Arkansas is known as the Natural State, thanks to all of its natural beauty.
And among all of the mountains, wildlife, and water sits some very inspiring castles.
Though these are man-made, they fit right into the natural beauty surrounding them and give both residents and visitors, even more, to be in awe of.
Below, you’ll find a guide to ten amazing castles in Arkansas – ranging from some very large structures to some mini-marvels.
Contents
- 10 Most Beautiful Castles in Arkansas
- Arkansas Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
- I want to visit all of these castles. How long should I plan to spend in Arkansas?
- What’s this Princess Tea Party that happens at the Castle on Stagecoach?
- Are there really abandoned ghost towns in Arkansas?
- Are there any other gems to discover in Arkansas?
- Is Franklin County Jail really haunted?
- Which is the best castle to visit with children?
10 Most Beautiful Castles in Arkansas
If you’re planning a getaway to Arkansas, be sure to consider adding these castles to your list of things to see.
1. The Castle on Stagecoach
In the midst of Little Rock sits a magnificent home that is known as the Castle on Stagecoach – or more simply, the Castle House.
This charming structure was built in 1935 for the Koch family.
It was designed with unique architecture – complete with an elegant tower.
Over time, several families owned the Castle House, and it’s still a private residence today.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to visit.
The Castle House is home to some of the most beautiful weddings, as well as bridal showers, Princess Tea Parties, photography sessions, corporate events, and more.
They even offer carriage services.
2. Dromborg Castle
If architecture is your thing, the Dromborg Castle sits in Fayetteville among the Ozark Mountains.
This beauty of a landmark was handcrafted with more than 4,000 tons of rock – and they are quite the site to see.
The 12,000-square-foot structure is also made with solid walnut, oak, and cherry, providing you with some incredible carvings and sculptures to marvel at.
If that’s not enough, the Dromborg has a large observation deck that overlooks the beautiful mountains and surrounding trees.
Currently, this castle is for sale, giving you the perfect opportunity to explore every inch – and buy it if you’d like.
3. Stonehaven Castle
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live in a castle, you can easily get a taste of Stonehaven Castle in Eureka Springs.
This beautiful stone home was built in the 1950s by a master stone mason – and it shows.
The home has 15-foot vaulted ceilings and delightful architecture.
It’s sitting on 52 private acres for you to explore and reconnect with your family.
It is available for rent on sites like VRBO, but you can also book weddings and other events – and relive your fairy tale over and over again through incredible photos.
4. Eureka Springs Castle Treehouse
While you’re in Eureka Springs, consider spending a night or two at the Eureka Springs Castle Treehouse.
There are actually three treehouse castles, but all of them provide a bit of magic.
They are basically mini castles and they are quite intriguing.
They were inspired by a castle that the owners saw on a visit to England – to be clear, the castle where Harry Potter was filmed.
Each of them comes with beautiful architecture and a lot of fun, including a tower Jacuzzi and “secret passage” showers.
You can also enjoy a covered deck, as well as electronic amenities.
5. Castle Rogue’s Manor
Though lodging isn’t available, Castle Rogue’s Manor in Beaver – just outside of Eureka – is a great place to explore.
It was built in 1985 by Smith Treuer, but it took him nearly two decades to complete his work.
The castle sits on 20 acres and is 15,000 square feet of art and fantasy, including bronze dragons that actually breathe hot air.
If you’d like to see the awesomeness of Castle Rogue’s Manor, it’s open for tours, as well as weddings and other events.
It also provides an incredible view, which makes it great for taking photos.
6. Lacey Michele’s Castle
There is a very sweet – yet sad – story behind Lacey Michele’s Castle.
Shelby Ravellette built it for his daughter who passed away before reaching the age of 10.
He had made her a promise to build her a castle and he chose to keep that promise even after her passing.
It is truly a thing of beauty fit for a little princess – especially the courtyard and gardens.
Now, Lacey Michele’s Castle is often used for weddings, bridal showers, and simply to escape from the rush of life.
The flowers, stone structures, and wildlife make a marvelous backdrop.
7. Quigley’s Castle
Sometimes, it takes nothing more than a dream and a strong will to make things happen – and that can be seen through Quigly’s Castle.
