It is a nice area. We used to float and trout fish the White River.  It's lost the "remote" feeling with all of the new houses on the banks of the river.
I currently live in central Arkansas, but I would rather live in that part of the state or northwest Arkansas.  The temperatures are slightly lower, the humidity is lower, and the people are easier to get along with.

How much land you wanting?
How close to civilization do you want?

Would not recommend Harrison

I would look at southern Missouri then.

Arkansas does have a slightly higher tax rate and the road system isn't great in the winter (they don't clear the roads consistently especially out in the boonies).

I would look at around the area between Bull Shoals and Norfolk lakes on the Missouri side.  

Another area would be over around Thayer, Missouri which is close to Mammoth Springs in Arkansas.

Normal land is probably around 2-3K per acre.  Farmland will be slightly higher.

If you buy, I would build a house as there are little to no building codes in that area, so you never know what you might get and a lot of houses are older.

Southern MO is what I'm familiar with.

Not sure about Northern AR.

Though it varies by county and city in MO, so I would just research it before you buy.  

The real estate agent should be able to tell you if there are building codes.

In Newton county, AR I went into the county courthouse in Jasper a few months ago about permits for rebuilding a 60's vintage house. Got the deer in the headlights look. About the only thing required is meeting the electric company's specifications for meter box placement and connection to the breaker panel. Downstream of the breaker panel they didn't care. In Newton county it is Carrol Electric Co-op.

Still good to build as if it will be inspected to building and electrical codes for safety, structural integrity and future resale value.

Got to make sure water, electric and paved roads are available. A lot of places you’re lucky to get two of the three already available if looking for larger properties. Also not a lot of registered/filed land surveys in that area, due to land being parceled off thru generations of family.

Over by Ponca is nice. Beginning of the Buffalo River, and lots of elk, but remote and quite a winding drive to Harrison for shopping.

Anywhere on or near US 65 is good to locate if you like more developed outdoor activities and still low population, plus it connects to US 62 into Harrison. Good roads.

Wind is sporadic at best.  You might get some good wind, but would have to put up a very large tower.

Solar is so-so.  Think it's around 4 hours with 200 days per year.  Think you can look up on some solar sites to get the exact numbers.

I would look at this link.
Verizon Coverage Map

One thing that I would add if you are looking for other power sources are springs.

There are quite a few through the southern part of Missouri by Bull Shoals and Norfolk Lakes.

There might be some in northern Arkansas, but not familiar enough with it.

I would check out Mammoth Springs if you are up around that area already.  Very large spring with good trout fishing.

I am with Verizon, and cell coverage is spotty in Newton county. Even from the top of a mountain you can turn 90 degrees and drop a call. Towers are scarce except in Jasper.

I will add that there is sticker shock for municipal water. Monthly bill starts at $45 a month for the first 1000 gallons, $6 per thousand gal after that. Reason is that water is supplied from two counties away by a private company. Electric is around $13 a month for basic hookup charge.

Speaking of water.

If you find a property you want and it has a well, make sure it is tested before you purchase as quite a few may have problems (some heavy metals sometimes).

My parents is at 300 feet no idea the cost as it was over 50 years ago.


Last I had heard, it was about $30 per foot as it's mostly limestone.  More if you have granite or some harder rock underneath.

Have a good buddy in the area and drove thru in February. Pretty country and plenty of places to shoot. If you’re looking for a BOL you’ll find like-minded folks.

Decent might describe it. You need verizon or AT&T....

You might want to expand your search as far South as the Mtn. View area.  That would put you between Greers Ferry Lake and the others to the North.  It would also put you on/near the White River and not too far from the Little Red.

There's a small hospital there and AFAIK there's still some decent land to be found there.