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Norfork Lake

Briarcliff, Arkansas — Baxter County.

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18,811Surface acres (whole lake)
8Public access sites

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 105341319); shared with Missouri, acreage is the whole lake.

Location & fast facts

Where Norfork Lake is in Arkansas

The red circle marks Norfork Lake.

Fast facts

About Norfork Lake

  • Counties: Baxter, Fulton
  • City or town on the shore: Briarcliff
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Shared with: Missouri. The surface acreage shown is the whole lake; about 96% of the mapped water is in Arkansas.
  • Distance: about 94 mi from Jonesboro and 110 mi from Fayetteville, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (Arkansas: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).

Fishing in Arkansas

Official AGFC pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Good for & watch for

Good for

  • Boating. 8 public trailer launches listed (see access)
  • Camping. 20 campgrounds within 15 mi, 8 on the shore (list)

Watch for

  • Boat traffic. A public trailer launch means motorboats share the water; expect more traffic on summer weekends.

Built only from the data on this page: official access lists, OpenStreetMap beaches and trails, campground listings, state and USGS invasive-species records. We don't rate crowds or water quality.

Lake map

Norfork Lake shoreline, boat launches & beaches

Bidwell Point Park (campground)Cranfield Park (campground)Dam - Quarry Campground (campground)Gamaliel Campground (campground)Henderson Park (campground)South Robinson Point (campground)Panther Bay Park (campground)Udall Park (campground)Quarry Park (campground)Boat ramp (Boat launch)1Boat ramp (Boat launch)2Boat ramp (Boat launch)3Boat ramp (Boat launch)4Boat ramp (Boat launch)5Boat ramp (Boat launch)6Boat ramp (Boat launch)7Boat ramp (Boat launch)81 mileN

Numbers on the map match the list at rightbelow.

Boat launch Campground
  1. 1Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  2. 2Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  3. 3Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  4. 4Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  5. 5Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  6. 6Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  7. 7Boat ramp
    Boat launch
  8. 8Boat ramp
    Boat launch

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 105341319), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Campgrounds near Norfork Lake

We found 20 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles of Norfork Lake, 9 of them within 5 miles. 8 are right on the shore. Distances are straight-line from the nearest point on the shoreline, so driving distance is longer.

14 more within 15 miles

All campgrounds & RV parks in Arkansas

Green tent icons on the lake map mark campgrounds near the shore, and the interactive map shows the closest 12. Amenities are listed only where a source records them; call or check the campground's website before you go, since seasons and rates change every year.

Campground data: Recreation.gov (RIDB) · OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Pulled Oct 12, 2026.

Nearest airports

The closest airport with scheduled passenger flights to Norfork Lake, plus larger airports within about 150 miles:

Compare car rentals near this lake

Car rental links go to our partner Discover Cars; LakeRipple may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.

Airports with scheduled airline service from OurAirports (large and medium airports); larger airports are FAA large, medium and small hubs by FAA CY2025 enplanements ("major airport" = FAA large hub). Distances are straight-line from the lake's center, not driving distance; road routes are longer.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (36.4151, -92.2363). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Norfork Lake. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Norfork Lake

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in CT (America/Chicago), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Boat launches & access sites

    8 public access sites listed, 8 with a boat ramp or trailer launch.

    SiteTownOwnerTypeParkingFeeUsesMap
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.2563, -92.2392
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.2606, -92.2412
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.4785, -92.2565
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.4025, -92.3248
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3744, -92.2341
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3710, -92.2318
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3743, -92.2523
    Boat ramp——Boat ramp (OpenStreetMap) · Yes ramp——Boating36.3754, -92.2506

    OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) and OpenStreetMap boat ramps (ODbL)

    Fees, hours and rules change; confirm with the site owner before you go.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Norfork Lake

    How big is Norfork Lake?

    Norfork Lake covers about 18,811 acres in Briarcliff, Arkansas (Baxter County).

    Is there a public boat launch on Norfork Lake?

    Yes. 8 public trailer launches are listed: Boat ramp, Boat ramp and Boat ramp. Check posted fees and parking rules.

    Are there campgrounds near Norfork Lake?

    Yes. We list 20 campgrounds and RV parks within 15 miles, 9 of them within 5 miles.

    What towns are on Norfork Lake?

    Norfork Lake touches Briarcliff in Baxter County and Fulton County, Arkansas.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Norfork Lake? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Arkansas lakes & ponds · All waters in Briarcliff