Cabins Near Trails in Arkansas
- Renting a cabin near a trail is a good way to bring the comforts of home with you to the wilderness.woodland cabins image by Scott Williams from Fotolia.com
Outdoor enthusiasts will find Arkansas trails primarily in the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita National Recreation areas. Hiking in Arkansas will lead you to breathtaking waterfalls and rock overhangs. You will find engaging and educational pictographs and other Native American history through hardwood forests and wildflower covered hills. Campgrounds, cabins and lodges are woven within these areas, making accommodations readily available, especially in the wake of the summer season. The Arkansas state parks are also a good resource for finding rustic log cabin accommodations near hiking trails and trailheads. - Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, the Buffalo Outdoor Center offers 18 luxury cabins. The resort offers cabins ranging from romantic log cabins that sleep two guests comfortably to the Riverwind Lodge, which is perched atop one of the highest mountains in the Ozarks and sleeps 24 guests. Amenities include full kitchens, hot tubs, gas fireplaces, iPod audio players, front porch swings, barbecue grills and access to the resort's library of DVDs.
Several trailheads are easily accessed from the Buffalo River Cabins area. The 3-mile round-trip Hawksbill Crag, or Whittaker Point, is one of the most popular hikes. Hawksbill Crag is one of the most recognizable and photographed areas of the Ozarks. This overhanging rock hangs out from a tall bluff where visitors can share a picnic lunch. The Lost Valley trail is a 2.3-mile round-trip hike that is ranked No. 9 on the Best Trails in Arkansas by Trails.com. Children will enjoy Eden Falls and nearby, a small underground cave to explore.
Buffalo Outdoor Center
P.O. Box 1
Jct. Ark. Hwys.
Ponca, AR 72670
1-800-221-5514
buffaloriver.com - There are 13 rustic and luxurious log cabins at Mount Lake Magazine, stretched along Arkansas's highest mountain, overlooking the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. There are three different sized cabins to choose from: one, two or three bedroom cabins ranging from 873-square feet to 1,669-square feet. Cabin facilities include a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, fireplace and a hot tub on the wrap-around deck that faces the view of the valley.
There are many trails throughout Mount Magazine State Park. The North Rim Trail trailhead is just west of the Mount Magazine visitor center. The 2.2-mile trail will take you through forests, across creeks and to Cameron Bluff. The Cameron Bluff overlooks the Arkansas River Valley and Ozark Plateau. No trip to Mount Magazine would be complete without hiking the 1.5-mile Signal Hill Trail to the actual highest spot in Arkansas. The 2,753-foot elevation is marked with a large state map of Arkansas and an official survey marker.
Mount Magazine State Park
16878 Highway 309 South
Paris, AR 72855
877-MMLodge (877-665-6343)
mountmagazinestatepark.com - Petit Jean State Park is Arkansas' first state park. It has stunning overlook views and forests with streams carving their way through the wildflowers and other foliage. The park has 21 cabins, all equipped with full kitchens, fireplaces and air-conditioning. Two honeymoon cabins are available that include a hot tub. Twelve additional duplex style cabins, which have two rentable sides, do not have kitchens. The Mather Lodge's Restaurant is a full-service restaurant that is open year round within the park.
There are more than 20 miles of trails at Petit Jean State Park, including the 2.25-mile Cedar Falls trail that will guide you to the park's 95-foot waterfall. The Seven Hollows Trail is a 4.5-mile trail that winds through several canyons within a forest. It contains several geological features, such as a stone arch, and evidence of where Native Americans lived among the bluffs. The Rock House Cave Trail is a short 1/4-mile hike to a large rock shelter that contains ancient pictographs to view.
1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd.
Morrilton, AR 72110
501-727-5441
petitjeanstatepark.com
