Thunder Mountain Cabin and Camping

Here are things to know before booking…

Number of Guests: Cabin groups can be up to four people. Camping groups may only have two people. No parties or events. Guests can enjoy the entire 80-acre property on their own since we do not overlap stays. (No campers are there while cabin guests are present and no cabin guests while campers are present.) Solo travelers are welcome too.

Pets: Pets are allowed outside the cabin. We may allow a pet indoors for cabin guests without children. Please ask first for inside pets. Camping guests are welcome to bring one pet as long as they are well-behaved and stay outside.

Wi-Fi and Cell Reception: Cell reception is poor but Wi-Fi calling usually works very well with our new fast fiber. Verizon customers will have some signal at the cabin, on the hilltop meadow, and by the entrance, but almost none if you have AT&T. The Wi-Fi is very good and usually fast (200Mbs). Enjoy streaming TV and working remotely from the cabin. Due to the remote location, fallen limbs can cause the Wi-Fi to stop working, but that is a rare issue.

Boats and Kayaks: Kayaks, tubes, and a paddle boat are available all year at the base of the steps. Since they sit outside all the time, you might want to bring a small dark towel to wipe them down (or just rinse off in the river).

Security, Safety, and Cameras: The property is monitored by outdoor security cameras. Guests are given instructions to turn them off. We consider this remote location to be safe, even for solo travelers, and we provide detailed safety instructions to our guests.

Activities: The river, outdoor bathhouse, and trails are the property’s best attractions. (More details below) There are outdoor games (tetherball, ladderball) and indoor games and puzzles. A 32″ smart TV has streaming capability, a DVD player, and VHS player.

River: The 80-acre property extends across both sides of the river with about 1/3rd mile of secluded frontage. It is deep and wide in some places, and shallow in others. Depths range from 1ft to 4ft in most places with a few deeper swimming holes at about 6-7ft deep. During droughts, those depths drop about a ft lower but the swimming holes stay deep.

Outdoor Bathhouse: The outdoor shower and antique tub are a guest favorite! Guests tell us that they never want to bathe indoors again! The bathhouse is secluded enough for privacy, yet open and surrounded by nature and views of the river and Ouachita mountains.

Outdoor Toilet: There is an outdoor flushing toilet for camping guests (separate from the bathhouse). Cabin guests have a full indoor bathroom as well and don’t have to use the outhouse unless they want to.

Trails: Four miles of trails help guests explore the property on both sides of the river. Most are in good condition and are over rolling hills. They are best suited for walking or mountain biking. ATV’s are not allowed on the trails.

Campfires and Firewood: There is a firepit near the cabin, and one near the river. Both may be used as long as there is no burn ban. Firewood may be gathered from anywhere on the property.

Check-in and Check-out: Check-in and out times are usually noon (arrive anytime after noon, and leave before noon). Arriving early or leaving late is sometimes possible. Just ask first.

Accessibility: Unfortunately, the property is not recommended for those who have difficulty with stairs. There are four stairs from the parking area into the cabin, and 118 steps from the back porch down to the river. Some of the trails have rocks, roots, and ruts. The floating dock and river are accessed down small wooden steps with no railing.

Driving Accessibility: The last 1 mile to the cabin is a dirt road. The first half is pretty smooth, but the second half has ruts and a very steep hill that may make it difficult for low-ground-clearance vehicles. Rain and ice in the winter can also make the last 1/2 mile more difficult.

Winter Stays: The paddle boat, kayaks, tubes, and dock are usually available all winter. The cabin is heated with electric heaters and mini-splits. The bathhouse may need to be winterized between guests from November to February. Un-winterizing the bathhouse is a 3-minute process that guests can do themselves if they want to use it. They’ll need to re-winterize it before temperatures fall back below freezing.

Camping or Cabin? Camping guests will enjoy all the same amenities as cabin guests, except they will not have access to the inside of the cabin. Campers should bring their own tent or camper, and all of their own supplies. They will still have access to the grills, decks, bathhouse, outhouse, kayaks, trails, outdoor furniture, etc. Power, water, and Wifi are available at the cabin but they may choose to camp anywhere on the property. The cabin calendar is allowed to fill in first, and then camping dates will fill in between cabin guests. Camping guests do not overlap with Cabin guests.

Any other questions before booking? Feel free to message us through FB, Instagram, or email thundercabin@yahoo.com