Elise Quigley dreamed of – and designed – a home that suited her desires for a large family and a unique experience.
She and her husband brought this dream to life using materials they found on their land and rocks Elise had been gathering since she was a child.
In addition to many other features that you can explore on tour, the couple left an open space of soil along the walls where Elise planted tropical plants that have grown up the walls.
8. Ozark Medieval Fortress
Believe it or not, there is a 13th-century French castle sitting in Lead Hill, Arkansas – and it’s called Ozark Medieval Fortress.
In truth, it wasn’t built in the 13th century.
Instead, a man named Michel Guyot undertook a project to build a replica of a 13th-century French castle, complete with siege weapons of that period and even workers in costumes.
For a time, this castle provided a fun, educational experience for visitors.
Unfortunately, the site closed down several years ago due to financial constraints, but there is hope that it will reopen someday.
9. Hillside Castle
Hillside Castle is another option for lodging in Arkansas.
It’s been referred to as “wacky” by some, but it’s loved by all who visit.
Located in Mena, this 16th-century style castle gives you a great place to reconnect with your partner – or disappear for a while.
You don’t have to worry about being disconnected, though, as it has WiFi and other modern amenities.
Outside, you have a large spread of land to explore and many activities to enjoy – as low-key as lounging by the water or as adventurous as paddle boating and ziplining.
10. Franklin County Jail
Surprised to see a jail on this list? You’re not alone.
To be fair, it was never an actual castle or meant to be a magnificent residence.
Instead, it was built to be what it was – a jail.
The reason it lands on this list is that it very much resembles a castle – although, it might seem like a haunted one to most.
The Franklin County Jail was designed with sandstone from the area, an incredible Roman-inspired arch for the entryway, and a roof with battlements.
It’s described as a “fortress,” which is what castles were used for in the first place.
Arkansas Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Arkansas Safety Review
Safety Index:- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
I want to visit all of these castles. How long should I plan to spend in Arkansas?
If you wanted to rush it, you could see them all in just a few days.
That would ruin a lot of the experience, though.
If you really want to enjoy the castles, aim to spend at least a week – two, if at all possible.
That amount of time would allow you to spend a night or two in each of the castle lodges and spend a day touring the other locations.
What’s this Princess Tea Party that happens at the Castle on Stagecoach?
It’s a fairy tale come true – especially for little girls.
Once a year, Elsa, Jasmine, Cinderella, and other princesses show up for an actual English tea service.
The tea attendees get to enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride, a dance lesson, a tiara, a wand, and a photo to boot.
This event will have your daughter feeling like the royalty she is and give her some awesome memories to look back on for years to come.
Are there really abandoned ghost towns in Arkansas?
If you love spooky scenes, Arkansas has plenty of abandoned towns for you to enjoy, including Four Gum Corner, the Arkansas Post, Daleville, and Bolding.
These are great places for people who love to explore haunted settings, but you might want to leave the kids with a sitter.
Are there any other gems to discover in Arkansas?
In short, the answer is yes.
Arkansas is covered in history, natural beauty, and plenty of fun to discover.
Some places to add to your itinerary include Alma Aquatic Center, Gunner Pool Recreation, Beaver Lake’s Ghost Town, the Lakes of Cosmic Cavern, and Ozone Burger Barn.
There are hot springs for enjoyment, too.
And, if you really love history, go explore the Jacob Wolf House.
Is Franklin County Jail really haunted?
That’s something you will have to decide for yourself.
The walls of the jail are still covered with writings by prior inmates, and the jail has been abandoned for quite some time.
All of this leads to eerie feelings for those that choose to experience jail in person.
Which is the best castle to visit with children?
That really depends on your kids’ interests, how many you have, and how old they are.
Older children would likely enjoy visiting all of the castles on this list.
Younger children love to see the Eureka Springs Castle Treehouse, as it looks like something straight out of a movie.
Unfortunately, it’s not a very large structure, so if you have more than one child, it might get a little tight.
Stonehaven Castle is a good option for kids, though, as there is a lot of space both inside and outside.
And for little girls who love princess movies, Lacey Michele’s Castle is a great option.
Arkansas is truly a state of natural beauty, and the addition of these man-made castles only adds to its charm and awe-inspiring atmosphere.