Experience the 2024 Solar Eclipse on Beaver Lake

2024 Solar Eclipse path of totality over North America

Make your 2024 Solar Eclipse experience even more spectacular with 180 degree views over the Ozarks, here on the shores of Beaver Lake, at Sugar Ridge Resort.

As you likely already know, there will be a total solar eclipse on April 8th, 2024, visible diagonally across the US, from Texas to Maine, including a large swath of Arkansas. Though our portion of Northern Arkansas is not directly under eclipse, we’re just next door, so can still expect a fantastic show.

Partial and total solar eclipses aren’t actually all that rare. In fact, there’s one visible somewhere on the planet just about every 18 months.  What makes them seem so rare is that an eclipse’s “path of totality,” the band of darkness it creates, is actually fairly narrow. If you’re not under that “path of totality,” you see only a partial eclipse – or even nothing at all if you’re too far away.

As I say above, Beaver Lake is not directly under the path of totality, so what we’ll see is a partial eclipse – still an amazing natural show to experience over the lake! Especially with the 180 degree views available from our Beaver Lake, AR cabins and suites.

2024 Solar Eclipse Over Beaver Lake

2024 Solar Eclipse Over Beaver Lake

Solar eclipse totalities, when the moon completely obscures all but the sun’s corona, can last from 10 seconds to nearly 7 and a half minutes. Here in northern Arkansas, the 2024 solar eclipse totality will last as long as 4 minutes.

On Beaver Lake, we can expect partial coverage of the sun to begin on April 8th, 2024, at around 12:37pm. The eclipse peaks at about 1:54pm, and everything will be back to normal by around 3:15pm. That’s nearly three hours of out of this world, natural phenomenon to enjoy!

They say that 180,000 eclipse watchers are coming to Arkansas for this historic, astronomical event. Most, of course, will head deeper into the state to enjoy the full path of totality. For those unable to find accommodations inside the path of totality, or maybe looking for a less crowded, lakeside experience, we suggest a stay at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Not only are our Eureka Springs cabins and suites located high above Beaver Lake with 180 degree views of the surrounding Ozarks but Eureka Springs is just next door. Consequently, our guests can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, scenic drives, stunning sunsets, shopping, dining, festivals, theater, and more!

So go ahead and book your stay at Sugar Ridge Resort for the 2024 Solar Eclipse over Beaver Lake – but do it fast before we’re all booked up!

Learn more about the upcoming 2024 total solar eclipse over Arkansas at www.greatamericaneclipse.com.

At Year’s End – 2023 At Our Eureka Springs Cabins on Beaver Lake

Sugar Ridge Resort Eureka Springs cabins on Beaver Lake

Can you believe we’re almost to the end of the year? New Years’ Eve is just weeks away and we’re left wondering where the time has gone. 2023 was another great year at Eureka Springs cabins on Beaver Lake, filled with wonderful guests and lots of warm memories.

We feel so lucky to be on the shores of Beaver Lake and absolutely love hosting guests at Sugar Ridge Resort. Sharing the area and this special part of the world with others truly is its own reward.

History buffs, art fans, outdoor enthusiasts, music-lovers, shoppers, foodies, and everyone else will find plenty see and do here. The Eureka Springs area is home to an endless variety of attractions. Must-see destinations like Thorncrown Chapel, Cosmic Cavern, Blue Spring Heritage Center, Christ of the Ozarks, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, and so much more.

Eureka Springs active arts community makes sure the event calendar is always full, too. Don’t miss out on popular events like the Original Ozark Folk Festival, War Eagle Craft Fair, Eureka Gras, Ozark Mountain Music Festival, Diversity Weekends, Christmas Parade of Lights, and many others. There’s always something happening in Eureka Springs, AR!

And let’s not forget the natural beauty of Beaver Lake.

The location of our resort, perched high above the lake, provides breathtaking, 180 degree views of the Ozarks and Beaver Lake. We’re also surrounded by endless opportunities for fishing, scenic drives, boating, hikes, and other fun, outdoor activities. You needn’t go anywhere else at all!

After a year of providing accommodation services, nothing is as rewarding as the lovely comments and reviews we receive from our guests. We wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for you, so knowing our efforts have had a positive effect puts a real cherry on top of it all.

2023 At Our Eureka Springs Cabins

Gouri – 5/5
November 2023

My wife always wanted the cabin experience. We stayed here for our honeymoon. It was perfect. The view of the lake was spectacular. The cabin was luxurious and spacious. The furnishings were so comfortable and charming. From morning coffee looking at the fog rise above the lake, to playing the guitar by a roaring fire, to sitting in the hot tub looking out at the stars. And the staff are so friendly and helpful. A perfect stay.

Eureka Springs cabins at Beaver Lake

Andrew D – 5/5
October 2023

Owners are fantastic hosts. We stayed in cabin 6 and it was an exceptional experience. The cabin has everything we could have asked for and the views are incredible! We will absolutely come back and recommend it to everyone.

