Are the lakes open to the public in Bella Vista?

The Lakes at a Glance

Bella Vista’s seven lakes are Loch Lomond, Lake Windsor, Lake Avalon, Lake Ann, Lake Brittany, Lake Norwood, and Lake Rayburn. They range from the expansive 477-acre Loch Lomond — the largest and a local favorite for boating, skiing, and fishing — to smaller, quieter lakes like Norwood, which sits right in the town center and serves as a peaceful no-wake retreat perfect for kayaking and soaking in the scenery.

Are the Lakes Private?

Yes. All seven lakes are privately owned and maintained by the Bella Vista Property Owners Association (POA). They are not open to the general public. However — and this is the important part — visitors absolutely can access them.

How Do I Get Lake Access as a Visitor?

The easiest way is to book a vacation rental in Bella Vista. There are over 200 vacation rentals throughout the community, and many are located right on the water with private docks. When you book with a Bella Vista host, ask them to arrange POA Guest Passes for everyone in your party. These passes give you access to the lakes and other POA amenities like fitness centers, swimming pools, and boat rentals at the Marina at Lakepoint on Loch Lomond.

A few things to keep in mind about guest passes:

• Guest passes are individual and non-transferable — each person in your group needs one.
• You can also access the lakes as a guest of a POA member, so if you have friends or family who live in Bella Vista, they can arrange guest access for you.

What Can I Do on the Lakes?

Quite a bit. Depending on the lake, you can enjoy boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing. Loch Lomond and Lake Windsor are the largest and allow wake activities, while smaller lakes like Norwood, Ann, and Rayburn are no-wake — ideal for a quiet paddle or a lazy afternoon with a fishing rod.

You can rent kayaks and other watercraft at the Marina at Lakepoint on Loch Lomond. If you want to bring your own boat, guests with valid guest passes can register their watercraft through the POA. Temporary one-week permits are available at the marina or through the Lake Rangers.

Rules and Need-to-Know Info

Bella Vista’s lakes are well-maintained and regularly patrolled by POA Lake Rangers and the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission. Here are the key rules to be aware of:

• Carry your guest pass at all times while using the lakes, parks, parking lots, and dams. Everyone age 6 and older needs one.
• Fishing requires a valid Arkansas fishing license. You can keep a photo of it on your phone. Arkansas Game & Fish Commission harvest limits apply.
• Zero-tolerance alcohol policy. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the lakes — period. This applies to all watercraft.
• Personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, etc.) are prohibited on all Bella Vista lakes.
• Life jackets (PFDs) must be readily accessible for every person on a watercraft and must be the proper size for the wearer.
• Counterclockwise rotation is encouraged when cruising the lakes, and watercraft should travel on the right-hand side — just like on the road.
• Swimmers should stay in no-wake zones. Swimming in wake zones where boats are traveling at speed is inherently dangerous.
• Children 12 and younger cannot operate a boat powered by more than 10 horsepower without direct supervision from someone 17 or older.
• No polystyrene coolers are allowed on the lakes.

The Bottom Line

Bella Vista’s lakes are one of the community’s best-kept secrets — private enough to stay uncrowded and pristine, but absolutely accessible to visitors who book a stay in town. The key is planning ahead: book a vacation rental, give your host your guest list early, and let them handle the rest. Before you know it, you’ll be floating on crystal-clear Ozark water wondering why you didn’t visit sooner.

For more information, visit DiscoverBellaVistaAR.com or the Bella Vista POA.