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Things To Do in Heber Springs, Arkansas

When you stay at Red Apple Inn in Heber Springs, AR, there’s never a shortage of activities to take part in! There are several great opportunities right outside your room’s door, including golf, swimming, tennis, and our fitness center with spa. Our resort is nestled in the foothills of the Arkansas Ozarks Mountain Range and surrounded by pristine Greers Ferry Lake, offering natural beauty and tons to do in the area.

Contact us to learn more or book now, then get started planning your itinerary from the many activities below:

Golf

Red Apple Inn golf is among the best golf experiences in Arkansas. Our 18-hole championship golf course is located on our beautiful grounds featuring panoramic hilltop views of the lake and tree-lined corridors. The par 71, 6,018-yard course is truly a fun course to conquer! Architect Gary Panks blended the island’s rolling hills, trees, and majestic hilltop vistas into a course that can bring any amateur and expert together. Hole #2 was voted “Most Scenic Hole in Arkansas” by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 2006. For novices, lessons are available from our resident golf pro. Equipment and clothing are available in our on-site Pro Shop.

As a founding member of the Natural State Golf Trail, our natural scenic beauty and year-round mild climate make us a haven for golfers. The 15 courses on The Natural State Golf Trail will challenge your game and embed themselves in your memory banks for seasons to come.

Swim

Swimming is the perfect way to cool off during the high summer temperatures in Arkansas. Whether you want to practice your breaststroke, splash around, or bask in the sun, our property’s two sparkling outdoor swimming pools will suit your every need. On your leisurely walk down to the Inn Pool, stop and take in our beautiful waterfall.

A short drive from Red Apple Inn will take you to Isle Harbor Pool located close to the lake and marina. With Greers Ferry Lake just around the corner, there are several great swimming areas at the Corp parks. Greers Ferry Lake also has several locations to dive and explore the natural clear waters of the Ozarks.

Tennis

Grab your racket and head to one of our lighted, plexi-paved tennis courts. Singles, doubles, adults, and children are all welcome to take advantage of what our courts have to offer! No reservations are needed — simply check in with the front desk to use the lighted courts.

Pickleball

Pick up your paddle and head to one of our pickleball courts. We now have 1 combo pickle/tennis court and 4 Pickleball courts. Singles, doubles, adults, and children, our courts are perfect for everyone!! No reservations are needed — Simply check in with the Pro Shop during regular hours or the Front Desk after hours to use the courts.

Fitness Center

Our state-of-the-art fitness center (open to those 12 and older) features a variety of exercise equipment, two steam rooms, two massage rooms, and a whirlpool. Enjoy the exhilaration of an herbal wrap or salt scrub, or perhaps let your body relax with a hot stone massage or many other types of massage. To book an appointment with one of our massage therapists, ask the front desk and we will provide you with the contacts for the massage therapists.

Fish

If you are wanting to cast a line, Red Apple Inn is conveniently located just minutes away from Greers Ferry Lake and the Little Red River — both are famous for excellent sport fishing!

34,500-acre Greers Ferry Lake is one of Arkansas’ best fisheries. Many fishermen come for walleye fishing, where the world record walleye weighing more than 22 pounds was caught. A national walleye tournament is held on Greers Ferry Lake every year. The largemouth and smallmouth bass, the spotted or Kentucky bass, the striped bass/white bass hybrids, the lake trout, crappie, and bream are all species found in the lake. The new world record hybrid bass weighing 27 pounds, 5 ounces was also caught in Greers Ferry Lake.

The main reason for the Little Red River’s popularity is trout—thousands and thousands that are stocked in the stream on a regular basis. In fact, it is home to the current world record 40-pound, 4-ounce brown trout. There are several expert guide services in the area for species of trout and smallmouth bass. They can guide you for trout on any of Arkansas’ three famous tailwaters or for stalking a wild smallmouth bass in an Ozark mountain stream. There are also several public access areas that are ideal for fly fishing.

Boat

If you feel like getting out on the water, Greers Ferry Lake is the perfect place to slip away for a day to explore. A full-service marina, which offers a variety of rental boats and personal watercrafts, is just a short 3-mile drive from Red Apple Inn.

The Little Red River is generally a good year-round float. The condition of the river is dependent upon generation periods of the powerhouse at the Greers Ferry Dam near Heber Springs. It becomes very swift and dangerous in spots when water is released, but after generation ceases, the Little Red River reverts to a peaceful Ozark mountain stream with long, gentle pools and numerous shoals. During periods of high flow, the river should be floated only by experienced boaters.

Shop

While Red Apple Inn’s Pro Shop does offer everything a golfer might need, don’t let the “Pro Shop” in our name fool you. We also carry beautiful gifts and jewelry as well as souvenirs and active sportswear. Our Gift Shop staff will be happy to create a custom gift basket for any occasion.

You’ll find many gift shops, clothing boutiques, and antique stores around the historic town square. There are also a large number of shopping outlets within a short driving distance, and there are plenty of wonderful places for unique gifts and jewelry in Heber Springs. Aromatique, which is known the world over for its beautiful gifts and wonderfully scented candles, oils, and sprays, is located in Heber Springs, and its official gift shop, Panache features famous small-batch toffee including Southern Pecan Toffee, Molé Toffee, Karma Toffee, and Hoity Toity Toffee.

Hike

Heber Springs trails offer friends and families a healthy and inexpensive activity to enjoy nature while spending quality time together. Close to Red Apple Inn are several forest trails for hiking and taking in the gorgeous views, some of which include Collins Creek Trail (1.2 miles), Bridal Veil/Cornelius Falls Trail (0.6 miles), Mossy Bluff National Nature Trail (1.8 miles), and Sugarloaf Mountain Trail (1.3 miles).

Bike

Whether you enjoy mountain biking in the forest or gliding on pavement near town, there is a biking trail for everyone! Arkansas’ world-class terrain provides a route to fun and adventure for bicyclists and cyclists. Riding here can be done year-round and caters to all levels. Some of Heber Springs’ most popular biking trails include Historic Railroad Bikeway and Pedestrian Walkway (1.2 miles), Levy Spur Trail (1.8 miles), Sulphur Creek Trail (0.5 miles), Tucker Creek Trail (2.3 miles), Garlinghouse Trail (0.5 miles), and Josh Park Memorial Trail (1.3 miles).