Marion County, Arkansas

The Historic Marion County Courthouse in the center of the Yellville square.

Marion County, located in north-central Arkansas, is Arkansas's 35th county and its first following statehood in 1836. The county was named for Francis Marion, an American General in the Revolutionary War. The county was originally formed from parts of what is now Searcy County.  Approximately 16,653 residents now call Marion County home according to U.S. Census data (2010).

The county seat, Yellville, is one of the oldest settlements in Arkansas. The area was inhabited by Native Americans prior to being settled by Europeans. The landscape of Marion County is rugged and mountainous with a large area covered in water. Bull Shoals Lake, the White River, Crooked Creek, and the Buffalo National River are all located within the county.

James A. Gaston Visitor Center  (Photo provided by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism.)

Bull Shoals Lake, formed by the creation of Bull Shoals Dam in 1952, is the hub of activity for the people of Marion County and area visitors. Boating in clean waters, excellent fishing, swimming, and camping are some of the reasons people flock to the area. A cold water stream famous for world-class trout fishing is the White River. It emerges from Bull Shoals Dam and meanders toward the Mississippi River.  

A smallmouth bass fisherman can find happiness in the excellent fishing in Marion County's Crooked Creek.

There is no other river quite like the Buffalo River. This is our country's very first national river. Rescued from conversion into a recreational lake in 1972, Congress preserved the free-flowing Buffalo River in its beauty and simplicity. The river is now managed by the National Park Service.

In addition to outstanding outdoor recreation and water activities, Marion County is also a manufacturing hub. Flippin is the home of Ranger Boats. The well-known Ranger brand bass boat was created and has been built here since 1968. Additional jobs come from industries which make molded plastic parts and cable technology. A considerable number of area residents work in the tourism industry.

Marion County has an advanced, all-digital telecommunications company, NATCO Communications which provides area businesses and residents a full range of advanced telecommunication services. NATCO offers High-Speed Internet Service, Wireless Access & Equipment, Exede Satellite Internet, Landline Voice Service, Group Connect, and other telecommunications services for residential and commercial customers.

NATCO’s knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives will be happy to help you find an easy, affordable solution for your telecommunications needs. For the latest special offers or for more information on the wide range of telecommunication services provided by NATCO Communications, visit www.NATCOnet.com or phone 1-800-775-6682.

NATCO's charitable foundation, South Shore Foundation, provides grants to promote economic development to schools, nonprofit organizations and communities within their service area.

For more information on the towns located in Marion County, visit: