Visitors

Welcome to the City of Bella Vista
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From a retirement destination to a mountain biking paradise, the appeal of Bella Vista has remained the same: outdoor recreation options for every adventure lover. Today, nearly 30,000 people call the city home, and a great place to live and play.

The name Bella Vista, Spanish for “beautiful view,” was chosen in 1915, as the first properties were sold to those seeking the alluring landscape and scenic views offered in the northwest corner of Arkansas. Two years later, brothers Clayton and Forest Linebarger purchased 206 acres for about $6,000, inte
nding to create a summer resort like none other. This was a visionary model of a place conducive to exercise and recreation, reachable by car to anyone willing to travel here. Early attractions in the 20’s and 30’s included the 65-room Sunset Hotel, golf, tennis, a dance pavilion and a large swimming pool, along with an underground nightclub inside Wonderland Cave.

The resort town appeal faded following the Great Depression, war and the country’s economic ups and downs. But Bella Vista continued to grow through the efforts of multiple investors and their visions, and by the 1960s Bella Vista Village was a nationally recognized vacation and retirement village destination, governed by the Bella Vista Village Property Owners Association.

trail runner - CopyIn 2006, residents and property owners of Bella Vista Village voted to incorporate Bella Vista into a full-fledged city, and the change was official in 2007, creating the brand new City of Bella Vista and leading to a dramatic shift in demographics, attracting young families and corporate professionals who wanted nature out their back door and the serenity of living in the woods, with easy access to city amenities. 

TODAY
The city and the POA operate independently from one another.

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  • The city provides police and fire protection, along with street maintenance, building and code enforcement services, public trails systems, a public library and trash pickup. These services are funded through state and local taxes.
  • The POA provides services for recreation, such as operating and maintaining the lakes, golf courses, tennis courts, pools, fitness centers and more. The POA also owns and operates the water department for Bella Vista residents. The POA’s services are funded through monthly assessment fees paid by POA members.
Bella Vista borders Missouri to the north, and is the northern-most of six large cities located along the Interstate 49 corridor, offering a variety of shopping, educational facilities, health care choices, and abundant recreational opportunities. With its location in the Ozark Mountains, the city boasts a primarily temperate climate, and offers four distinct seasons, an array of wildlife and beautiful scenery. All these qualities and more make Bella Vista truly a place to call home.

Facts about the City of Bella Vista

County: Benton
Elevation: 1,033 feet above sea level
Land area: 47 square miles with more than 550 miles of roads
Zip codes: 72714 and 72715
School districts: Bentonville, Gravette and Pea Ridge
Population: 31,745

Golf courses: https://bellavistapoa.com/thingstodo/golf/

Lakes: https://bellavistapoa.com/thingstodo/lakes/

Public mountain biking/hiking trails: The Back 40, Blowing Springs Park, Little Sugar Trails