The natural environment of nearby Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes and the surrounding countryside has attracted tourists from around the country for many years.

[5] Other historical features such as the Jacob Wolf House and Cold Water School preserve the history and culture of Baxter County.

Eastern Baxter County and a small area around Mountain Home are within the Central Plateau subregion, known for comparatively flatter terrain more suited for hayfields, pastures, and housing, as well as karst.

Almost all land in Baxter County south of the White River is part of the Ozark National Forest.

Within this area, a subdivision of the Ozark National Forest known as the Leatherwood Wilderness is located along Highway 341 (Push Mountain Road).

Another part of the Ozark National Forest is also protected in the Sylamore Wildlife Management Area (WMA).

The WMA is known as a destination for hiking, fishing, and hunting wild turkey, bear, squirrel, and deer.

Camping is available at Blanchard Springs Caverns, Gunner Pool, and Barkshed areas and a gun range is open to the public.

[27] The lone institution of higher education in Baxter County is Arkansas State University-Mountain Home (ASUMH), a public community college.

The library offers books, e-books, media, reference, programs, youth, special collections, and genealogy services.

The agency is led by the Baxter County Sheriff, an official elected by countywide vote every four years.

Police departments in Cotter, Gassville, Lakeview, and Mountain Home provide law enforcement in their respective jurisdictions, with remaining municipalities contracting with the Baxter County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services.

Cotter, Gassville, Norfork, and Mountain Home, each provide fire protection, in some cases extending beyond corporate limits.

[33] Baxter County has several facilities, monuments, and museums dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the area.

Perhaps one of the most recognizable and important historic structures in Baxter County is the Cotter Bridge over the White River.

[38] The Baxter County Fair is one of the most well-attended in Arkansas, and begins with a popular parade through downtown Mountain Home.

[39] Norfork Pioneer Days Heritage Festival is held annually on the third Saturday in May at the Jacob Wolf House.

[42] Publications lasting only a year or so include The White River Headlight,[41] The Screech Owl, and the Bull Shoals Gazette.

[41] Baxter County is within the Springfield, Missouri designated market area with the following local TV stations: KYTV (NBC, 33.1 ABC, 33.2 CW SD), KOLR (CBS), KOZK (PBS), KOZL-TV, KWBM, KSPR-LD (ABC), KBNS-CD, and KRBK (Fox).

The quorum court is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection.

This tax is collected by the Baxter County Collector between the first business day of March of each year through October 15 without penalty.

This is due to early settlers in Arkansas tending to settle in small clusters rather than incorporated towns.

Some communities, including Bennett's, Cumi, Custer, and Hand were inundated during creation of Lake Norfork.

Other communities are simply a few dwellings at a crossroads, or a residential area near a cove or point on the lake that have adopted a common place name over time.

Each township includes unincorporated areas; some may have incorporated cities or towns within part of their boundaries.

However, the United States census does list Arkansas population based on townships (sometimes referred to as "county subdivisions" or "minor civil divisions").

Each town or city is within one or more townships in an Arkansas county based on census maps and publications.

[58] The county contains three private airfields, including Gaston's White River Resort Airstrip, which is available for public use.

[60] The Missouri and Northern Arkansas Railroad crosses the county along the White River, including a rail yard in Cotter.

[62] The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) is responsible for the regulation and oversight of public water systems throughout the state.