I’ve stayed in enough places around my beautiful state to know that a stay in an Arkansas cabin is special. It’s sipping coffee while watching an Ozark Mountain sunrise and not hearing a sound but the birds, or ending the day looking at more stars than you’ve ever seen before!
Every cabin on this list makes you feel as if you are really getting away from it all. They all have some space around them. They might be on a bluff, near a lake, or maybe just tucked away in the woods.
Not all of these are rustic, either. Yes, some of the places on this list are classic log cabins, but others are sleek, modern and luxurious.
Between Emily and me, we’ve personally stayed in several of these cabins and have visited or seen others during our travels around Arkansas. The rest are places that stood out to us because of their setting, excellent guest reviews, or just a glorious back porch!
Best Cabins in Arkansas
Here are 12 of the best cabins in Arkansas for your next getaway.
Longbow Cabin at Longbow Resort (Prim)
If you’ve lived in Arkansas long enough, you’ve probably heard someone mention the Longbow cabin at Longbow Resort. It’s a “you have to see it to believe it” kind of place.
The cabin sits in a box canyon on Longbow Resort’s 1,200 acres. It’s built right up against an 18-foot sheer cliff wall, with a 30-foot waterfall plunging into a natural pool just outside the back door. In other words, you will have your own personal waterfall and swimming hole.
It’s pretty small, so this one’s better suited for a couple or a small family than a big group. The resort has been run by the Pearson family, descendants of archery legend Ben Pearson, since 1992, and it is remote. Bring your own groceries and don’t expect to have Wi-Fi service.
In the Trees Resort (Hot Springs)
I’ve stayed at In the Trees Resort multiple times, and it is such a luxurious experience. The fact that it has heated bathroom floors alone will let you know what to expect.
The resort sits just outside downtown Hot Springs on 550 acres in the Ouachita Mountains. They have a mix of treehouses and cabins in different sizes. Even with multiple cabins on the property, it never feels crowded. You really will feel tucked away on your own.
The hot tubs are the highlight. Most look straight out over the trees, and there’s nothing like sitting in one at sunrise with coffee, watching the fog sit over the mountains. Every cabin also has its own fire pit, and they leave deer feed for guests to use if they feel like having a little company in the evening.
If you are planning a trip to Hot Springs check out our entire guide for the area!
Reel Life White River Cabin (Mountain View)
This adorable Reel Life cabin sits right on the bank of the White River, about 5 miles outside the town of Mountain View. For those who don’t know, Mountain View is a place where folks pull out guitars and fiddles in the middle of the square and play music at the drop of a hat.
The cabin itself is raised up on stilts, with a screened-in porch underneath it and stairs leading straight down to the riverbank. Imagine the fishing! And for those who remember their grandma’s sleeping porch, the screened porch here has a “boat bed.” It’s a literal boat with a mattress inside. It looks like a perfect spot for a nap!
Reel Life sleeps up to four, so it would be nice for either a couple or a small family. I haven’t stayed here myself, but a 4.97 rating from 183 reviews is hard to argue with.
Lucky Star Lookout (Jasper)
The Lucky Star Lookout seems to be the perfect cabin for families who are exploring the Buffalo River region of Arkansas. It’s only about 10 minutes from Jasper and only 10 minutes from the Buffalo River, but tucked away and private.
The kid-friendly features here are hard to beat: a 5-foot slide off the deck, a swing set, two kayaks included with your stay, and a loft with bunk beds built for a family. Then there’s the hidden movie room tucked behind a closet in one of the upstairs bedrooms. This is one of those “core memory” places for kids.
Adults get their own space too, with two separate king bedrooms and a hot tub on the deck.
If you are planning a trip to Jasper take a look at all the great things to do in the area.
Mount Nebo State Park CCC Cabin (Mount Nebo)
Did you know that Cabin 1 at Mount Nebo State Park was the very first cabin rental in Arkansas State Park history? Not only that, but many of the CCC-built cabins at Mount Nebo are still standing and bookable today.
These cabins are simple but beautiful, with the stone and hand-hewn log construction you expect from the CCC era. They have full kitchens and wood or pellet stoves, and most have outdoor seating where you can sit with the whole valley in front of you.
In fact, twelve of the park’s 15 cabins sit right along the bluff, with the Arkansas River Valley stretching out below and Lake Dardanelle in the distance.
From what I’ve seen, Cabin 8 has one of the best unobstructed sunset views, while Cabin 3 sits right at Sunrise Point. If the view matters to you, I’d ask about those when you book.
These aren’t luxury cabins, they’re historic ones, and, in addition to the view, that’s part of the appeal.
Unique Glass Cabin (Eureka Springs)
This unique glass cabin has an entire temperature-controlled glass room built onto it looking out into the forest. You can sit out in the trees no matter the weather.
The cabin is on Red Bud Valley Resort just outside downtown Eureka Springs. It is surrounded by forest with no neighboring cabins in sight. It feels private even though you’re only minutes from town. Inside, it sleeps four with two queen bedrooms upstairs, reached by spiral staircases. There’s also a covered outdoor staircase if you’d rather skip the spiral with your luggage.
Two wood-burning fireplaces make this a perfect option for a winter stay, and outside there’s a grill, an outdoor fireplace, and a picnic table under the trees.
Guests also get access to the rest of Red Bud Valley Resort, including hiking trails, catch-and-release fishing, and a canoe.
We have a list of all of our favorite things to do in Eureka Springs if you are planning a getaway.
