Cabin rentals at Arkansas State Parks
By: Zoie CliftAmong the overnight options available to experience at Arkansas State Parks are cabins. Arkansas has 52 state parks and cabin rentals are available at 12 of them.
A wide range of cabins are available, whether you are wanting to stay in a historic Civilian Conservation Corps structure, a modern cabin with a view, one that is dog-friendly, and more.
Cabins are available year-round at Arkansas State Parks and fall and winter are a particularly popular time to stay in them.
Staying at a cabin is a memorable park experience.
“You can get away from the hustle and bustle and be within nature with the amenities of home,” said Jeannine Bruner, Revenue and Sales Manager at Arkansas State Parks. “The park offers more than just a place to stay. There’s hiking trails, visitor centers with exhibits, biking options, in some places horseback riding, golf courses, swimming pools, lakes to swim in. It’s a one-stop place.”
Bruner added that the cabin amenities that are offered along with the fact that you have a place to stay where you can just park the car and go is also a benefit.
For those that might be unfamiliar with the process of renting a cabin, Bruner said a first step would be to visit arkansasstateparks.com or arkansas.com and review the different parks and cabins that are offered. Via the park pages visitors can research both the parks and cabin options, check their availability, and reserve them directly.
Along with reserving online, calling the park directly is also an option and in some instances it is the route that would be needed if for instance you are looking to book a dog-friendly cabin.
The cabins available at Arkansas State Parks can be found across the state and are a way to experience the breadth of natural terrain and state parks that Arkansas has, from mountain parks to lake parks and more. Many cabins have views and there are dog-friendly options as well as ADA accessible ones. There are full-service cabins with housekeeping as well as camper cabin options too.
“We have several CCC cabins, anywhere from rustic A-frames to a little bit more modern,” said Bruner. “Mount Magazine State Park[cabins] have hot tubs on their decks. So really there's a lot to them. We pretty much have a range of different types of adventures or experiences…[Visitors] certainly should be able to find the experience they're looking for.”
Below is a rundown of where one can find cabin rentals at Arkansas State Parks.
Crowley’s Ridge State Park near Paragould has both cabins and camper cabins available. Crowley’s Ridge is part of the landscape and is among the park's distinctive features. The park itself, which opened in the 1930s, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, CCC. Among the structures they built was a group lodging area still in use today. It can be found on four acres of the park and has a view of Walcott Lake. There are five bunk cabins here for group lodging and the park also has four furnished duplex cabins on site and one rustic cabin to rent. For more information about this state park, check out this Arkansas State Parks article.
This state park in the Northwest region of Arkansas has Civilian Conservation Corps history, Monument Trails, and more. There are 17 cabins here that have features like fireplaces and kitchens. Many of the cabins were built by the CCC in the 1930s and some are also dog-friendly. There are also nine camper cabins one can rent, which have beds, screened porches, dining tables, outside grills and more. Please note that you bring your own linens for these camper cabins and there is no kitchen or bathroom in them though there is heat and air conditioning.
This lake state park near Hot Springs has many cabins, including ones built by the CCC. There are 20 cabins here that range from ADA accessible options, dog-friendly ones, a cabin with a patio overlooking the lake, cabins with wood burning fireplaces, studio cabins converted from historic fishing barracks, duplex cabins, and more. More details about this state park can be found in this Arkansas State Parks article.
This state park near Lake Village highlights the largest natural lake in the state. It has 14 cabins, including options with lake views and views of the woods. Some features of these cabins include kitchens, linens, heat and air and being ADA accessible.
Lake Fort Smith State Park can be found on the western side of Lake Fort Smith in Northwest Arkansas. The 10 cabins found here have features like full kitchens and outdoor seating. Options range from one to two bedrooms and Cabin 2 is dog-friendly. There are also ADA options available.
Lake Ouachita State Park can be found near Hot Springs and can be found on the eastern end of the state’s largest lake. There are eight cabins at this state park, including some that overlook the lake, some that are dog-friendly, some that have fireplaces, and some that are ADA accessible. There are also four camper cabins in the park’s campground. A look at the park’s cabins can be found here. More details about Lake Ouachita State Park can be found at the Arkansas State Parks article.
This state park in the southern section of Arkansas is a popular fishing destination. It has five two bedroom cabins that overlook the water. Some are dog-friendly and ADA accessible. Cabin features include a kitchen, screened deck and more.
This state park can be found at Mount Magazine, the highest point in the state. There are 13 cabins here, which include bluff views. There are one, two, and three-bedroom options and features include kitchens, covered decks, fireplaces, and more. There are also dog-friendly and ADA accessible options.
This state park is the second oldest state park in Arkansas and can be found atop Mount Nebo near Dardanelle. The CCC built many of the cabins at Mount Nebo State Park and Cabin 1 was even the first cabin rental at Arkansas State Parks. The park has 15 cabins and 12 of them are located along a bluff. Some cabins are dog-friendly and have a fireplace or wood stove. You can check out a view of the cabins here. This state park has many trails to enjoy, many which were also built by the CCC. Mountain biking on the park’s Monument Trails is also big here.
Ozark Folk Center State Park near Mountain View helps preserve the musical and cultural heritage of the Ozarks. The park is open seasonally from mid-April to mid-October. The places you can stay here are called The Cabins at Dry Creek and are more outdoor entrance lodge rooms rather than a full service cabin. They are even considered one of the five state parks that offer lodges in the state. The Cabins at Dry Creek have suites available and there are dog-friendly and ADA options. Please note that these cabins offer only a microwave and small refrigerator and that no kitchen is available. Guests that stay here also have access to discounted tickets to the park.
This state park has a memorable place in park history as Arkansas’ first state park. Near historic Mather Lodge are 33 cabins you can stay at that can be found along a bluff, some offering kitchens. Another is a short drive away in a separate part of the state park. Dog-friendly and ADA options are also available.
Village Creek State Park
Village Creek State Park is one of five Arkansas State Parks where you can experience Crowley’s Ridge. It is also the state’s second largest state park. Here you can walk along a preserved section of the Trail of Tears, experience multi-use trails, and play a round at the park’s golf course. There are 10 cabins to stay at here and they include kitchens. Some are dog-friendly and ADA accessible.
Bonus: Mississippi River State Park
On a side note, camper cabins are also available at Mississippi River State Park at the Storm Creek Lake Recreational Area Campground. These 5 camper cabins have beds but you must bring your own linen and features include a screened in porch, outdoor grill, dining table and more. These camper cabins are dog-friendly and some are ADA accessible too.
Zoie Clift
Zoie Clift is a writer for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