Andrew Epp – 5/5
September 2023

Honeymoon Suite with my wife for our 7th anniversary. Everything was amazing. The location. The atmosphere. The accommodations. The view. The price. The privacy. The service. The layout of the cabin. It was all so perfect. Couldn’t be happier with this place. Will definitely go again, and I will recommend this to everyone.

Cynthia Wilson – 5/5
June 2023

A paradise overlooking Beaver Lake! The room as cozy and clean and the bed comfy yet sturdy. The jacuzzi tub is a definite bonus. It is a bit outside of town and the road is windy and steep in places but it’s definitely worth checking out of you want a quieter night time experience.

Jerry – 5/5
May 2023

Awesome resort overlooking beaver lake. Rustic cabins with modern amenities staff takes very good care of guests and the property everything you need to relax and have a good time at Sugar Ridge Resort.

Sugar Ridge Resort Winter Special & Gift Certificates

Break in the new year with a relaxing getaway to Beaver Lake and Eureka Springs. Our 2+1 Free Winter Special allows you to enjoy a longer, more laid-back winter getaway, while saving. How?

Book your stay for any 2 nights at our Beaver Lake resort and get a 3rd night for free! Rushing to relax is counterproductive. Why not take some extra time to achieve true relaxation? Sugar Ridge Resort makes it easy by giving you that third night on the house!

Sugar Ridge Resort gift certificates

Best of all, this special is available any 3 days of the week. Take off early for the weekend, extend the weekend, or enjoy a lengthier midweek stay. It’s your choice. Now THAT is relaxing!

The 2+1 Free Winter Special is available January 4th through February 8th, 2024. Book your New Years’ getaway at Sugar Ridge Resort today!

Wanting to gift someone else with a stay at our Eureka Springs cabins on Beaver Lake? You can, with Sugar Ridge Resort gift certificates!

Sugar Ridge Resort gift certificates make an excellent gift. They have no set amount, can be used for almost anything at the Resort, and are good for up to five years from date of issue. Best of all, they’re very easy to purchase. Simply fill out the form, make your payment, and you’re done. Instant Eureka Springs vacay!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Sugar Ridge Resort!

Pivot Rock Park and Natural Bridge

Pivot Rock at Pivot Rock Park

If you enjoy unique rock formations, you’ll want to make time to visit Eureka Springs’ Pivot Rock Park and Natural Bridge, less than a half hour’s drive from our Beaver Lake.

Arkansas is full of fascinating natural wonders. Caves, natural springs, lakes, mountains, and parks that can amaze, baffle, and even inspire you. Of course, guests of our Beaver Lake cabins and suites will not need to go far for that. You can easily fill your days with good ol’ mother nature right here on the lake. Hiking, fishing, paddling, swimming, and so much more.

That being said, sometimes even the best places can get stale and a simple change of scenery can do wonders. Luckily, the surrounding area is loaded with things to see and do, no matter which way you turn. Eureka Springs is right next door, after all. Home to shopping, dining, museums, live entertainment and, yes, plenty of natural attractions, too. Things like Pivot Rock Park and Natural Bridge!

Pivot Rock Park & Natural Bridge

Pivot Rock Park is located a few miles north of Eureka Springs, just off of Highway 62 West, at 1708 Pivot Rock Road. This is, as I mentioned above, just a short and scenic drive from Sugar Ridge Resort.

The park, a small and historic roadside attraction, is full of small caves, deep gullies, and strange, stacked rock formations. In fact, the area is so unique that it was once featured in Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Legend has it the area also once served as hideout for Jesse James and the James-Younger Gang. That’s such a common claim around these parts, however, that you can very much take the claim with a grain of salt.

Visitors to the park pay a small fee to enter and explore at their own pace. Pivot Rock and the Natural Bridge formations are reached via a short hike on a paved trail, through a nicely wooded area.

Natural Bridge at Pivot Rock Park

Natural Bridge is the first big attraction along the trail, found jutting up from the rugged hillside. The trail allows you to view this curious and weathered stone arch from all sides. It really does look like just a bridge, albeit from some fantasy illustration.

Pivot Rock is next along the trail and impossible to miss. The naturally formed, 12 foot tall, upside down, pyramid-shaped rock looks to be balancing on its tip. The top is about ten feet wide, yet the base only around a foot thick! Ripley’s billed it as the largest freestanding rock formation with a base ten times smaller than its top. You’d think it would fall right over but it’s really very stable and the perfect subject for fun photos.

Pivot Rock Park is open March to October, 10am to 5pm, everyday but Thursday. Learn more about the park by visiting it on Facebook.

Those looking to spend a little more time in the area should consider a stop by the stunningly beautiful Thorncrown Chapel, just 10 minutes from Pivot Rock at 12968 US-62, Eureka Springs, AR.

