Great Escapes 2003
Your guide to great vacations spots

NOTE: This story was printed in June of 2003. Pricing and time related information may have changed.

The region is chock-full of horse-friendly getaway spots, with something to suit just about everyone. Whether you've never sat astride a horse in your life, you're a novice rider looking for a opportunity to improve your skills or a lifelong equestrian in search of unexplored terrain, there's a place within shouting distance that caters to you.
So if you're looking for a place to saddle up and head out on an outdoor adventure, look no further. Have we got some places for you.

Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
When it comes to guest ranches, Barry and Amy Johnson know their stuff: They met while working on a guest ranch in Wyoming (Amy's from Utah; Barry's from North Little Rock). And they couldn't have picked a more picturesque locale for their own place. Nestled in a deep valley fronted on one side by imposing limestone bluffs and the other by dense woodlands, Horseshoe Canyon is a feast for the eyes. And in terms of area accommodations, it most closely matches the image of the classic dude ranch.

Location: 7.5 miles west of Jasper off Hwy. 74
Owners: Jerry Johnson and his son, Barry Johnson
How long in business: 5 years
Size of property: 350 acres, with additional access
Accommodations: Main lodge plus 6 cabins; none of the cabins have TV or telephones; TV room in the lodge.
Rates: Weekly - summer: $945 adults, $840 children 8-12, $485 children 3-7, free children 2 and under, $840 non-riders; spring/fall: $755 adults, $650 children 8-12, $380 children 3-7, free 2 and under, non riders $650. 3-night minimum in season; 2-night minimum off-season.
Bring your own horse? Only during the off season - with advance notice; $10 a day. The ranch has between 50 and 60 horses, of all breeds. "We don't have any gaited because they're too fast," Amy Johnson says; "mostly stock types."
Season: end of May-Dec
Meals included: Yes
Other activities available: Hiking, rock climbing, swimming pool, youth program (includes "Buckaroo Ranch," which introduces young kids to farm animals), canoeing on the Buffalo National River
For more info: (800) 480-9635; Web site: www.horseshoecanyon.com

Bar Fifty Ranch Bed & Breakfast Lodge

The Bar Fifty Ranch is a beautiful cattle and horse ranch situated on 200 acres just 20 minutes from Hot Springs. In addition to extensive riding trails, the Bar Fifty has a lovely patio and cabana with sauna, hot tub and swimming pool. Paddle boating on one of the three ponds is also available.

Location: About 6 miles east of Bismarck
Owners: Bette Clay and Julian McKinney
How long in business: 6 years
Size of property: 200 acres
Accommodations: Lodge with 2-room suites, plus 4 cedar log cabins; horsecamp/RV camp, and tent camping.
Rates: Lodge: $80 per night for 2 with breakfast included; $15 per additional person age 4 and up. Cabins: $120 per night for 2 (breakfast not included); $10 for each additional person age 4 and up. 2-night minimum in cabins. 2-night minimum in lodge during holidays. RV hookup (includes water, electricity and a pen for the horses): $20 per night. Tent camping: $7.50 per night. Horseback rides: $18 for about an hour and 15 minutes (group rates for 7 or more).
Bring your own horse? Yes. Negative Coggins required. Barn: $15 per stall per night; 2 or more nights $12.50. Pen with cabin: $5 per night. The owners have 15 gaited horses available for trail riding.
Season: Open year-round
Meals included: Breakfast in the lodge; rooms have microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker; cabins have full kitchens.
Other activities available: Catch-and-release fishing, paddleboating, hiking, swimming pool/hot tub/sauna, horseshoes, volleyball
For more info: (888) 829-9570 or (501) 865-4757; Web site: bbonline.com/ar/barfifty

Spirit Mountain Lodge and Cabins

Owners Rex and Gwen Benham have plenty to offer those who are interested in horses. The property boasts three barns (one of which includes a small indoor arena and all of which have electricity, treated water and natural gas) plus plenty of pasture. But the real draw here is the land itself. This is some beautiful country.

Locations: 18 miles north of Ozark on Highway 23
Owners: Rex and Gwen Benham
How Long in Business: 5 years
Size of Property: 250 acres
Accomodations: Wide range, including a 5,000-square-foot lodge (which is rented only in its entirety and includes 8 bedrooms, only 3 of which have private baths), 2 authentic log cabins, a turn-of-the-century Sears-Roebuck catalog farmhouse and a barn loft
Rates: Cabins - $92-$120. Barn loft: $102. Both based on double occupancy. Lodge: 1-6 guests, $375; 7 or more guests: $44 per guest.
Bring your own horse? Yes, $10 per night. Negative Coggins required (no stallions). No horses available for rental.
Season: Open year-round
Meals included: Breakfast is included if you stay in the lodge; other meals can be catered on request
Other activities available: Canoeing on the Mulberry River at Turner Bend; guided backpacking trips and day hikes, fishing, wine tasting and winery tours at 4 nearby wineries, two golf courses within 30-minute drive, cave exploring
For more info: (479) 667-1919; Web site: www.spiritmountainlodge.com

Lum's Mountain Guest Ranch

If you've ever driven north on Highway 65 toward Harrison, you've seen Lum's - the barrage of signs announcing its arrival is impossible to miss. And with that row of re-created frontier town storefronts, the emphasis on the L'il Abner brand of tourism is also impossible to miss. But behind all the aw-shucks hillbilly charm is a real slice of history (after researching the history of the buildings here, which once housed a furniture factory used to make ammunition boxes during World War II, owner Lum Ellis got the place listed on the Arkansas Register of Historic Places).
And just around the corner (actually, over the ridge) is some beautiful country. So if it's unexplored territory you're looking for, you'll find it in abundance here.

