the state, Bella Vista offers a picturesque, activity-based lifestyle for residents and visitors alike.

Most restaurants are locally owned, with a few regional favorites and national fast food chains mixed in. You’ll find lakeside dining, sports bars, golf course pubs and sit-down spots that suit every taste and budget. Enjoy a meal with a view at Lakepoint Restaurant and Event Center.

Top off your visit with a visit to Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, designed by iconic Arkansas architect E. Fay Jones. Embrace nature from within the steel and glass structure surrounded by towering pines and stately oaks.

Bella Vista also hosts one of Northwest Arkansas’ premier fall events, the Bella Vista Arts & Crafts Festival, annually on the third weekend in October. Juried and highly regarded, this event features more than 225 artisans, each showcasing handmade works

Outdoor Activities

Bella Vista has a large natural-surface trail system for mountain bikers, hikers and trail runners. Popular mountain biking trails include The Back 40, Little Sugar and Blowing Springs. The city boasts more than 100 miles of singletrack within its limits, with more on the way thanks to the upcoming OZ Trails Bike Park. Set to open in summer of 2026, the park will feature chairlift-served downhill racing, gravity trails for all skill levels and on-site amenities like rentals, dining and retail. 

Looking for dog-friendly trails in Bella Vista? Check out one of these options. Loch Lomond Trail , which connects to a dog park. Lake Bella Vista Walking Trail has playground equipment and ties to the Razorback Greenway, a 40-mile multi-use paved trail. Tanyard Creek Nature Trail connects to the top of Lake Windsor Dam, taking hikers past a beautiful waterfall.

Seven lakes provide opportunities for fishing, boating, skiing, kayaking and swimming. Loch Lomond has ample room for skiing in its main channel as well as secluded coves for anglers in search of largemouth bass. It’s the only lake with a full-service marina. Lake Windsor, at 220 acres, is also popular for skiing. Lake Avalon is the largest of Bella Vista’s “no wake” lakes and has a large sandy beach with a swim area, beach volleyball courts, paddleboard and kayak rentals and a small concession stand. Lake Norwood is the most accessible and popular for picnics overlooking the water.

All the lakes are excellent fisheries for a variety of species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, redear, catfish and crappie. Kayaking and paddleboarding have also become extremely popular on lakes. Note that the lakes are privately owned and managed by the Bella Vista POA. You must be registered as a guest of a POA member or vacation rental host in Bella Vista to use the lakes and other POA facilities.

Beyond the lakes, golf is a major draw. Bella Vista has seven golf courses and a practice center that includes heated stations for cold weather practice. The city also offers tennis courts, numerous parks and pavilions, outdoor and indoor swimming pools, and fitness centers.

Unique Lodging

Bella Vista doesn’t have a traditional hotel, but offers boutique lodging and more than 200 unique rental homes, making it an ideal base for vacations of all kinds. Lodging options suit a wide range of styles and budgets and are available through online platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Long-term rentals are managed by Vacation Rentals Inc.

Homes and condos cater to families, groups, couples and those with niche interests with locations on the water, on the golf course or nestled in the woods by trails. Some houses have game rooms and hot tubs, and others are pet-friendly.

Campfire Ranch Little Sugar is a trailside lodge that serves as the ultimate basecamp for mountain biking, gravel biking, trail running and fishing adventures. Rent the whole place or one of the seven individual rooms.

Blowing Springs Park is the only campground in Bella Vista. A Good Sam affiliate, it has 11 tent sites and 64 RV spaces.

History

Established as a resort destination in 1917, the first resort offerings included a dance hall, swimming pool, stables and even an underground nightclub inside Wonderland Cave. In 1965, the area became a retirement destination, and Cooper Communities worked to recruit retirees from across the nation to enjoy the amenities provided by the Bella Vista Village Property Owners Association.

Incorporated as a city in 2007, Bella Vista remains home to the POA, which continues to operate many of the city’s recreational assets, including seven lakes, seven golf courses, swimming pools, walking trails, tennis courts, fitness facilities, an RV park and campground.

Bella Vista is no longer solely a retirement community. It’s now a growing recreational haven for all ages. Young families and corporate professionals are moving in daily, and it’s now widely known as a world-class mountain biking destination.