Cabins
Step into the past by visiting the 1930's vintage cabins on the
Ozark National Forest. Rent a cabin for an evening atop White
Rock or beside Lake Wedington.
Lake Wedington
History: During the 1930's local men, employed by the Works Progress
Administration (WPA), began building the lake and a recreation
area and planting trees under the guidance of the Soil Conservation
Service. With native oak from the lake bed and native stone and
native skills, the buildings took shape and the lake filled with
clear spring water. By 1954, the trees were tall, and the administration
of the land was passed to the U. S. Forest Service.
In 1988, after 50 years of use, the park needed major repairs
and the WPA cabins had been abandoned. A group of volunteers formed
Friends of Lake Wedington to restore the cabins. With the Forest
Service they continue to refurbish the buildings, update the facilities,
and make the park accessible to all. Lake Wedington Recreation
Area is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
Overnight guests can stay in any of the six recently refurbished
historic cabins with swimming, playgrounds, paddle boats and canoe
rental, volleyball courts, horseshoes, and a snack bar available
during the summer. Lake Wedington has a lodge available for larger
groups for day use only.
For information regarding
the recreation area and cabin rentals please contact the Boston
Mountain Ranger District at 479-667-2191 or by email at lake_wedington@fs.fed.us
Take Arkansas 16 (paved) west from Fayetteville for 13 miles.
Negotiable by camping trailer rigs.
White Rock
History: The three natural stone cabins and lodge on White Rock
Mountain were built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC). The CCC was formed during the Great Depression by
President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Wind, rain, and natural elements caused the deterioration of
the buildings over the years. In 1987, a volunteer group, Friends
of White Rock, formed and began a project to renovate the structures.
With a lot of hard work, the cabins and lodge were restored in
1991. Once again, visitors to White Rock Mountain are enjoying
the scenic views from the cabins. On a clear day you can
see for 40 miles over the Ozarks and surrounding area. Caution,
there are high bluffs around the mountain top. For your safety,
please be careful and keep young children away from the bluff
edge!
The cabins can be rented
year-round. All three feature stone fireplaces and original furniture.
The lodge can accommodate up to 30 people a night. Reservations
for the cabins and lodge can be made by calling the concessionaire
at (479) 369-4128 or their website at http://www.whiterockmountain.com/.
From Mulberry, take Arkansas 215 (paved) north for 15 miles,
continue on Forest Service Road 1505 (gravel) for 8 miles, continue
on Forest Service Road 1003 (gravel) for 2 1/2 miles.
