Since 2013, Beckham Creek Cave Lodge has been under the management of Rayne Davidson. The lodge—located in Parthenon, Arkansas—was converted from a naturally formed cavern, which presently features four bedrooms that can accommodate eight to twelve visitors in total. In addition to modern amenities, such as heating/air conditioning, WiFi, and Netflix, Beckham Creek Cave offers several activities and services that visitors can utilize, including hiking, UTV rides, kayaking, and frisbee golf, among other pastimes. The Ozark-St. Francis National Forest is a prominent attraction near Beckham Creek Cave Lodge that tends to draw a considerable number of outdoor enthusiasts. For those who are hoping to view the wooded landscape around Beckham Creek Cave, Rayne suggests that they visit the Buffalo National River, as it comprises waterfalls and limestone bluffs.
Encompassing 256 acres in northern Arkansas, Beckham Creek Cave Lodge is a lodge that was converted from a natural cavern. The cave contains a total of four bedrooms, each equipped with its own bathroom. It should be noted that the four bedrooms cannot be reserved individually, as the lodge itself is reserved as one unit. The property is situated in a fairly mountainous and wooded area near the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest. Rayne Davidson, the manager of Beckham Creek Cave Lodge, describes the location to be secluded and private.
The lodge itself is 5,800 square feet and two stories high. On the top floor, a honeymoon suite that features a private master bedroom is available for visitors to occupy, which is supplied with a king- and queen-size bed. In the words of Rayne, the decor and furniture arrangement on both levels of the lodge exhibits an "urban revival theme" throughout the bedrooms, kitchen, and living room. Rayne also mentions that the living room, kitchen, and dining area are relatively spacious, offering "all of the modern conveniences" that one might find in a standard hotel. In addition to utensils and dishes, a six-burner gas stovetop, a double oven, and a refrigerator are provided in the kitchen for guest use. One particularly notable element of the living area is the Spanish Piano Waterfall that was naturally formed. The Spanish Piano Waterfall is a rock formation that is "the focal point in the living room," as described on the establishment's website.
Those who are staying at Beckham Creek Cave Lodge are also given the option to hire an on-site chef who can buy groceries and prepare meals for them over the course of their stay. This chef can organize picnic lunches for people who intend to spend the day hiking or exploring the surrounding area. Moreover, dietary restrictions can be accommodated, provided that the chef is notified in advance.
Outside the lodge, the acreage is characterized by several unique features. A natural waterfall descends from deep inside the cave, courses under the floor of the lodge, and falls into a pool that overflows and creates a waterfall. This waterfall then cascades down the front of the lodge into a pond, which is inhabited by fish that visitors are welcome to catch and release. The owners of Beckham Creek Cave Lodge can provide kayaks for those who are hoping to undertake water recreation on the pond. Furthermore, the premises features what is known as Hammock Haven where guests can engage in frisbee golf, horseshoes, corn hole, or, as the name implies, relaxing on the hammocks. Near the parking area outside the front of the lodge, a fire pit with seating is available for visitors to utilize at their leisure as well.
The owners of the establishment offer a UTV ride service that is complimentary to every guest's stay. On these UTV rides, visitors can be transported to the property's hiking trails, some of which lead to a viewing platform where the encompassing landscape can be seen. Rayne remarks that patrons can also be taken to a natural formation of "house-sized boulders that the Native Americans used thousands of years ago." Caves and waterfalls can be toured via UTV ride as well. All of the previously mentioned destinations that guests can observe during this UTV service are found throughout the property's private land.
Beyond the extensive acreage of Beckham Creek Cave Lodge, those who are staying at the lodge can visit several attractions, the majority of which pertain to outdoor recreation. "If you like nature, then you may love coming to Newton County," Rayne presumes. She often suggests that guests hike the neighboring national park, Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, or go trout fishing. The Buffalo National River—located in fairly close proximity to the lodge—courses through limestone bluffs that reach about 100 feet tall, according to Rayne. Waterfalls are also found throughout various points of the river. With regard to nearby restaurants, some of the dining options that Rayne recommends are Cliff House Inn, Low Gap Cafe, and Ozark Cafe.
Rayne, the manager of Beckham Creek Cave Lodge, and the owners have the goal of helping guests "feel like they're at home" during their stay. She also expresses that she wants visitors to "have a connection to mother nature." In an effort to provide this experience to those who visit Beckham Creek Cave, Rayne says that the incorporation of the outdoor fire pit, water features, and the earth itself can create an atmosphere that allows patrons to "feel at peace." Likewise, the owners try to make guests' experiences more personal by having their on-site caretaker accompany visitors to the lodge and show them around the property upon arrival. Rayne says that walkie-talkies are supplied for occupants to contact the on-site caretaker if they have any questions or if they would like to request their UTV ride.
Though the business itself does not organize events, Beckham Creek Cave Lodge occasionally receives groups that host spiritual or corporate retreats. The owners of the establishment are currently in the process of developing the lodge to operate as a wedding venue; however, until the property obtains this functionality, guests cannot hold weddings.
A few notable policies are enforced at the lodge that people are expected to conform to during their stay. In view of the lodge's nature theme that dogs can mistake for the outdoors, pets are strictly prohibited from staying at the establishment. Rayne adds that parents are advised to "keep control of their kids" as they may come into contact with "trip hazards." Finally, patrons should be aware that smoking is not permitted inside the lodge or anywhere on the grounds.
Beckham Creek Cave Lodge is open year-round, with the busiest season commonly occurring from spring to the end of fall. Rayne observes that this is seemingly due to the weather conditions and temperatures, as the winter season is "a little too cold to enjoy the outdoors." The lodge accommodates "every age group," according to Rayne; as such, she says that there is not a typical demographic of guests that stay at the cavern.
Rayne believes that Beckham Creek Cave is primarily known for the lodge's unique cave structure. She explains, "We try to provide a platform where people can come and experience Arkansas's natural beauty." A number of reviews have mentioned the nature-themed atmosphere of the lodge and its outdoor feel, among other aspects of the property. One visitor who previously stayed in the cavern commented in a review, saying, "[There are] a lot of nearby things to do in the outdoors. The hosts were great, and they let us see the back of the cave and gave us a tour of the property." Another former patron described the cavern as "visually stunning while having all of the amenities needed in a home. Everyone couldn't get over how comfortable the beds were and how quiet it is inside."
In the late 1980s, what is now known as Beckham Creek Cave Lodge was simply a cave that one of the original owners, John Hay, converted into a "fallout shelter in case of a war," as explained by Rayne Davidson—the present manager of the establishment. Eventually, John sold the shelter to an individual who utilized the structure as a nightclub. Rayne comments that during the nationwide Prohibition Era in the United States, the cave was used to make moonshine; however, prior to this, Native Americans inhabited the area, which was determined through the discovery of Native American artifacts throughout the property's acreage.
Beckham Creek Cave Lodge supposedly holds significance to local lore, as Rayne speculates that Jesse James, an American outlaw, and his gang would use the cavern as their hideout during the time they spent in the Newton County area. Rayne believes that this theory may be true because the owners have a newspaper clipping of Jesse James attending a wedding about an hour away from the property.
It wasn't until 2013 that Beckham Creek Cave Lodge underwent remodeling for three years to become what it is today. Rayne mentions that she was the one responsible for the renovations, and she has been managing the property ever since. Her favorite part of being the manager is "when guests walk in and their minds are blown." Rayne hopes that Beckham Creek Cave can allow guests to feel as if "they can reconnect with nature and they don't have to leave their luxury to do it."
1110 NC 8641
Parthenon, Arkansas 72666
United States
Urban Revival
