Norfork Lake

A premier Ozark destination in the Arkansas highlands — clear waters, secluded coves, and one of the oldest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers multi-purpose dams in the nation.

Surface Area

22,000 Acres

Shoreline

380 Miles

Dam Height

220 Feet

Rec Parks

19 Parks

Welcome to Norfork Lake

Aerial view of Norfork Lake and surrounding Ozark terrain lake and hills and trees in the evening

Nestled in the Arkansas Ozarks near Mountain Home, Norfork Lake is one of the region's premier water recreation destinations. Created by Norfork Dam on the North Fork River, the lake stretches 43 miles through the highland terrain of Baxter and Fulton counties in Arkansas and reaches into Ozark County, Missouri — offering 22,000 surface acres of clear, uncrowded water surrounded by wooded, largely undeveloped shoreline.

Whether your interest is sailing the open stretches of the main channel, seeking out quiet coves for skiing and swimming, or dropping a line at dawn for world-class bass and crappie fishing, Norfork Lake delivers. The lake's clarity also makes it a premier scuba diving destination, drawing divers from across the central United States.

Camper in a Campground at Norfork Lake fox curled up in a fire ring in a campground norfork dam releasing water into the white river with the lake in the background

The 32,000 acres of public land surrounding the lake provide an exceptional natural buffer — protecting water quality, supporting abundant wildlife, and offering outstanding hunting for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and migratory waterfowl. Nineteen well-maintained Army Corps of Engineers parks ring the shoreline, offering campgrounds, hiking trails, swim beaches, and boat ramps to serve every type of visitor.

The Robinson Point National Recreation Trail and the Norfork section of the Trans-Ozark Trail give hikers and nature photographers year-round access to the full seasonal range of the Ozarks — spring wildflowers and dogwoods, summer greenery, and brilliant fall color across the oak and hickory ridges. The Big Tree Trail, Bidwell Point Trail, Cranfield Trail, David's Trail, and Pigeon Creek Trail further expand access to the lake's diverse habitats.

Recreation Areas & Campgrounds
Norfork Lake Statistics
Dam & Project History
Shoreline Management