Hello,
We are 2 families planning a 2 - Day trip to Arkansas from Dallas, we would like to spend a day %26amp; night at the cabin%26#39;s in the Mountains , however not sure which one to choose - Nebo, Petit Jean or Devil%26#39;s Den.
We have couple of toddlers with us, so can%26#39;t get too adventurous.
We definitely want to visit hot springs and want to stay at a mountain cabin.
Any good advise/ideas on how to plan our trip, should we stay at the cabin%26#39;s first and then go to hot springs or vice versa, just not sure what makes sense.
Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance
Arkansas Trip Plan help
All three parks you mention are great. The cabins and lodges are mostly WPA era and very picturesque and well maintained. Devil%26#39;s Den is a beautiful place with great cabins but is a bit further away from Hot Springs if you want to be somewhat close to that city. Mt Nebo cabins are quiet, somewhat isolated from each other and some have dramatic views of the valley. If I recell correctly, I think cabin 61 has the best view, but carefully question the ranger if you make reservations as the views and isolation vary among the cabins. Petit Jean is the closest to Hot Springs of the three. Its cabins are a little closer together than those at Nebo and generally have less dramatic views, but they are fine. The lodge there has some views and is an interesting WPA era building. Petit Jean offers many fun things for kids. There is a lot of water on the mountain - dramatic waterfalls, a lake, and a beautiful creek you can hike along. Last time we were there we rented a large ';Teepee'; in their camping area and that was great fun. The kids loved it. A canoe came with the TeePee and we paddled in the lake. Petit Jean has a ';bear cave'; hiking area which is really pretty and there is even a very large playground in the park which my daughter loves. You might look at a 4th possibility - Mt Magazine, Arkansas%26#39;s highest peak, and newest lodge and cabins. It has only been open a year or so and I%26#39;m told the kinks in their food services are somewhat worked out. It is a beautiful place. Don%26#39;t overlook it but it is a longer distance from Hot Springs than Petit Jean or Nebo. As to Hot Springs, with the kids, there are all kinds of possibilities. From the venerable old Arlington Hotel for an historic urban experience, to the newer downtown Embassy Suites, or renting a condo on one of the lakes (my daughter%26#39;s favorite). Do not miss the Midamerica Museum, which has recently upgraded and added exhibits. Garvans Gardens is nice and fun, and a walk around the national park%26#39;s hot springs is always of interest to kids. Have a great time. You have selected two of Arkansas%26#39;s treasured experiences, Hot Springs and the great state parks.
Arkansas Trip Plan help
Thanks for your detailed reply. We really appreciate it.
One thing though- should we go to Hot springs first or the Mountains if we are coming from Dallas, what makes more sense?
We just returned from Petit Jean and were not impressed with it. The falls looked like someone forgot to turn off the bathroom sink it was so SMALL. All the extra miles we drove to see it were wasted.
That%26#39;s what is so great about this site, everyone has their opinion. We have been going to Petit Jean for decades. Our parents loved it and our kids love it. Many Arkansas waterways are rain dependent and if there is no rain, then the rivers and falls reflect that.
As to whether you go to one of the State Parks first or after Hot Springs. I would guess it is about 5-1/2 hours or so from Dallas to Hot Springs with the State Parks you are considering another hour or more. Wth a car full of kids, I%26#39;d be ready to roost at the first opportunity.
Hey fellow Texantourist,
We just got back yesterday from Arkansas and here%26#39;s what I can tell you. We went from the Ozarks (Jasper), down hwy 65 to Little Rock to see Clinton Library, then across to Hot Springs and then home on I-30 thru Texarkana.
Although the leaves are best on Hwy 65, 123 and basically at the top of Route 7, the fastest route over would be I-30, or I-40. We took I-75 through Okahoma to Fort Smith and then I-40 over and I don%26#39;t think the scenery was worth the extra time on that route.
Although the national parks are lovely, the foliage is not very spectacular, and they have not had enough rain to make the streams and falls really amazing. (about 15 inches under their water level). The leaves at Hot Springs are surprisingly blase. I have been to HotSprings when the leaves are just awe-inspiring, but I guess they didn%26#39;t get enough rain this year. So, you might want to cabin at one of the closest state parks and then drive north for the foliage (if that was what you wanted to do).
The bathhouses at HotSprings are undergoing alot of renovation, so there is a bunch of construction, but there are alot more bathhouses than I remember and the whole town is really cute, of course.
Depending on what your travel priority is, I would probably suggest doing the cabin thing first and then making a day of Hot Springs on the way home. Then you can just jump on the highway and roll home. The reverse (Hot Springs, then up to cabin) would add more travel time on the way home, because the route is not very direct from any of those parks to Dallas.
My two cents, for what it is worth.
BoilinginTexas
No comments:
Post a Comment