Although the official start of Fall is not for a few weeks, milder temperatures lending themselves to weekend getaways for the entire family make this a great time of year to see the sites across the Natural State.
The Ozark Folk Center State Park is the only park of its kind in the country and the only one dedicated to the music, crafts, and culture of the Ozarks.
Located in Mountain View, the Folk Music Capital of the World, the park offers visitors the rare opportunity to watch artisans at work, to stroll through the Heritage Herb Garden, and to hear music played throughout these hills. Open mid-April through mid-November, special features of the park include a Craft Village where more than 20 working artisans create handmade items like baskets, brooms, iron work, pottery, knives, weavings, quilts wood carvings, spun yarn, soap, candles, and more.
These artists are happy to talk about their work, and they also host workshops throughout the year for a more immersive experience with personal attention and instruction. In addition to crafts, music is at the heart of this park. Fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, and autoharp are just some of the old-time instruments that combine to produce that enduring Ozark Mountain sound.
The 1,000-seat Music Auditorium hosts concerts and special events mid-April through mid-November, bringing legendary artists from around the region and across the country to the stage. Workshops are also available for musicians of all skill levels.
You can also be a part of Ozark Highlands Radio, a syndicated program recorded at the park that shares the music and stories of the Ozark region. The weekly program is available on multiple public radio stations or to audiences anywhere on Soundcloud, iTunes and OzarkHighlandsRadio.com. The Heritage Herb Garden is another unique feature of the park where old-time pass-along plants and edible herbs are grown like rosemary, scented geranium, sage, and mint. The Garden functions as a living classroom for workshops and programs. Events celebrating both culinary and medicinal herbs are held in May and October.
When booking a visit, check availability at The Cabins at Dry Creek, with 60 rooms conveniently located on-site.
Enjoy Southern cooking in the Skillet Restaurant, or try the Smokehouse in the Craft Village.
One of Arkansas’s five lodge parks, the Ozark Folk Center also has a conference center with facilities for unique and memorable meetings.
The Ozark Folk Center State Park's famous hospitality is reflected in our Ozark Cabins at the Ozark Folk Center State Park's Cabins at Dry Creek.
Nestled in the Ozark Mountains near Mountain View, these unique cabins offer a pleasing blend of homespun decor, modern comforts and friendly service, making Arkansas cabin rental easy, whether you stay for a night or a week.
Your whole family will love these beautiful Ozark cabins, all at ground level, featuring two queen size beds, telephone, TV, wireless Internet, mini-refrigerator, iron and ironing board and coffee pot.
There are large windows and glass doors that open onto small porches, most with a scenic wooded view. The Ozark Folk Center's Cabins office has a game room and swimming pool (Summer months only) nearby to entertain guests of any age.
Cabin guests may visit the Cabin Office to purchase tickets at discounted prices for Craft Village and Ozark music events.
*Note extra charge of $40 + tax for dog-friendly cabin rentals. You must bring kennel and current shot records. No cats allowed. Loco Ropes, a challenging ropes course and zip line, is located on-site and popular among groups and families.
And the park is located just a stone's throw from the Blanchard Springs Caverns and Recreation Area.