A Quiet Place Mountain Escape (Mena)
We have stayed at A Quiet Place Mountain Escape many times, and I suspect these cabins might be some of the most secluded on this list. They sit on 60 acres bordering the Ouachita National Forest, about 20 minutes outside the town of Mena. The cabins have their own hot tubs, an infrared sauna and an outdoor shower.
There’s also a private spa cabin on site where you can book a massage. It’s a nice excuse to just stay, relax and never leave the property. However, if you’re up for a little adventure, the cabins are near Wolf Pen Gap ATV trails.
Inside, the A-frames are especially cozy. They have squishy sofas, tons of soft throw blankets, soaking tubs with forest views, and beds that make it hard to get up in the morning.
Buffalo Moderns (Gilbert)
Echo is one of three cabins at Buffalo Moderns, and the name definitely fits. It sits about 2 miles from the Buffalo River’s Gilbert access, with floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room that make the forest feel like part of the house.
The kitchen has an island with bar seating, which is a nice touch if part of your trip involves actually cooking instead of eating out.
It sleeps up to six. There’s a queen bedroom on the main level, plus two more queens in the loft. Outside there’s a private deck with a pellet grill and a fire pit, and after a day floating or hiking near the river, the hot tub is right there waiting.
I like that Echo gives you the Buffalo River experience without the traditional log-cabin look.”
The Crows Nest (Ozark/Mulberry River Area)
I think The Crows Nest is a good name for this 3-story cabin. It sits right on the edge of a bluff in the woods, with a creek and waterfall that you can hear from the deck while sipping your morning coffee. Getting down to them does require a steep hike.
There are hammocks strung underneath the top deck for when you want to relax with a book or take a little nap.
The cabin is only a few miles from the Mulberry River, ATV trails, Byrd’s Adventure Center and the famous Pig Trail. When you’re not out floating, riding or exploring, there are games like cornhole at the cabin and a fire pit for after dark.
As I mentioned, the property sits directly on high bluffs, so this probably isn’t the spot if you’ve got young kids who need constant supervision or anyone in your group is uneasy with heights.
We have a great road trip in this area that includes two of the iconic Arkansa roadtrips.
Trout Lodge at Two Rivers (Norfork)
The Trout Lodge at Two Rivers is one of the best cabins on this list for a larger group. It sleeps 16+ across four bedrooms and has two full kitchens and living areas. Basically, it’s built more for a family reunion or group fishing trip than a quiet getaway for two.
The setting is one of the main reasons I included it. The lodge sits right where the White River and Norfork River meet. There’s a nice lawn, private dock and direct river access, so you can wade in, cast a line or launch a fishing boat right from the property.
The upper and lower decks face the sunrise over the water, and the 7-person hot tub is a perfect way to end a day of fishing.
Cedar Springs Cabin (Hot Springs)
Cedar Springs Cabin has some unique amenities that I’ve never seen at any other cabin. There’s a putting green in the yard, a swinging bed in an outdoor gazebo, and a kids’ area with a playhouse, little outdoor kitchen, picnic table and tipi.
Most interesting of all is the theater room built inside a bus that’s been buried on the property.
The cabin sits on the outskirts of Hot Springs, about 20 minutes from Hot Springs National Park, with mountain views from the upper balcony. It sleeps up to six with a king bedroom and a bunk room. I think it’s a perfect choice for a family.
Modern Cabin with Pool and Hot Tub (Mountain View)
The Modern Cabin in Mountain View is the only cabin on this list with a full in-ground pool. It’s open seasonally from around April through mid-October and sits about 65 yards from the cabin. The pool area is fenced and private, with its own covered area and a fridge stocked with ice.
The property sits on a hill overlooking a 300-acre farm, with a creek, ponds and fields guests are welcome to walk or drive around. There’s also a hot tub on the porch, a Solo Stove fire pit, and a front porch made for sitting and taking in the view.
It sleeps up to 10 across two bedrooms plus a daybed with a trundle, so it’s a good choice for a bigger group or a family who wants both a pool day and a quiet porch evening in the same trip.
It’s less than 10 minutes from downtown Mountain View, so the town square and Blanchard Springs Caverns are both close by. One thing worth knowing: the owners do mention that the driveway is steep, so it may be a rough go if your vehicle sits low or struggles on uneven terrain.
Which Arkansas Cabin Should You Choose?
Still having trouble deciding? Here’s how I’d narrow it down:
- Best for a peaceful retreat: Longbow Cabin
- Best luxury cabin: In the Trees
- Best for families: Lucky Star Lookout
- Best for a large group: Trout Lodge at Two Rivers
- Best historic cabin: Mount Nebo State Park
- Best traditional river cabin: Reel Life White River Cabin
- Best modern cabin: Buffalo Moderns
- Best for a secluded getaway: A Quiet Place Mountain Resort
- Best unique cabin: Unique Glass Cabin
- Best for outdoor adventure: The Crows Nest
- Best quirky family cabin: Cedar Springs
- Best cabin with a pool: Modern Cabin with Pool and Hot Tub
Final Thoughts on the Best Cabins in Arkansas
I don’t think there is one single “best” cabin in Arkansas. It really depends on what you want from the trip.
You can sleep beside your own waterfall at Longbow, wake up on the White River, stay in a historic stone cabin on the edge of Mount Nebo, or spend the weekend somewhere sleek and modern with a hot tub overlooking the trees.
That’s one of the things I love about cabin getaways in Arkansas. You don’t have to go far to feel like you’ve gotten away from everything for a while.
Now the hard part is deciding which one to book first.
