Arkansas is an outdoor lover’s paradise in the American South, with lots of fascinating destinations with trails to hike and bike, rivers to float, lakes to fish on, and even hot springs to take a soothing dip. Known as the “Natural State,” Arkansas is filled with beautiful wooded places, calming landscapes, tasty cuisine, and friendly locals. To help you explore all that this state has to offer, here are some of the best resorts in Arkansas for your next vacation.
Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa, Mt. Ida
Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa in Mt. Ida has been continuously voted the best resort in Arkansas, and it’s easy to see why. It has been family owned and operated since 1955 and offers luxury cabins and guest rooms along Lake Ouachita. The resort also rents out boats and houseboats at its marina. There’s an onsite restaurant for lake-view dining, three swimming pools, conference and wedding venues, and miles of hiking and biking opportunities on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail. The cottages and condo lodging options have full kitchens with all the items you need to cook delicious meals. The resort is also home to the Turtle Cove Spa, which offers massages, body treatments, facials, crystal energy work, manicures and pedicures, and holistic therapies. Package deals are available for romantic couples and family fun.
Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Bay, Fairfield Bay
Located about 75 miles north of Little Rock, Arkansas, Wyndham Resort at Fairfield Bay is also a great pick for your vacation. The resort spans 14,000 acres and offers boating, waterskiing, fishing, two golf courses, multiple pools, tennis courts, an indoor hot tub, and hiking/biking trails. Other resort amenities include six restaurants, massage services, mini golf, disc golf, a health club, and a playground. This is a secluded resort that is a great getaway spot if you’re looking to escape busyness and distractions. Wi-Fi hot spots are available here, though. Come here to enjoy a spacious resort condo and have all the comforts of home with a variety of floor plan options.
Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa, Hot Springs National Park
Hot Springs National Park is a top vacation destination in Arkansas, and you can stay right at the historic site when you book a room at the Arlington Resort. This has been a premier destination resort since 1875 and has nearly 500 rooms and suites for guests. Onsite, you’ll have a spa and salon, a thermal bathhouse where you can bathe in the famous mineral springs, and be right on Bathhouse Row. Just outside your door, you’ll have easy access to the area’s museums, restaurants, and art galleries. Dining and drinking options here include the Friday Night Seafood Feast at the Venetian Dining Room, cocktails and entertainment at the Lobby Bar, and Sunday brunch. Twin outdoor pools are open seasonally, and the hot tub and fitness room are open year-round.
Sugar Ridge Resort, Eureka Springs
You can also enjoy Arkansas’ Beaver Lake when you stay at the Sugar Ridge Resort in Eureka Springs. This is a great vacation excursion for couples and families with 75 acres of land and 180-degree views of the lake and the Ozark Mountains. Guests enjoy the cabins with in-room jetted tubs, private decks and access the adjacent Dam Site Park with its boat ramps and hiking trails. There are four lake-view suites, six couple’s cabins, and two two-story family cabins. There are also public fishing areas nearby on the White River. While you’re spending time in this part of Arkansas, check out the three mountain biking trail systems in Eureka Springs, attend Corvette weekend in October, and explore the charming architecture and shops of this historic town.
Lake Lucerne Resort, Eureka Springs
Also in this area, you can stay at the Lake Lucerne Resort, which is just a couple of miles away from downtown Eureka Springs. This is a 40-acre boutique resort with historic cottages available with one, two, and three bedrooms. Onsite you’ll find some rooms with jetted tubs for two, fireplaces, pet-friendly accommodations, spacious decks, and birdwatching opportunities. All cottages come with full bathrooms, linens, heat and air conditioning, coffee stations, microwaves, refrigerators, and televisions. It’s also fun to add on packages to your stay, such as farm fresh eggs, fruit baskets, red roses, spa baskets, or in-cottage massages.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park, Bismarck
Arkansas has some amazing state parks, and you stay right inside one when you book a room at the DeGray Lake Resort State Park. The resort has 96 guest rooms, a conference center, and lovely views of the surrounding landscape. Each room here has complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen televisions, mini-fridges, coffee makers, and other in-room amenities. Outside, there’s a heated outdoor seasonal swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, sand volleyball court, bike rentals, and playground. The park itself is excellent for hiking, water sports, horseback riding, and golf.
1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa, Eureka Springs
The 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa has 72 rooms and suites, as well as four luxury cottages, 15 acres of gardens, a pool hot tub, and walking trails. Guests here enjoy days at the spa, the nightly ghost tours of the hotel, and multiple dining options onsite. Take advantage of the planned activities offered here to take the hassle and guesswork out of trip planning. For example, guests can take fitness classes, join a craft beer tasting, try hatchet throwing, join a poker night, practice yoga, and do much more while staying at the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa.
