Winter in Arkansas is the perfect season to head to the woods. Cabins, treehouses, and lodges abound, making the Natural State a heartfelt place to recharge. We’ve gathered five top spots for nature lovers, sweethearts, and mountain bike enthusiasts.
Northwoods Base Camp
Hot Springs, Arkansas
airbnb.com
When John and Heather Rogers partnered with friends Keith and Shanalee Goss to develop eleven wooded acres in Hot Springs, they wanted to build twenty cabins. There was ample room, and the location, only five minutes from historic Bathhouse Row, was also mere steps from the Northwoods Recreational Area, which includes lakes, hiking paths, and a mountain biking system that encompasses nearly thirty-two miles of world-class trails. But something happened to the partners who loved the land. They decided on only two cabins, at least for now, so that guests could experience the splendor and seclusion of their part of Arkansas.
The cabins, named Nighthawk and Dreamcatcher, are located near a trail of the same name. Amenities abound, including a full kitchen and bathroom, luxury bedding, Wi-Fi, heat and air, fire pits, mountain bike racks, repair stations, and wash pads, yet it’s the land that’s the real star.
“It’s the ruggedness,” says John, whose family has lived in Hot Springs for four generations. “It’s absolutely beautiful with the hills and the thick forest. Single-track trails weave through the mature pine trees, and there’s a dampening of the sounds because you’re so deep in the woods… You’re in creation, and it’s a beautiful thing.”
In the Trees
Hot Springs, Arkansas
inthetrees.com
Minutes away from downtown Hot Springs, with mom-and-pop shops galore, is In the Trees resort featuring treehouses and cabins spaced about fifty feet apart and strategically situated for the utmost privacy. The resort is perched high in the Ouachita Mountains and has lavish amenities, including heated floors.
You can head to your private hot tub, where the mountain views are sumptuous, or cozy up by the fireplace with a glass of wine and a curated vinyl collection. Hungry? A chef-prepared meal or a charcuterie board can be delivered. Stressed? A masseuse will come to you. Adventerous? Tour around on an e-bike, hike or mountain bike on the nearby trails.
Country Charm Log Cabins
Bismarck, Arkansas
countrycharmlogcabins.com
This woodland resort, with six custom log cabins, sits on forty acres. Visitors from across the U.S. and thirty-six other countries have discovered Country Charm Log Cabins. Part of the winning formula is the amenities, like their luxury towels and linens, outdoor fire pits, and pristine hiking trails.
If you’re looking for togetherness, consider the Couple’s Log Cabin, which is one room with a kitchen. As night falls, slip into the hot tub on the private covered deck. Rest easy in the queen-sized bed or enjoy the two-person whirlpool tub. Outside, a hammock and fire pit await. Larger cabins are available, nestled in all the beauty the outdoors offers.
Azalea Falls Lodge
Kingston (Upper Buffalo River), Arkansas
azaleafalls.com
Azalea Falls Lodge (plus cabins and a bed and breakfast) sits on nearly 150 acres, a couple of miles north of the Buffalo National River and Boxley Valley, where you’ll likely see wild elk. The property is home to an eighty-five-foot seasonal waterfall. Deer and wild turkey roam the grounds, and guests can relax, ride horses, zip line, canoe, hike, fish, birdwatch, or rock climb.
Azalea Falls Lodge covers 3,000 square feet, with another 3,000 square feet of decks and patios. It’s decorated with antiques, stone fireplaces, canopied beds, and local art. All the amenities you’d expect are there, such as Wi-Fi, whirlpool tubs, and a fully appointed kitchen. Azalea Falls Cabin is a chalet in the woods, perfect for a couple’s getaway or family retreat. Beauty Lodge, a large log cabin, is the bed and breakfast with all the comforts of home.
River View Cabins and Canoes
Oden, Arkansas
riverviewcabins-canoes.com
River View Cabins and Canoes, forty miles from Hot Springs and thirty mils from Mena, offers cabins of all sizes, from the cozy one room Sugar Shack to the Bunkhouse which can sleep fifty-two guests! While there, rent one of River View’s mountain bikes or a canoe and use their shuttle service on the Ouachita River for some of the region’s best fishing. Hike, explore the national forest, or hang out in your cabin. Whatever your heart desires.
words MARLA CANTRELL // images FEATURED VENUES
