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Ten years ago, my husband and I planned a weekend getaway to Mount Magazine. The day before our trip, a small winter storm brought snow across much of northern Arkansas. It turned the mountain into a snowy paradise and made that trip one of our most memorable. It felt like being at a ski lodge up north, and it was cozy and romantic.
Arkansas winters are notoriously unpredictable, so catching a scenic blanket of snow is hard to plan on and typically just a matter of good timing and good fortune. Even without snow, a winter getaway can still be enchanting, and there are plenty of great locations for spending a cold-weather weekend in Arkansas. Plan ahead, or the next time a winter storm is predicted, check for last-minute availability and weather the storm in style with your significant other. Below is a list of my favorite cozy Arkansas cabins and lodges that are perfect for a winter weekend getaway.
Mount Magazine State Park
Of course, my list has to start with Mount Magazine, and that magical weekend will always hold a special place in my memory. As Arkansas’s highest peak, Mount Magazine fully embraces the winter ambiance. The mountaintop lodge features an enormous fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows with sweeping views of the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. The lodge rooms are cozy, and the suites include gas fireplaces for a little extra romance.
Nearby cabins share the same panoramic views and come equipped with fireplaces and covered decks with hot tubs, so you can soak in warm water while gazing out at misty mountains or snow-covered forests. Spend the day hiking to Signal Hill or simply unwinding by the hearth with a hot cocoa. The Skycrest Restaurant is open year-round, so you don’t even have to leave the mountain for a good meal. Mount Magazine delivers a perfect blend of beauty and comfort in the winter.
Fireside Retreats | Mountain View
Fireside Retreats in Mountain View offers a wide variety of cozy stays that work beautifully for winter getaways. One of the things that makes this collection unique is the range of locations. Some cabins are right in town, just steps from the courthouse square where live folk music often spills into the streets, while others are tucked into the hills and hollows of Stone County for a more secluded escape.
The accommodations range from simple, cozy cottages to larger creekside cabins made for families, along with a few fun, one-of-a-kind stays. No matter which you choose, you’ll have a comfortable place to land when the weather turns cold. Winter days here are perfect for slow mornings, scenic drives through the Ozarks or exploring Mountain View’s downtown. In the evenings, many of the cabins offer fireplaces or fire pits, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the stillness of a winter night.
Petit Jean State Park
Mather Lodge and the cabins at Petit Jean offer a warm refuge on a crisp winter day. The historic lodge, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, features a grand stone fireplace in its lobby that naturally becomes a gathering place for guests. Just outside, Lake Bailey and Cedar Creek Canyon offer the perfect winter playground for hiking and exploring. If temperatures drop enough, you might even spot icicles near the famous Cedar Falls.
Both the lodge and the cabins have a rustic charm with modern comforts, including kitchens and cozy wood-burning fireplaces in many units. During the day, grab a coffee at the Petit Jean Coffeehouse, a local favorite, and hike trails like Seven Hollows or the Cedar Falls Trail. End the day back at your cabin, fire glowing, enjoying a quiet and comforting winter night.
Eureka Springs Treehouse Cottages
For a unique and romantic winter escape, the Eureka Springs Treehouses are something you won’t soon forget. These elevated cabins sit high among the trees and feel cozy and secluded. Large picture windows bring the Ozark forest right into your living space, and winter views of bare branches or an occasional snowfall make it feel especially peaceful.
Each cottage includes a jetted whirlpool tub and a fireplace that will make cold nights cozy and warm. It’s the perfect spot for couples who want to slow down and stay in. Bustling downtown Eureka Springs is just a short drive away, yet the cottages themselves feel private and tucked away. After a day exploring the town or hiking nearby trails, it’s easy to settle in by the fire, enjoy a quiet evening, and soak in the stillness of winter in the woods.
Photo by William Rainey
Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Perched on top of Rich Mountain, Queen Wilhelmina State Park feels like a true winter retreat. Sitting at Arkansas’s second-highest elevation, the lodge is often draped in fog or sparkling with an early-morning frost, giving the whole place a quiet, almost magical feel. Inside, the fully renovated lodge is warm and inviting, with large windows framing sweeping views of the Ouachita Mountains and stone fireplaces that draw guests in on cold days.
Some lodge rooms feature gas fireplaces, making them especially cozy for winter stays. After a day of exploring, head out to the Lover’s Leap Trail for wide-open valley views, or simply settle in to watch the sunset from the lodge deck. The Queen’s Restaurant is open year-round, so a hearty meal is always close by. Whether you spend your time hiking or curled up by the fire, Queen Wilhelmina offers the perfect mix of comfort, scenery and peaceful winter charm.
Buffalo Outdoor Center
The Buffalo Outdoor Center in Ponca has some of the most beautiful and ideally located cabins in the state if you’re craving a true wilderness feel. Their cabins are scattered throughout the upper Buffalo River area and often include features like wood-burning fireplaces, outdoor hot tubs, and plenty of space to spread out. The location is just as ideal for a romantic getaway as it is for a large family gathering, and you’ll be certain to find a cabin that meets your needs.
