How POA Guest Passes Work in Bella Vista

Trails are free. Golf is bookable by anyone. Everything on the water — and the rec centers — takes a POA Guest Pass, and your rental host is the one who issues it.

Bella Vista works differently from most Arkansas destinations, and the difference comes down to who owns what. The City of Bella Vista maintains public services and the trail network. But the lakes, golf courses, recreation centers, and courts are owned and run by the Bella Vista Property Owners Association (POA), funded by member assessments rather than tax dollars. That’s why some things are wide open to visitors and others require a pass.

Here’s the short version of what needs one, what doesn’t, and how to get it.

What’s free, no pass needed

Trails. All 100-plus miles — the Back 40, Little Sugar, Blowing Springs, the paved loops — are free and require no permit. Park at any trailhead and go.

Golf. The courses are POA-managed and private, but visitors can book tee times directly with each pro shop. No guest pass required; golf access is handled through the tee-time reservation itself.

Landmarks. The Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel, the Bella Vista Historical Museum, the Veterans Wall of Honor, and Tanyard Creek Falls are all open to the public.

What needs a POA Guest Pass

Water recreation. Access to all seven lakes — swimming beaches, boat launches, docks, and the marina on Loch Lomond — requires a valid guest pass. That covers swimming, fishing from POA docks, and launching any watercraft, including kayaks. Passes are required for everyone present inside controlled lake areas, swimmers and non-swimmers alike.

Sports and fitness. Pass holders can use the POA recreation centers at Branchwood, Kingsdale, Metfield, and Riordan, which typically include fitness rooms, weight equipment, and indoor or outdoor pools.

Court sports. Tennis and pickleball courts managed by the POA require a pass. Availability varies by location and season.

Who needs one

Everyone age six and older. Passes must be presented when accessing the amenities above.

How to get one

Visitors staying in short-term vacation rentals are considered guests of the property owner. Your host issues the guest pass for the length of your stay. Passes are tied to a specific rental and aren’t transferable between properties.

The practical step: confirm guest pass arrangements with your host before you arrive. If lake time or the pool is part of your plan, ask when you book, not when you get there.

The fine print

Requirements and availability can vary by amenity and time of year, and access rules change. Check with the POA for current information before planning activities. The city’s wake-sport rules, no-wake lakes, and seasonal fishery regulations (like Lake Brittany’s winter trout stocking) are set by the POA as well.

Why it’s worth it

The pass system is what keeps seven lakes, swim beaches, and a marina in good shape for a city of residential neighborhoods — and what keeps them uncrowded. For what each lake offers once you’re in, see our guides to lake fishing, fly fishing on Sugar Creek, and places to stay on the lake.