Ozark draws remote and local workers with budget-friendly housing
Since COVID and the rise of remote work, Ozark has made a name for itself as an affordable town in outdoorsy Northwest Arkansas. "Before this, Ozark was not really on the map, but now it's a hot commodity based on the amount of house you can get at a lower budget, and yet still be driving distance to your bigger cities," says Corey Archer, sales agent with Coldwell Banker Premier Realty, who grew up the area. Tucked in the Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita mountains, Ozark offers an active lifestyle about 40 miles east of Fort Smith. Some locals commute to the Walmart and Tyson Foods corporate headquarters in Bentonville and Springdale.
From three-bedroom homes to larger houses with acerage
With a median home price of about $180,000, Ozark is considered an affordable Northwest Arkansas location. Ranch-style homes from the latter half of the 20th century are common throughout town. Some of the town's older Victorian-style homes, which may need updates, line the riverfront. The sought-after Peach Orchard area has some of Ozark's larger properties on several acres. Homes near Gar Creek and the river may have a higher flood risk.
Ozark schools offer dual credit and athletic success
The Ozark School District earns an overall B from Niche and serves a large part of northern Franklin County. The school pipeline includes a kindergarten center, a primary school, an elementary school, a junior high school and a high school. The Ozark High School cheer team has won three state championships and ranked third place at the 2025 National High School Cheerleading Championship. Teens can take dual credit classes at Arkansas Tech University-Ozark. The university is a public two-year college in town specializing in technical programs.
Ozark has access to rivers, trails, and mountain views
The neighboring Ozark National Forest is a hub for hiking, kayaking, hunting, all-terrain vehicles and camping within its million-plus acres. The Ozark Highlands National Recreation Trail stretches about 270 miles across rugged and terrain, offering a long-distance challenge for backpackers or shorter day trips. The Cherry Bend trailhead is one of the closest access points, about 25 miles north. To the south, Magazine Mountain offers panoramic views from Arkansas' highest vantage point and activities such as hiking, technical rock climbing and hang gliding. The lodge on the mountain peak features a restaurant and wildlife observation area. Back in the river valley, Ozark city parks include a playground, boat launch, tennis courts, ball fields and a splash pad.
Big box stores in Fort Smith and local options in Ozark
Locals are known to head to Fort Smith for big-box stores such as Dick's Sporting Goods, Target and Sam's Club. Fort Smith's indoor Central Mall has the standard department stores and retailers. "Those big box stores tend to rob the sales within the city limits of Ozark," Archer says. But the town still has a few fast-food chains and local eateries, which are mostly centered around Commercial Street. Zack's Place Pizza has an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet with pizza, spaghetti and salad. Harps is a go-to for groceries. Just east, Altus is rich with vineyards and German-Swiss heritage as the wine capital of Arkansas. Resembling an alpine chalet, Wiederkehr Wine Cellars offers candle-lit dinners with wine pairings in the Weinkeller Restaurant.
Annual festivals celebrate wine, crafts and small-town charm
Ozark's annual Square Gathering in October draws over 3,000 people with arts and crafts booths, food and entertainment in the town center. The tradition dates back over 50 years. Locals also look forward to the North Franklin County Fair, which kicks off with a parade at the end of July. It continues through the week with livestock competitions, a carnival, and a splash zone. Altus's Grape Fest in July is a national attraction with various wine-related activities such as grape stomping, live music, a pie-eating contest, and amateur winemaking competition. Nearby wineries are also open for tastings and tours.
Ozark relies on cars but has regional highway connections
Most residents rely on cars, says Archer, since public transportation, taxis and rideshare services aren't available. Ozark Regional Transit offers paratransit services for individuals with disabilities. Interstate 40 and U.S. Route 64 both serve east-west travelers, and Interstate 49 connects to Bentonville, about 100 miles north. The Fort Smith Regional Airport offers direct flights to Dallas-Fort Worth, and the Northwest Arkansas National Airport has a longer list of domestic routes. Mercy Hospital Ozark has earned national recognition for stroke care from the American Heart Association.