Ponca and the Buffalo River area offer some of Arkansas’s most iconic scenery, including Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) and Lost Valley. In the winter, the crowds are smaller, and the views are spectacular, making the trails inviting. If you’re lucky, you can even spot herds of elk throughout the area. On colder days, frost or light snow can transform the landscape into something truly special. After a day of hiking or wandering along the river, evenings are best spent back at the cabin, fire going, dinner on the grill, and the quiet settling in. With dark skies and minimal light pollution, clear winter nights often bring incredible stargazing. It’s the kind of place that lets you enjoy the solitude of nature without giving up comfort.
Mount Nebo State Park
Mount Nebo State Park near Dardanelle is the perfect getaway when you want something a little more secluded. The visitor center doesn’t offer lodging but there are 15 stone-and-wood cabins that overlook the Arkansas River Valley and feel especially peaceful in winter. Many of the cabins were built by the Civilian Conservation Corp and while they’ve been updated, they still have that timeless charm. Wood-burning fireplaces make it easy to slow down and settle in each evening, while mornings are made for coffee on the porch while clouds move through the valley below.
Winter is also a great time to explore Mount Nebo’s trails. The Rim Trail offers panoramic views with fewer people, and the waterfall along the Bench Trail often freezes, adding an extra layer of beauty to the season. If you’re looking for cozy seclusion and understated scenery, Mount Nebo is a wonderful winter choice.
Mountain Harbor Resort & Spa
Mountain Harbor Resort on Lake Ouachita is a great non–state park option. The resort offers a variety of cabins and lodge rooms, many with fireplaces and lake views. Winter brings a quieter pace here, which really lets the lake’s and the surrounding forest’s beauty shine.
Days are perfect for scenic drives around Lake Ouachita, lakeside walks, or simply enjoying the view from your cabin. Grab a bite to eat, then spend the evening by the fireplace or watching the sunlight fade over the water. With on-site dining and a peaceful setting, Mountain Harbor is well-suited for couples or families seeking a relaxed winter escape without feeling isolated. The resort turns 70 this year and is offering 2020 pricing throughout the year to celebrate, so it’s a perfect time to check out this gem of a location.
Devil’s Den State Park
Devil’s Den State Park is a fantastic cold-weather escape, especially if you love cabins. The 17 cabins come equipped with kitchens and wood-burning fireplaces, making them especially cozy in winter. And being tucked into the northwest corner of the state, Devil’s Den sees more snow than many of the other state parks across the state.
Cold weather and snow bring out the park’s quieter side. There is nothing quite like being the first person to walk along a trail following a light snow. On the coldest days, ice forming along Lee Creek adds a beautiful sparkle to the scenery. Winter hikes are peaceful, and spots like the rock dam and lake feel almost secluded this time of year. Evenings tend to revolve around the fireplace, and with limited cell service and no TVs in some cabins, it’s an easy place to unplug, play games or simply enjoy the stillness. Devil’s Den offers a truly rustic and relaxing Ozark winter getaway.
Gaston’s White River Resort
Gaston’s on the White River is a classic Arkansas retreat that’s beautiful in the winter. The resort offers a mix of riverside cabins and lodge accommodations, many with fireplaces and views of the White River. When the weather turns cold, the slower pace here is part of the appeal.
The lodge areas feel especially cozy this time of year, and having on-site dining makes it easy to settle in without going far. Fishing is what draws people to Gaston’s, and thankfully, it’s always fishing season in Arkansas. With fewer guests and peaceful surroundings, Gaston’s feels calm and unhurried in winter.
DeGray Lake Resort State Park
You may not think of lake views during the winter, but you won’t be disappointed with DeGray Lake Resort State Park. Located near Hot Springs, the modern lodge sits right along the lake and offers modern hotel-style accommodations with a good chance of spotting bald eagles. Inside, the lobby fireplace and restaurant are natural gathering spots, especially on cold days.
Winter hiking is also a unique experience with quieter trails and crisp air. Eagle watching is a seasonal highlight as many migrate to the area during the winter months. Eagle watch tours and falconry programs are popular parts of the park’s interpretive offerings, making it the perfect getaway for outdoor lovers seeking adventure.
From mountaintop lodges with grand fireplaces to off-the-beaten-path cabins with personal touches, Arkansas has no shortage of cozy winter weekend getaways. You may not always get that picture-perfect snowfall, but as we learned at Mount Magazine, sometimes everything aligns, and you’ll wake up to a winter wonderland. And even if it doesn’t snow, each of these retreats offers the simple joys to help you create your own magical winter escape.
Photos courtesy of Arkansas Department of Park, Heritage and Tourism unless otherwise noted.
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