Robber’s Cave
For Memorial Day Weekend my husband and I decided to take a last minute trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, by way of Robber’s Cave in Wilburton, Oklahoma. I had been to Robbers Cave when I was a kid, and Dirk had never been. We’ve been on a mission to visit as many State Parks as possible this year so it was on the list.
The drive in to the park is breathtaking. Trees canopy the roads and give a sense of tranquility. The staff are knowledgable and keep the park in pristine conditions. Rain came in before we could explore all of the trails. Therefore, we will definitely be returning with our hiking boots.
Robbers Cave is most famously known for being the hideout of Belle Starr & Jesse James. You can read more about the State Park and it’s history here.
Eureka Springs
From Robber’s Cave, we headed to Eureka Springs. We’re the kind of people that fly by the seat of our pants; so, we had a hard time finding a place to stay. Air BnB can really be a life saver. We ended up at a bed & breakfast called The Ridgeway House, which looked like Dolly Parton exploded all over the place. It was quaint and cozy; and there were doilies EVERYWHERE! We loved it! Our host was such a sweet gentleman, he even brought us each a slice of cheesecake when we arrived. :)
Eureka Springs is a quaint, Victorian town. It’s built around, not into, the hills it calls home. Natural Springs are found throughout the historic downtown. This was once a bustling vacation getaway known for it’s bath houses. Currently, it has more of a laid back, anything goes mentality. Although, The Palace Hotel still operates a bath house that is not to be missed. None of the intersections are at 90 degree angles, and most of them are on steep hills. So, we recommend driving a vehicle with an automatic transmission. We try to come to Eureka Springs at least once per year, so we’ll save a full write up for another day.