On the banks of the South Fork River, surrounded by hardwood forests and meandering creeks, is Cherokee Village, the first planned recreational town in Arkansas. A jewel of the Ozarks, Cherokee Village encompasses 13,000 acres of land, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. On a weekend getaway, you could find yourself water-skiing or fishing on one of the seven lakes, hiking past waterfalls along nature trails, or bobbing downstream on a river float trip.

Golf is another of Cherokee Village’s main attractions: the town has two 18-hole golf courses. Play at the North Course and you’ll be teeing off against a backdrop of spectacular scenery along the banks of the South Fork. If you’re seeking more of a challenge, take your clubs to the South Golf Course, whose fairways run through the Cherokee Village mountains. At the town’s recreation centers, you’ll find six swimming pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, pickleball courts, and fitness facilities.

The lakes will feel especially refreshing in the summer, when temperatures peak in the area. This is also the time of year to seek out the Spring River Farmers’ Market, held every Saturday between May and August. If you’re looking for a more temperate climate, May, September, and October are particularly good months to book Cherokee Village vacation rentals. In spring, wildflowers bloom along the trails, and fall serves up spectacular scenes in gold, red, and brown as the leaves change. Winter brings fewer visitors to the area, so you’ll be able to enjoy the region with smaller crowds. You’ll find the parks and walkways nearly deserted, and hunkering down in front of an open fire at the end of the day will feel especially rewarding. Spring sees a rise in visitors again as the weather starts to warm; this is the most popular time of year for golf.

Lakes

Waterskiing, fishing, and sailing are all favorite activities on the Cherokee Village lakes. Lake Thunderbird, the biggest in the area, boasts an impressive seven miles of shoreline and is popular for watersports, as is Lake Omaha. The smaller lakes like Aztec, Cherokee, and Navajo are quieter and make ideal fishing spots.

Mammoth Spring State Park

Home to one of the world’s biggest springs, Mammoth Spring State Park showcases an impressive natural cascade — nine million gallons of water flow every hour into the 10-acre lake below. The park also has picnic sites and hiking trails, a children’s playground, and a museum housed in a restored train depot. The Arkansas Welcome Center at the park has a wealth of information about activities statewide.

Fishing

Anglers travel from far and wide to reel in brown trout, walleye, and hybrid bass from the lakes and rivers in the area. For cold-water fishing, there are award-winning trout rivers, including the popular nearby Spring River, which is about a 25-minute drive from Cherokee Village.