Has daily routine in Memphis gotten you down? Do you want to take your sweetheart away for a romantic break without having to go as far as the Bahamas? The mountains in Arkansas offer recreation and romance to couples who may choose between enjoying rustic or modern amenities just a few hours drive from Memphis, Tennessee. If you and your sweetheart need a vacation from the bustle of your life in Memphis, then consider all the mountains to the west have to offer.
The Ozarks are home to beautiful clear water lakes and mountain springs. If you’d like to go kayaking and camping on a river, that is available with a variety of skill level requirements for those new to river floats and expert levels for the kayak aficionado. If you’d like a spa vacation with a lovely mountain setting, there are hotels in Hot Springs, Arkansas, available with all the amenities of a spa resort. Tour caverns or hike in the mountains if you like. The Ozark and the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas offer all of this is just a morning drive away from Memphis, Tennessee.
The Silver Run Cabinsof Arkansas are nestled into a woodsy place of respite in northern Arkansas with the Buffalo River inlet only three miles away. Each cabin is unique in style and size. The cabins are very clean and filled with furniture that was hand made by the owner to offer a special artistry to the accommodations. They also have loft bedrooms and fully stocked kitchens for cooking and grilling out. There are complete bathroom and bedroom amenities, so you can go camping without having to pack sleeping bags, linens or towels. The rates for the Silver Run Cabins are incredibly reasonable, starting at about $65 a night in peak season. They don’t, however, allow pets, so you’ll have to leave Fido in Memphis.
Just across the highway from the cabins is Dillard’s Outfitters where you can arrange for a canoe, kayak, or raft along with a drop off at the river. Dillard’s can let you know what the water levels are like on the day of your river trip and warn you if there are conditions unfavorable for a float trip. Go fishing or horseback riding in these beautiful mountains. The Buffalo River is a good river for beginners in most weather conditions and Dillard’s can even arrange for you to take a trip as long as all day or as short as a few hours. If you don’t feel like cooking after your trip, they can even make you dinner.
Dillard’s
12656 Highway 14 South
Yellville, Arkansas 72687.
1-800-423-8731 or 1-870-449-6619.
If you’re more interested in being pampered than navigating on a canoe through the Mountains, then try the Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa on Lake Ouachita in the Ouachita Mountains just south of the Ozark Mountains. This resort is also only a few hours drive from Memphis, Tennessee. Here you will find cottages or condominiums with hot tubs and fireplaces for the perfect romantic hide-a-way with views overlooking the tranquil Lake Ouachita. Escape Memphis for a romantic weekend for two complete with a massage and facial at the Turtle Cove Spa at the Mountain Harbor Resort. Spa services include facials, waxing, therapeutic massage, and holistic treatments. Mountain Harbor Resort is located about 25 miles from the city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. They can be reached at
Water adventures at Lake Ouachita are ideal because Lake Ouachita is considered one of the cleanest lakes in the country. There are over one thousand miles of shoreline on Lake Ouachita, and to make things even more exciting, this lake has over two hundred islands that you can paddle out to and camp on overnight. Camp out on your very own island if you’re more interested in roughing it than being pampered. On the water, you can water ski, jet ski, spear fish, snorkel, canoe, or kayak. You can arrange to go on a barge tour scouting for eagles.
On land you can hike or mountain bike on a number of trails that range in experience levels from easy to difficult. Take a guided trail through the Ouachita National Forest on horseback, or go on a crystal digging expedition in the crystal mines around the Hot Springs and Mount Ida area. Play tennis on one of the three courts available at the Mountain Harbor Resort, or go diamond hunting at the Crater of Diamonds State Park an hour drive from the resort and spa. This is the only public diamond mine in the world, and you get to keep any that you find.
Enjoy a bath in the hot springs of the Hot Springs National Forest in the Ouachita Mountains.
Whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation, Arkansas has plenty to offer the worn out Memphian, so plan your next long weekend somewhere in one of these fantastic mountain ranges just a few hours drive from Memphis.