Location: Highway 65 between St. Joe and Pindall
Owners: Lum and Donna Ellis
How long in business: 5 years
Size of property: 150 acres
Accommodations: 7 cabins (all but 1 can sleep 4; 5th sleeps 5). RV park, tent camping, 2 bunkhouses
Rates: Package for cabins including 2 nights' lodging and 5 meals for 2 (bring your own linens) - Weekends: $75; weekdays: $65 (other options available). Bunkhouse: $10 per night. RV/horse camp: $16 per night for 2; $2 per additional adult, $1 per child. Tent camping: $4 per person per night. Group rates available.
Bring your own horse? Yes, $5 per night for corral. Negative Coggins required. Owners lease horses for trail riding; various breeds. Riding is guided; however, "If the riders are experienced enough, they can go off on their own," Ellis says. Covered box stalls are available
Season: April 1 -Nov 15
Meals included: Yes, meals included in Guest Ranch plans (all-you-can-eat-catfish and barbeque dinners Friday and Saturday nights for $8.95)
Other activities available: Trail rides, hiking, fishing pond, rock hounding, shopping, canoeing nearby (shuttle available to the Buffalo National River), live musical entertainment Friday and Saturday nights at on-site theater, overnight campout trail rides, petting zoo for children
For more info: (870) 439-2678; Web site: www.lumsmountain.com

Tickled Pink Equestrian Resort

This resort, located in the beautiful mountains of Southeast Oklahoma, has nearly 50 miles of marked equestrian trails that wind through creeks, mountain vistas, old logging roads and through pine trees.

Location: Between Big Cedar and Octavia, OK off Highway 259
Owner: Sharon Gilstrap
Size of property: Adjacent to 725,000 acres of Department of Wildlife land with 250 miles of marked horse trails with maps
Accommodations: 4 cabins (2-12 guests), shower houses, covered pavilion with an outside fireplace
Rates: Camping $15 per night, Cabins $95-$200 per night, $5 for outside corrals, $10 for covered stalls
Bring your own horse? Yes. Current Negative Coggins and health papers required; no hay or feed furnished
Meals: Gas grills available
Season: Open year round
Special Amenities: All cabins have a coffeemaker, microwave, linens, dishes, pots and pans
For more info: (580) 244-3729; Web site: www.tickledpinkranch.com

Shelton's Big Flat Getaway

If you're looking for beautiful scenery without the noise and hustle bustle of the city, then this is the perfect getaway for you. Nestled in the heart of the Ozark Mountains and bordered by the Ozark National Forest, Big Flat Getaway is a great place to kick back and relax.

Location: 20 miles from Marshall on State Hwy. 14
Owners: Shawn & Kim Shelton
Size of property: 135 acres
Accommodations: 1 furnished cabin, that houses up to 10 people
Rates: $65 per night for 2; $5/per additional person
Season: Open year-round
Bring your own horse? Yes; uncovered stabling is available.
Meals: None Provided
Special Amenities: Completely furnished cabin, linens, pots and pans
Other activities available: 12 miles from Blanchard Springs, 20 miles from White River, 20 miles from Mountain View, access to the Buffalo River from the Ranch
For more info: (870) 448-5952

Lazy Apple Lodge & Cabins

Situated in the Boston Mountains near Deer, Ark., The Lazy Apple Lodge, Cabin and Ranch is a great place to enjoy the beauty, peace and tranquility of the scenic Ozark Mountains. Discover forest ponds and mountain streams that only horseback riding can bring.

Location: Near Deer; the lodge and cabin are located near the Highway 7-Highway16 intersection. The ranch is located about 6 miles from the lodge off Highway 16 and County Road 183.
Owner: Bill Mizaur
How long in business: 2 years
Accommodations: The lodge has 3 motel suites, located on the lower level, available for nightly rentals; new this year is the 3 bedroom cabins, located near the lodge.
Rates: Lodge rooms are $50 per day with a $25 per day deposit; Cabin rooms are $100 per day for 2 persons; $10 per day per additional person; children under 6 stay free; a 50% deposit is required for rooms at the cabin
Bring your own horse? Limited lodging available; horses available on site for guided horseback riding
Season: March 1- Dec. 1
Meals included: Restaurant on site
Special Amenities: Rooms come equipped with a queen-size bed, TV and DVD players, coffeepot, refrigerator and phone.
Other activities available: Nearby are the Buffalo National River, Mystic Caverns, hiking trails in the Ozark Mountains, "Arkansas, Grand Canyon" and Scenic Highway 7.
For more info: (870) 428-5409; Web site: www.ozarkcabins.com/lazyapple

Buffalo River Ranch Resort

Relax to the sights and sounds of the Ozark National Forest as you canoe the Buffalo National River, fish in the private stocked pond, or explore the Indian Creek hiking trails. The Buffalo River Ranch Resort also has the area's only indoor arena, with 19 private horse stalls.

Location: 6 miles west of Jasper
Owner: Jim Culver
Size of property: Adjacent to Buffalo National River Park
Accommodations: Separate men and women bunkhouses; cabins available
Rates: Bed $25; stall $10; camper $15 plus stall fee; a deposit is required
Bring your own horse? Yes, $10 per stall; hay and feed available
Meals: Kitchen facilities avaiable
Season: Open year round
Special Amenities: Bunkhouses are available with showers and linens, a roomy kitchen, an outside grill and tables with plenty of seating; washer and dryer; indoor horse wash
Other activities available: Eureka Springs and Jasper are nearby; Branson and Springfield, Mo., nearby. Mountain biking; scenic drives; wilderness adventures; craft and antique shopping; caving; golfing; crafts, watchable wildlife; lakes
For more info: (870) 446-2778; Web site: www.buffaloriverranch.com