What to Expect

A Candid Guide for our First Time Guests

Getting Here

You’ve made the decision to come to Harbor! We’re so excited! We love welcoming guests for the first time because Harbor is our home and you are our guests. And, like any good host, we want you to know everything about what to expect your very first time at Harbor.

Our physical address for your GPS is 994 Mountain Harbor Road, Mount Ida, AR 71957. We are located in west central Arkansas on the shores of stunning, wilderness Lake Ouachita, about 12 miles east of the tiny town of Mount Ida and 24 miles west of historic Hot Springs, Arkansas, just off Highway 270.

When you turn off Highway 270 onto the Mountain Harbor Road, turn off or shun any directions from your GPS – it will take you on a wild goose chase and drop you off in the woods! And, you don’t need it anymore. Once you turn onto the Harbor road drive just straight through about 2 ½ beautiful miles and you’ll end at our Lodge. You'll find lots of Harbor signage along the way!

Get Directions

    Arriving at the Lodge

    The Hub of Our Resort

    As you pull up to the Lodge, you may be surprised to see our humble rustic lodge...but this is just the beginning. Step back in time. Our Lodge was built in 1955, by our founder, Hal Barnes, and we’ve preserved the original mid- century architecture. If you’re used to big grand entrances, you may be surprised at our humble, flat roofed Lodge but generations of families and guests have grown up here and it’s the hub of our operations and the heart of the resort. If you walk to the front and view it across the courtyard, you’ll see how the original architect envisioned our rustic lodge sixty years ago. Our resort is spread out over 900 acres, so it’s hard to take it all in from any one spot.

    You’ll find our Lodge Restaurant here as well as our lodging offices and registration. The Lodge is surrounded by our Guest Rooms, Cabanas and our Lodge Cottages. The charming courtyard is framed by trees that Hal planted back in the 1950’s and there’s a much beloved shaded wading pool from the 1960's, lovingly preserved by our staff.

    When you step into the Lodge, our Reception Desk will greet you and ask for your name, driver’s license and credit card. We will swipe your card at check in and final payment for any reservations will be taken at that time. If you are checking into a boat slip, we will need your boat registration numbers off your hull as well, so be sure to jot that down for us.

    Resort Areas

    There are three main areas of Harbor, all with unique personalities and facilities.

    Property Map

    Our property is quite large, encompassing over 900 acres, so we've created a digital map of the whole property and point out pools, the marina, dive shop, houseboat and water toy rentals, stables, spa and hiking trails to get you started.

    View Map

    Swimming

    Swimming Pools….and Swimming Holes

    We have three sparkling, cool swimming pools at Harbor and a wading pool for your little tadpoles! The Lodge pool for our Lodge guests is located just behind the Lodge Restaurant. It has loungers, umbrellas, bathrooms and is within walking distance of all of our Lodge units. The wading pool in the courtyard is a shady spot in the afternoon with comfy benches and umbrellas. There are two additional pools in Harbor East for our condominium guests, each with loungers and convenient for our condominium guests. We’re sorry, we don’t provide pool towels, so be sure to pack some in for your pool fun – or pick up a colorful beach towel at our marina!

    Access the pristine waters of Ouachita by visiting Sunset Beach. Located in Harbor East near the East Cove Pavilion, Sunset Beach is maintained by Harbor and is open to our guests and their families (fur-babies, too!). There is a parking area for side-by-sides and vehicles, but we do ask that no motorized vehicles pull onto the beach area. This is for guests to layout, float and play!

    Lake Ouachita is one big fabulous swimming hole! If you have a boat you can find hundreds of tiny islands and secluded coves, many with soft, lake-worn slate beaches and shady trees. If you don’t have a boat, you can try out the Corps of Engineers nearby Joplin Campground for a real sandy beach with swim buoys. There is a small day use fee – usually just $3.50 or so per car.

      Other Things To Know

      Thank You!

      We're so glad you made the decision to come and stay with us! Our crew pledges to give you our very best service and to assist you in every way we can! If anything disappoints you or just isn't right, tell us about it and we promise we will do everything we can to insure that your stay is perfect!

      Hours of Operation