Stetson's On The White River

The original resort opened in the late 1950's when the Bull Shoals Dam was being constructed. Bill Olliverson and his family started the resort which had a few camping spots and a couple of small mobile camper unit spaces along side the banks of the river. He would run the resort for nearly 7 years before selling it to Audrie and Stu Stetson in the early 1960's. The Stetson's were relatives and partial heirs to the famous Stetson Hat Company. For roughly 14 years, the Stetson family ran the resort before eventually selling it to the Stiles family in the mid 1970's. The Stiles sold the resort to SGS, a property management company, after successfully running the resort for 15 years. In 1989, Jim and Brenda Turner bought the resort from SGS Company and made what is now known today as the great Stetson's On The White Resort. Since taking ownership of the resort, Jim and Brenda Turner tore down older structures to make room for all of the newly constructed cabins and lodging facilities while still keeping the rustic ambiance that the beautiful White River area produces, but with very modern luxuries and comforts. Over the years, as the demand for the area increased, more cabins and a lodge were built. The Turner's added more to accommodate the demand by turning what had 11 structures on the property then, to what it is today; 22 modern log units that have up to date appliances, furniture and amenities such as WiFi, full kitchens and baths. With new structures came more boats, a bigger boat dock, a new concrete boat ramp and more fishing guides to accommodate the volume of guests. Some of the additional work done to the resort over the last 6-8 years includes a place to accommodate corporate meals and family dining, boat rentals, gift shop, additional fishing tackle, shirts and accessories, a basketball goal, meeting space, satellite TV's and high speed internet. In 2006, after years of hard work on the resort and lots of great relationships with our customers, Jim Turner passed away after a short battle with lung cancer. Brenda has worked very hard on the resort since and has invested lots of time and money back into the resort to make it the best place to stay and vacation on the White River. Southern Hospitality describes Stetson's well, and over the years our goal is to keep the same beautiful rustic setting with a fresh, updated and an overall fantastic facility with all the modern conveniences. Brenda will be the first to tell you, "Those who enter Stetson's are strangers but once!" We welcome you to Stetsons on the White and we look forward to taking care of you on your next vacation to see us!