Hiking
After you park and follow the very short path to the wood deck overlook, you can pick a trail to get down to the base of the waterfall.
If you go right of the wood overlook, you take a trail over the top of the waterfall before going down.
If you go left of the wood deck, the first obvious way down is the steepest. Not far past that path is more of a switchback down which is a little easier.
32 locals recommend
Bridal Veil Falls
After you park and follow the very short path to the wood deck overlook, you can pick a trail to get down to the base of the waterfall.
If you go right of the wood overlook, you take a trail over the top of the waterfall before going down.
If you go left of the wood deck, the first obvious way down is the steepest. Not far past that path is more of a switchback down which is a little easier.
16 minute drive from Otter House, and right by the Hatchery and Dam Site overlook, so you could plan to do all three.
An excellent quick little gem. Seriously, a very short, easy walk from the car. We will take a picnic basket the next time we go.
20 locals recommend
Collins Creek Trailhead
Hatchery Road16 minute drive from Otter House, and right by the Hatchery and Dam Site overlook, so you could plan to do all three.
An excellent quick little gem. Seriously, a very short, easy walk from the car. We will take a picnic basket the next time we go.
12 minute drive from Otter House. The hike/climb itself is very quick. Getting to the top was an adrenaline rush for me. While I saw people accomplishing the climb in slip on sandals or with a dog, I personally would not take a dog or young kids.
Also at this location is Hidden Pond Trail and one additional lower trail that I have not walked yet, so you could plan to do all three if time allows.
35 locals recommend
Sugarloaf Mountain
Trailhead Road12 minute drive from Otter House. The hike/climb itself is very quick. Getting to the top was an adrenaline rush for me. While I saw people accomplishing the climb in slip on sandals or with a dog, I personally would not take a dog or young kids.
Also at this location is Hidden Pond Trail and one additional lower trail that I have not walked yet, so you could plan to do all three if time allows.
12 minute drive from Otter House. Hidden Pond Trailhead is located at Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead, wheelchair accessible due to the paved path, and quick and easy.
Hidden Pond
12 minute drive from Otter House. Hidden Pond Trailhead is located at Sugarloaf Mountain Trailhead, wheelchair accessible due to the paved path, and quick and easy.
Swimming
20 minute drive from Otter House. Dam Site Recreation Area & Campground is located at Greers Ferry Dam at the foot of Round Mountain in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of North Central Arkansas. The environment provides the ideal location for family camping, fishing, boating and hiking. Facilities include 241 campsites (148 with electric, 93 without), flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, trailer dump station, launch ramp, swimming area, playground, picnic shelter, and marina.
9 locals recommend
Dam Site Recreation Area
315 Heber Springs Rd N20 minute drive from Otter House. Dam Site Recreation Area & Campground is located at Greers Ferry Dam at the foot of Round Mountain in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of North Central Arkansas. The environment provides the ideal location for family camping, fishing, boating and hiking. Facilities include 241 campsites (148 with electric, 93 without), flush and vault toilets, showers, drinking water, trailer dump station, launch ramp, swimming area, playground, picnic shelter, and marina.
20 minute drive from Otter House. Good for swimming and playing in the sand on Greers Ferry Lake.
14 locals recommend
Sandy Beach
West Front Street20 minute drive from Otter House. Good for swimming and playing in the sand on Greers Ferry Lake.
Food scene
14 minute drive from Otter House. Comfort food...excellent fried chicken sandwiches.
Hilda's Home Cooking
425 Arkansas 11014 minute drive from Otter House. Comfort food...excellent fried chicken sandwiches.
Angie's Hideaway
201 Bobbie Jean LnBrothers BBQ
301 Southridge Pkwy13 minutes from Otter House. Great BBQ.
Jitterbug Coffeehouse
109 W Main St15 minutes from Otter House. Coffee, pastries, ice cream.
Tucked in the back of a rock and antique shop is a small, unpretentious tea room...the definition of hole in the wall, mom and pop shop. The chicken salad is delicious.
Woodgrove Antiques, Tea Room & Rock Shop
314 W Main StTucked in the back of a rock and antique shop is a small, unpretentious tea room...the definition of hole in the wall, mom and pop shop. The chicken salad is delicious.
18 minute drive from Otter House. Next door to Ozark Country Market. 5 minutes from Bridal Veil Falls.
Arrow's Cafe and BBQ
9 Pangburn Road18 minute drive from Otter House. Next door to Ozark Country Market. 5 minutes from Bridal Veil Falls.
Fishing
14 minutes from Otter House. Cow Shoals is a public catch-and-release area.
All trout caught must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with a single barbless hooking point per pole may be used. Bait (scented and natural) use prohibited. Only one fishing rod may be used and must be attended at all times. Closed to night fishing October 1st - December 31st. Fishing license and trout permit required.
Cow Shoals
Cow Shoals14 minutes from Otter House. Cow Shoals is a public catch-and-release area.
All trout caught must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with a single barbless hooking point per pole may be used. Bait (scented and natural) use prohibited. Only one fishing rod may be used and must be attended at all times. Closed to night fishing October 1st - December 31st. Fishing license and trout permit required.
10 minute drive from Otter House. Public boat put in and walk in access at Winkley bridge and winkley shoal.
Barnett Park
10 minute drive from Otter House. Public boat put in and walk in access at Winkley bridge and winkley shoal.
Sightseeing
17 minute drive from Otter House is the Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery. My five year old was entertained for about one hour! The Hatchery is right be Collins Creek Trailhead and Dam Site overlook, so you could plan to do all three.
The facility is open to the public from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. for self-guided tours of the outdoor raceway area to see a close-up view of the fish production process (see fish of varying sizes).
Hatchery Road
Hatchery Road17 minute drive from Otter House is the Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery. My five year old was entertained for about one hour! The Hatchery is right be Collins Creek Trailhead and Dam Site overlook, so you could plan to do all three.
The facility is open to the public from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. for self-guided tours of the outdoor raceway area to see a close-up view of the fish production process (see fish of varying sizes).
17 minute drive from Otter House and right be the Hatchery and Collins Creek Trailhead if you want to plan to do all three.
The Greers Ferry Dam and Lake were developed as flood control; dedicated by President John F. Kennedy and opened on October 3, 1963.
8 locals recommend
Greers Ferry Dam
17 minute drive from Otter House and right be the Hatchery and Collins Creek Trailhead if you want to plan to do all three.
The Greers Ferry Dam and Lake were developed as flood control; dedicated by President John F. Kennedy and opened on October 3, 1963.
Playgrounds
About 15 minutes from Otter House. Public playground, skate park, and pavilions.
6 locals recommend
Spring Park
123 Frauenthal StAbout 15 minutes from Otter House. Public playground, skate park, and pavilions.
Grocery
18 minute drive from Otter House and about five minutes from Bridal Veil falls if you want to stop in this market of local goods before or after your hiking. It is also right next door to Arrow's Cafe.
9 locals recommend
Ozark Country Market
999 Heber Spring Rd18 minute drive from Otter House and about five minutes from Bridal Veil falls if you want to stop in this market of local goods before or after your hiking. It is also right next door to Arrow's Cafe.
Walmart Supercenter
1500 Hwy 25B18 minutes from Otter House.
Harps Food Stores
901 W Main St16 minute drive from Otter House.