Bull Shoals, population 2,000, is in north central Arkansas about 10 miles south of the Arkansas-Missouri state line. Primarily a retirement and vacation center, Bull Shoals is bordered in three directions by a clear, deep, manmade lake of the same name, Bull Shoals Lake.

The town of Bull Shoals, as we know it today, was created by real estate developers C.S. Woods and C.S. Woods Jr. a little over 50 years ago, with the city being officially established in 1954. Bull Shoals Dam is the threshold into the town, if you are coming in from the southeast.

James A. Gaston Visitor Center (Photo provided by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.)

Bull Shoals Dam and the town of Bull Shoals developed together. The developers bought several tracts of the former Newton Flat settlement when they heard the government planned to build a flood-control and power-generating concrete dam at the site. Construction of the dam took four years, between 1947 and 1951, resulting in one of the largest dams built in the nation at that time.

Bull Shoals Lake is the hub of activity for the people of Bull Shoals and their many visitors. Boating in clean waters, excellent fishing, swimming, and camping are some of the reasons people flock to Bull Shoals. Small businesses supply the needs of the townspeople and vacation attractions focus on the natural environment and the land's features and history.

Bull Shoals has been honored as an Arkansas Volunteer Community of the Year for five years. Sue Culver is the Volunteer Coordinator. Activities of the following organizations contribute to the achievement: Bull Shoals Theatre, Parks Committee, Historical Society, Cemetery Board, VFW, Library Board, Police Auxiliary, Fire Department Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels, Lions Club, Rotarians, Chamber of Commerce, Bull Shoals churches, and the people of Bull Shoals.

Location Click Here for City Map	City Distance Chicago 566 miles NE Dallas 480 miles SW Kansas City 288 miles NW Little Rock 170 miles S Memphis 211 miles SE St. Louis 273 miles NE Tulsa  224 miles W Wichita 399 miles W Here's a more detailed map of the area from South Shore.

Bull Shoals is located in north central Arkansas about 10 miles south of the Arkansas-Missouri state line in the Ozark Mountains. It is accessible by Arkansas Highway 178 from north-south Arkansas Highway 5 or from U.S. Hwy 412/62 at Flippin.

Bordered on the north, northeast and west by the waters of Bull Shoals Lake, the town of Bull Shoals is nearly a peninsula. The White River flows alongside the town on the east, and the town is just north of the Buffalo National River 34 miles. Terrain is heavily wooded on rolling hills with water recreation on Bull Shoals Lake defining the town by name and proximity.

Nearest interstate highways are Interstate 44 (135 miles north) and Interstate 40 (125 miles south). A nearby north-south, highly-traveled route is U.S. Highway 65 from Des Moines, Iowa, to Natchez, Miss., through Little Rock, Ark., Branson and Springfield, Mo. U.S. Highway 65 is 35 miles west of Bull Shoals.