Cotter

A booming railroad town at the turn of the 20th century, today Cotter’s heartbeat is the White River. Anglers come from every corner of the world to chase rainbow, brown, brook, and cutthroat trout in these waters. Whether you're waist-deep in waders, casting from shore, or working the water from a boat, this stretch of White River is quite possibly America's best trout fishing in terms of the number and size of trout it produces.

With a mild climate in all four seasons, Arkansas has year-round fishing. There is no closed season for trout, although during spawning season, some sections of the river are designated as catch-and-release.

Access points like Roundhouse Shoals make it easy to park and walk down to the water, while Big Spring Park has a boat launch. Hire fishing guides at businesses like CJ’s White River Outfitter or Cotter Trout Dock. Some fishing lodges in the area offer guides and accommodations. Vacation home rentals are also available throughout town.

In the heart of downtown Cotter, Big Spring Park is a major attraction. For kids and families, the park’s swimming hole is the place to be in the summer. A walking trail follows the river upstream toward the historic Denton Ferry site, a stop along the Trail of Tears. Also at the park is the Anglin-Tinnon Railroad Workers' Memorial, an impressive array of displays to honor the men who worked on the White River route of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern railroads, which later became the Missouri Pacific. It contains two cabooses, a conductor's statue, a history of the town and the names of railroaders engraved in stone.

From here, you can see the historic Cotter Bridge, which was dedicated in 1930 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Officially named the R. M. Ruthven Rainbow Arch Bridge, it’s the largest Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge known to exist today.