What life is like in the small town of Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend is a small town in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, where getting outside is part of everyday life. It’s bordered by the Strawberry River and home to a system of lakes, making it easy to spend the day swimming, fishing and boating. There are also a few golf courses here, and when the day winds down, you can hop in your golf cart and head to one of the town’s casual restaurants. All of this creates a laid-back vibe that attracts retirees and anyone else looking for a slower-paced lifestyle.
Housing styles and what they cost
Ranch-style homes are common throughout Horseshoe Bend, especially on streets away from the water. Along Crown Lake, you’ll see some New Traditional houses that usually come with private docks. “A few vacation rentals are on Crown Lake because it’s the biggest one, but for the most part, everyone here is a full-time resident,” says Rebecca Guthrie, a Realtor with Century 21 who lived in Horseshoe Bend back in the 1990s. The median sale price here is around $140,000, with non-waterfront homes starting in the lower $100,000s and lakefront homes sometimes reaching the lower $400,000s.
Where to swim, fish and golf
Even if you don’t have private lake access, there are plenty of ways to get outside. “Rain or shine, people in town are going to try to get a tee time or go out to fish with their buddies,” Guthrie says. Some of the town’s most popular recreation hubs include:
- Crown Lake, a 640-acre lake with a fishing pier and a marina
- Diamond Lake and Pioneer Lake, which are both smaller and quieter than Crown Lake
- Strawberry River, a popular spot for float trips and largemouth bass fishing
- Turkey Mountain Golf Course and Cedar Glade Golf Course, both public 18-hole courses
Which school districts serve Horseshoe Bend
Most of Horseshoe Bend is served by the Izard County Consolidated School District. Kids can attend Izard County Elementary School, about 10 miles away, and Izard County Middle and High School, which share a building roughly 15 miles away. A small section on the community’s east side falls within the Highland School District, which includes Cherokee Elementary School, Highland Middle School and Highland High School.
Shopping and dining in Horseshoe Bend and nearby towns
You can pick up some groceries at the town’s DG Market and go out to eat at one of the locally owned restaurants. Popular spots include Papa Dick’s Pizza, known for its patio and live music, and Calabama Restaurant, a low-key diner serving chicken fried chicken and pie by the slice. For additional shopping and dining, you’ll have to head to nearby towns. Within 20 miles, you’ll find places like:
- Ash Flat, home to a Walmart Supercenter and Tractor Supply Co.
- Highland, home to breakfast spots like Donut Palace and Kup A Luv
- Salem, home to mom-and-pop diners and a hardware store
- Cherokee Village, home to bars like The Copper Feather and Griffin Park Grill
Getting around Horseshoe Bend and the rest of the area
A lot of people get around Horseshoe Bend by golf cart. “Even if they’re not going anywhere, people will just go for rides,” Guthrie says. When you need to travel farther away, several major highways are nearby. U.S. Route 412 connects to other small towns, while U.S. Route 167 leads to larger cities like Batesville, about 40 miles south.
