Ozarks Region, AR Land for Sale

Arkansas' Ozarks region covers much of the northern area of the state, bordering Missouri to the north and Oklahoma to the west. The Ozark Mountains cover this area, as well as areas of Missouri and Oklahoma, and even part of extreme southeastern Kansas. Large cities in this region include Bentonville, Mountain Home, Fayetteville, Pocahontas, Batesville and Heber Springs.

The area forms a broad dome around the Saint Francois Mountains. The landscape of the Ozarks region is quite varied, with some areas of higher mountain areas such as the Boston Mountains, where summits can reach as high as 2,500 feet, rolling hills along the White River, and the Ozark Plateau. The area is rich in dolomite and rhyolite. There are 11 state protected areas in this region, which include Alum Cover National Recreation Trail, Buffalo River State Wildlife Management Area, Bull Shoals State Park, Centerton State Fish Hatchery, Devil's Den State Park, featuring a lush oak-hickory forest, Jones Point State Wildlife Management Area, Lake Charles State Park, which features excellent camping facilities, Lost Valley State Park, Old Davidsonville State Park, Prairie Grover Battlefield State Park, one of the nation's most intact Civil War battlefields and Withrow Springs State Park. There are several large lakes in the region, including Greers Ferry Lake, Bull Shoals Lake and a part of Cable Rock Lake, which is mostly located across the Missouri border. There are also numerous rivers and streams in the region.

The Ozarks region, much like the Ouachita region, is rich in natural and mineral resources. There are ore deposits of lead, zinc, iron and barite. Much of the region also supports fee cattle ranching and dairy farming, as well as petroleum exploration in the Boston Mountains area. Logging of softwood and hardwood timber species on private land and in the national forests also contributes to the economy of the region. Poultry farming, food processing and trucking are also important industries. Tourism is a growth industry in the region, due to the access to outdoor recreation, and also the nearby entertainment center in Branson, Missouri, which is just across the border to the north. There are a small number of higher education institutions in the region, which include University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas State University at Mountain Home, Blue Cliff College, Cane Hill College, Ecclesia College, Arkansas Industrial University, Black River Technical College and Northwest Arkansas Community College.

Benton County is located in the northwest corner of the Ozarks region and the state of Arkansas, bordering Missouri to the north and Oklahoma to the west. It is the second most populated county in the state. It is named for Thomas Hart Benton, a U.S. Senator from Missouri in the early 1800s. Bentonville is the county seat, and Rogers is the largest city, with other large cities being Springdale (mostly in Washington County), Siloam Springs and Centerton, and there are around 35 other small cities, towns, townships and unincorporated communities. Protected areas in the county include Logan Cave National Wildlife Refuge, part of the Ozark National Forest and Pea Ridge National Military Park. Beaver Lake is also located in Benton County, featuring over 450 miles of natural shoreline and 12 well-equipped parks for boating, canoeing, skiing, scuba diving, sightseeing, picnicking, fishing, hunting and camping. The area also features limestone bluffs, a mixture of native hardwood trees and evergreen forests, and an additional 19 other lakes. The county is also known for its caves and caverns, such as Old Spanish Treasure Cave and War Eagle Cavern. The Peel Mansion was built in 1875, and features the beautiful Heritage Gardens on the grounds. Some other attractions include the Museum of Native American History, War Eagle Mill, the nation's only undershot waterwheel and Arkansas' only water-powered grist mill, the Bella Vista Museum, the Lowell Historical Museum, the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History and the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, which showcases contemporary American art and the surrounding natural beauty, which is incorporated in the museum's building, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. John Brown University and Northwest Arkansas Community College located in Benton County.

Washington County is also in the northwestern corner of the Ozarks region, just south of Benton County, and borders Oklahoma to the west. It is the third most populated county in the state. It is named for George Washington, the first President of the United States. Fayetteville is the largest city and the county seat, with Springdale being another large city (partially in Benton County), there are 11 other small cities, one town and less than 40 other townships and unincorporated communities. The landscape of Washington County consists of the Boston Mountains and the Springfield Plateau. The Ozark National Forest and Devil's Den State Park are located in Washington County. Some other attractions in the county include Clinton Home Museum, President Bill and Hillary Clinton's first home, the Buffalo River, a dozen hiking trails throughout the county, Steele Stevens Heritage Park, Fayetteville Downtown Square and Gardens, Ozark Folkways Heritage Center, Prairie Grove Battlefield Historic State Site and Arkansas Country Doctor Museum. The University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, Arkansas College, Cane Hill College, the first college in Arkansas, and Arkansas Industrial University are located in the county.

Baxter County is located in the middle and northern area of Arkansas' Ozarks region, bordering Missouri to the north. It is named for Elisha Baxter, the 10th governor of Arkansas. Mountain Home is the county seat and the largest city, with other larger cities being Cotter and Gassville, and there are less than 20 other small cities, towns, townships and unincorporated communities. The county is bordered by two of Arkansas' largest lakes, Bull Shoals Lake and Norfolk Lake, with the Norfolk Tailwater and Buffalo National River on its southern border. Part of the Ozark National Forest is in Baxter County. Educational institutions have played a large role in the life of the community, with a branch of Arkansas State University at Mountain Home. Baxter County has a diverse base of employers, including manufacturing, retail market, healthcare services and telecommunication and transportation services. Tourism is also a large component of the economy.