Then it’s just a short hop back to your digs at Sugar Ridge Resort. Perfect!

Discover Beautiful Thorncrown Chapel

Thorncrown Chapel

If unique and beautiful architecture in a truly sublime setting sounds like something you’d enjoy, we recommend a visit to Thorncrown Chapel. The stunningly crafted architectural marvel is nestled in the woods, just 15 minutes from Sugar Ridge Resort.

Visitors to the Beaver Lake Eureka Springs area will find no end of attractions and activities to keep them occupied. Outdoor adventure like boating, fishing, and hiking, along with some of the region’s best art, food, fun, shopping, sightseeing, and more.

The area is home to lots of unique sights and attractions, as well. Natural caverns, springs, and rock formations, along with the fascinating works of man. Things like historic downtown Eureka Springs, Christ of the Ozarks, and Quigley’s Castle. In this latter category, nothing is quite as affecting or beautiful as Thorncrown Chapel.

Thorncrown Chapel

Thorncrown Chapel is located at 12968 Highway 62 West, just outside Eureka Springs, AR, a 15 minute drive from our Beaver Lake cabins.

Thorncrown Chapel interior design

The chapel, built in 1980 by E. Fay Jones, stands on a narrow, wooded shelf on a north slope of the Ozarks. Landowner Jim Reed contracted Jones, who apprenticed with Frank Lloyd Wright, to create a structure that would attract passer-by to worship.

The chapel is simple, yet enchantingly majestic and considered one of the finest religious spaces of modern times. Many think the structure is open to the air when they first see it. That’s because the chapel walls are glass. 425 separate sheets, in fact, comprising over six thousand square feet of glass!

The rest of the chapel, with little exception, was constructed using materials taken from the local wilderness. The intricate and mostly wooden structure rises forty-eight feet up into the forest canopy. The foundation uses more than 100 tons of native stone, topped with colored flagstone, allowing it to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. Inside, angular beams support the peaked roof with perfect, interlocking symmetry.

It truly is a sight to be seen. No matter your personal beliefs, its beauty is universal.

Thorncrown Chapel is open March through November, 9am to 5pm, with occasional closings for special events. Sunday services are 9am and 11am, April through October. November through the third week in December, 11am only. Services last approximately one hour. Everyone is welcome.

Learn more by visiting the chapel online at thorncrown.com. You can also find the chapel on Facebook.

Explore War Eagle Cavern

War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake

Cavers and others after a little underground adventure will enjoy a visit to War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake. This unique cave is not only Arkansas’ only lakeside cavern, it’s also one of Northwest Arkansas’ largest caves, and one of the oldest show caves in the state. Best of all, it’s less than an hour from Sugar Ridge Resort!

There are no end to the activities you can enjoy during your stay at our Beaver Lake cabins. Fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, picnicking, and Eureka Springs is only 20 minutes away.

Those looking for something a little out of the ordinary, however should consider checking out War Eagle Cavern. This unusual lakeside cave is home to three stories of caverns and a wide array of strange formations. Domes, rimstone dams, huge rooms, an underground lake, waterfalls, and more. Even more unusual, a fresh water spring flows out of the cave’s mouth alongside the entry path.

Guided Tours and More

War Eagle Cavern currently offers 3 different tours.

War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake

Traditional Cavern Tours are lead and narrated by expert guides will lead you through the first half-mile of the cavern. You’ll see a variety of natural formations, learn about the cavern’s history, and maybe even see some of the resident bats and salamanders.

Lantern Tours are after-hours guided tours lit only by hand held oil lamps. You’ll also hear stories and history not told on any of the other tours. Spooky fun!

Wild Cavern Tours are just what they sound like: guided tours that take you beyond the well-maintained and well-lit walkways of the main tours.
You’ll twist, crawl and climb through 2 miles of the cave that few ever see to incredible formations, including a 100ft deep subterranean canyon. For the adventurous who don’t mind getting muddy!

After you’ve finished your tour, don’t hurry off. There’s more to see and do.

A variety of scenic hiking trails lead from the cavern, through the forest, to lovely natural waterfalls and expansive views of Beaver Lake. You can also wander down and feed the fish in the lake from the boat dock.

War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake

Those looking for further entertainment can enjoy gemstone panning, the Lost in the Woods maze, or exploring the mysteries of the Moonshiners’ Mystery Shack. There is also an on-site gift shop.

War Eagle Cavern

War Eagle Cavern is located at 21494 Cavern Drive in Rogers, AR.

The cave is open daily, March 5th through Thanksgiving Weekend, 9:30am to 5pm. The last cavern tour leaves at 4pm.

Learn more at the cavern website. You can also find the cavern on Facebook.

Spend a few hours at War Eagle Cavern, perhaps with an added stop for lunch at the nearby War Eagle Mill Bean Palace, yum! After that, it’s a just a short, scenic drive back to your cabin at Sugar Ridge Resort. Lovely!