Cotter is in north central Arkansas on a major east-west route, U.S. Highway 412/62. Perched above the White River's banks on a cliff, the town catches the eye of travelers from a scenic overlook on Highway 412. Serving the local traffic and outlying communities are State Highways 126, 178, and 345.

The river enfolds Cotter on three sides and provides its recreational and occupational lifeblood.

Interstate I-44 is about 120 miles north, and Interstate 40 is about 120 miles south.

A highly traveled north-south route nearby is US Highway 65 from Des Moines, Iowa, to Natchez, Miss., through Springfield and Branson, Mo., and Little Rock, Ark. US Highway 65 is about 35 miles west of Cotter.

A popular vacation destination itself, especially for trout fishermen, Cotter's central location in the heart of the Ozark Mountains provides easy access to the boating and water sports of area lakes as well as the entertainment opportunities of the Folk Music Capital of the nation to the south at Mountain View, Ark., and country and "oldies" music to the north at Branson, Mo.