Harrison, the crossroads of the Ozarks, is located in the heart of the very best scenery, outdoor activities, and entertainment of the Ozark Mountain Region. Here, the Ozark's highest mountains and deepest canyons offer breathtaking panoramas and the quaint villages serve up wholesome food and genuine homespun hospitality.
Our hometown atmosphere offers simple, relaxing, family-oriented living. We take pride in the fact that our way of life intrigues people and gives them the desire to relocate to the Harrison area. You, too, will discover why Harrison has been named one of the "100 Best Small Towns in America" for the second time.
Recreation
Golf and Tennis - The Harrison Country Club is a private club that boasts an 18-hole layout with practice range, rental carts, PGA pro, pro shop, swimming pool, and restaurant. In or out-of-town guests are welcome. Diamond Hills, 20 miles north of Harrison, is a daily fee course offering 18 holes, rental carts and a practice range. A 9-hole par 3 golf course is available at The Links apartment community for both apartment residents and the public.
Fishing, Water Sports and Canoeing - Five major lakes, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Table Rock, Beaver and Taneycomo, are all within an hour's drive from Harrison and offer bass, pike, trout and other game fishing; sailing, skiing and diving in their clear mountain waters. The White River offers world-famous trout fishing and the Buffalo River is renowned for its beautiful scenery, fabulous canoeing and smallmouth bass. Crooked Creek runs through downtown Harrison, culminating in Lake Harrison, and is also known for its smallmouth bass fishing. A lighted river walk makes Lake Harrison a great feature for family activities.
Motorcycling - Many area residents and visitors enjoy the relaxation and excitement of motorcycling in the Ozarks. The beautiful scenery and winding roads provide a wonderful backdrop for pleasure rides alone or with a group of friends. Area cyclists can also participate in scheduled rides for charitable organizations.
Mystic Caverns
Caves - Below the rolling hills, lush valleys, and clear-running streams of the Arkansas Ozarks is an often dazzling underworld - the limestone caves of the Ozarks. Of the nearly 2,000 documented caves in North Arkansas, eight are privately-owned, commercial tour caves open to the public.
Blanchard Springs Caverns in the Ozark National Forest near Mountain View, Ark., is operated by the U.S. Forest Service. Like the privately-owned tour caves of Arkansas, this is a "living" cave, with formations still developing and changing. At Hurricane River Cave, located on U.S. Hwy. 65 at Pindall, a one-fourth-mile walkway winds along an underground river bed. A 45-foot-tall waterfall graces the entrance. Mystic Caverns, eight miles south of Harrison on Scenic 7 National Byway, features two caves separated by 60 feet of rock. Open for tours since the 1920's, the popular attraction boasts large rooms overflowing with formations.
Hiking - Hiking trails abound along the Buffalo National River and throughout the Ozark National Forest, both of which are just south of Harrison. Baker Prairie, preserved by the Nature Conservancy and the Arkansas Heritage Commission, is 70 acres of grasses and natural wildflowers that may be viewed on foot.
City Parks and Sports Facilities - Harrison maintains several attractive shaded parks for walking and picnicking. The sports complex with its fields for baseball, soccer and softball hosts many annual tournaments. A multipurpose youth center adjacent to the Harrison Junior High and a municipal swimming pool and water park can be enjoyed by the whole community for its activities.
Activities
Shopping and Dining - From unique hand-crafted items to name-brand favorites, visitors and residents of Harrison rarely have to leave the area to find what they need. Quaint stores in the historic downtown area feature antiques and shopping centers containing over 100 stores providing a large selection of everything from bargain items to name-brand clothing, furniture, electronics, appliances, sporting goods, and more.
Whether your tastes range from casual to elegant, home-cooking to international fare, you will find a wide range of "tastes" prepared by area chefs. We offer plenty of choices from over 50 restaurants including fast-food, soup/sandwich shops, BBQ, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, home-raised trout cooked to your specifications, and elegant, world class selections designed to fit any taste.
Downtown Historic District - Harrison is well-known for its beautiful downtown historic district. The Main Street Harrison organization oversees the preservation and beautification of this critical part of our history. Here you will find an interesting mix of shops, restaurants, and local interests such as the Boone County Courthouse, the Marine Corps Museum, and just off the square, the Boone County Heritage Museum.
Fairs and Festivals - The Harrison area is the scene of many annual festivals and other recreation activities, including:
Crawdad Days Music Festival
Harvest Homecoming Festival
Arkansas Hot Air Balloon Race
Northwest Arkansas District Fair & Rodeo
Annual Bluegrass Festival
Art League Festival of Art
Annual Fall Foliage Color Tour
Harrison City of Lights & Christmas Parade
Arkansas Fiddlers Jamboree
Main Street Easter Egg Hunt
Spring Dogwood Tour
Buffalo River Concert Series
Home, Farm and Garden Show
Buffalo River Elk Festival
4th of July Celebration and Fireworks
NBC World Series
Arts and Entertainment - Though outdoor activities are what Harrison is known for, you won't find a shortage of programs related to cultural interests. A few of these include:
Harrison Art League - exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations
Bill Baker Amphitheatre for outdoor performances at North Arkansas College
Lyric Theater for indoor theatrical and music performances downtown
Theatre Company of Harrison productions
North Arkansas College drama department productions
Ozark Arts Council
Boone County Heritage Museum
Marine Corps Museum
8-theater movie complex
City Parks and Sports Facilities - Harrison maintains several attractive shaded parks for walking and picnicking. The sports complex with its fields for baseball, soccer and softball hosts many annual tournaments. A multi-purpose youth center adjacent to the Harrison Junior Hugh and a municipal swimming pool and water park can be enjoyed by the whole community for its activities.
