Bella Vista was first established in 1965, but incorporated in 2006 and formed a municipality; it was the largest unincorporated community in the state of Arkansas prior to that time. The area was originally known as a retirement community, but has experienced recent growth with an influx of young couples and families. Bella Vista's seven lakes – Lake Ann, Lake Windsor, Loch Lomond, Lake Avalon, Lake Brittany, Lake Norwood, and Lake Rayburn – serve its residents with great sporting and fishing activities.
Bella Vista maintains a variety of attractions including: