How to choose a cabin near Hot Springs

The Ouachita Mountains around Hot Springs are full of cabins. Here is how to pick one that matches the trip you have in mind.

Decide on the setting

Near the lakes

Cabins around Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine and Lake Ouachita put you close to the water. Lake Ouachita, formed by Blakely Mountain Dam northwest of town, is the largest lake entirely within Arkansas.

In the woods

Cabins up in the hills trade convenience for quiet. Expect longer drives to restaurants and groceries.

State park cabins

Lake Catherine State Park rents fully equipped cabins, many of them 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps buildings, and most have wood-burning fireplaces. Lake Ouachita State Park also has cabins, some with spa tubs.

What to check in the listing

Road access. Some cabins sit on steep or gravel drives. Ask whether a regular car is fine, especially after heavy rain.
Heat and firewood. Is the fireplace wood-burning, gas or decorative? Is firewood supplied?
Hot tub care. Ask how often it is drained and cleaned between guests.
Internet and cell service. Coverage can be thin in the hills. If you need to work, ask for a speed test.
Who you call. Inside city limits the host must have a local manager who can be on site within 60 minutes. Outside the city, ask who responds and how fast.

Questions to ask the host

Is the cabin inside Hot Springs city limits, and if so what is its STR license number?
How many guests does it sleep under the city's limit of two per bedroom plus two?
What is the drive time to the nearest grocery store?
Are pets allowed, and is any of the yard fenced?
Is there anything about the cabin guests often find surprising?

Compare the total price, not the nightly rate. Cleaning fees, pet fees and taxes add up. In the city of Hot Springs, stays under 30 nights carry about 14.5% in state, county and city taxes, which Airbnb and Vrbo collect at checkout.

Stays we have checked

We only feature cabins here after we have confirmed the listing is real, active, and (inside city limits) licensed with the City of Hot Springs. We do not rank properties or accept payment for placement.

Verified stays

We only feature real, bookable cabins stays that we have confirmed with the host. None are listed yet. If you run one in Hot Springs and want it considered, email us or call 501.365.1001.

Common questions

Why is there no top 10 list here?

Our old list described properties we could not verify, so we removed it. We now feature only listings we have checked are real and licensed, and we do not rank them.

How much are taxes on a Hot Springs rental?

Inside city limits, stays under 30 nights carry about 14.5% in state, county and city taxes. Airbnb and Vrbo collect them at checkout.

Are state park cabins a good alternative?

They are a solid option near Hot Springs. Lake Catherine State Park and Lake Ouachita State Park both rent cabins through Arkansas State Parks.

Ask us about a stay

Send us your question about staying or hosting in Hot Springs and we will point you to the right local resource.

Sources

Questions about short-term rentals in Hot Springs?

Call or text 501.365.1001, or send a note and we will get back to you.

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