Hackett Hill Top Lodge:
A 23-Acre Creekside Retreat For Sale Near Fort Smith, Arkansas
If you’ve been searching for **land for sale in Sebastian County, Arkansas** that delivers total privacy, income potential, and true mountain-lodge craftsmanship, I want to personally introduce you to one of the most compelling properties I’ve had the privilege to represent: **Hackett Hill Top Lodge**, located at 5601 Hill Top Heights, Hackett, AR 72937.
I’m Logan May with Mossy Oak Properties Field, Farm, and Homes, and I’m proud to be co-representing this award-winning 23.13± acre estate alongside listing agent Will Dawson. Together, we’re bringing this one-of-a-kind property to market for $850,000, and I can tell you firsthand — photos barely do it justice. This is one of those rare western Arkansas properties where the land, the craftsmanship, and the location all come together, and I genuinely encourage anyone searching for a private retreat, a multi-generational compound, or a smart real estate investment to take a serious look.
A Private Ridge-Top Sanctuary on James Fork Creek
Hackett Hill Top Lodge sits at the end of a long, winding drive, tucked into 23+ heavily wooded acres that gently border **James Fork Creek**. The dense tree cover creates a natural buffer from the outside world, so the only sounds you’ll hear are rustling leaves, birdsong, and the creek running below. Once you turn off the county road and start up that drive, the noise of everyday life simply falls away.
A maintained path leads right down to the water, where you can fish for bass, wade, or simply sit and unwind after a long day. The wildlife here is abundant and consistent — whitetail deer, turkey, and small game are seen regularly across the property, making this a genuine haven for hunters, wildlife photographers, and anyone who simply enjoys watching nature unfold from their own back porch. Dirt and gravel county road frontage keeps the property feeling remote, while public water and connected electricity and propane mean you never have to sacrifice modern comfort for that off-the-grid feel.
A Private Ridge-Top Sanctuary on James Fork Creek
The heart of the property is a stunning 3,715+/-square-foot main lodge**, built in 2007 with soaring ceilings, masterful woodwork, and an open layout built for entertaining as easily as it handles quiet mountain evenings. Whether you’re hosting a large family gathering or simply enjoying a cup of coffee by yourself, the layout flexes to fit the moment.
Recent upgrades make this a truly turn-key opportunity: a freshly painted exterior, a brand-new expansive deck perfect for morning coffee or evening stargazing, and a brand-new AC unit. Inside, you’ll find rich wood flooring throughout, a cozy wood stove for chilly Ozark winters, a tankless water heater, and a durable metal roof designed to weather the seasons for decades to come. The kitchen is outfitted with a free-standing gas range, free-standing refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave — everything you need to cook a full holiday meal or a quiet dinner for two. Combined with the guest cabin, the property offers 5 bedrooms and 5.5 baths across 4,303 total square feet, giving multi-generational families or hosts of overnight guests plenty of room to spread out.
The Guest Cabin
A Private 588 Sq. Ft. Retreat
A charming 588+/-square-foot guest cabin** sits perched to maximize privacy and sweeping ridge-top views, complete with its own private hot tub and recently updated tile flooring and shower. Step outside and you’re greeted by the sound of the creek and a view of unbroken tree canopy it’s easy to see why guests keep coming back. It’s the kind of space that works beautifully as a mother-in-law suite, a private guest house for family and friends, a home office or art studio away from the main house, or as the current owner has proven a highly sought-after short-term rental unit in its own right.
A Proven Track Record as a Short-Term Rental
Currently operated by its owner as **Hill Top Lodging & Cabin**, the property has built a loyal following of guests and a shelf full of hospitality awards, including Best of River Valley Hotels and Lodging (2023) and Romantic Getaway (2023, 2024, and 2025), with a 2026 nomination pending. While Will and I are marketing this property first and foremost as a **home for sale** — not a rental — its established short-term rental history is a nice bonus for any buyer who wants to explore hosting as an income stream down the road.
Country Quiet, City Convenience
Hackett is the second-oldest city in Sebastian County, first settled in 1834 by Jeremiah Hackett and officially incorporated in 1885. The area boomed in the 1880s as a coal-mining and agricultural hub, once known for shipping peaches and cotton, and it has held on to that same peaceful, historic charm ever since. Today, that history translates into a real financial advantage for buyers: lower property taxes and a genuinely low cost of living mean your dollar stretches much further here than it would on comparable acreage closer to a major metro area.
And you won’t be sacrificing convenience for that country quiet, either — downtown **Fort Smith is just a 20-to-25-minute drive**, putting hospitals, corporate offices, and manufacturing hubs well within easy reach. It’s the best of both worlds: come home from a day in the city and be back on your deck listening to the creek by evening.
Plenty to Explore Nearby
Outdoor recreation: Kayak or fish James Fork Creek right on the property, or head to the massive Ouachita National Forest or Ben Geren Regional Park for hiking, biking, and golf.
Family fun: Parrot Island Waterpark and the Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center are both close by.
History & culture: Explore the U.S. Marshals Museum and Fort Smith National Historic Site.
Dining: Grab a bite and live music at Hackett’s own Crocky’s Cafe, or head into Fort Smith for dinner at 21 West End or drinks at 906 Cocktail & Cigar Lounge.
Property Highlights At A Glance
Acreage: 23.13± private, wooded acres bordering James Fork Creek
Main Lodge: 3,715 sq. ft., built 2007, new deck and AC
Guest Cabin: 588 sq. ft. with private hot tub
Total: 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths
Utilities: Public water, electricity, propane
Recreation: Hunting, fishing, creek access
Let’s Talk About This Property
Properties like this, true privacy, real craftsmanship, and a creek running through the backyard, all within a short drive of Fort Smith — don’t come around often. I’d love to walk you through everything Hackett Hill Top Lodge has to offer, from the acreage to the income potential to what life actually looks like on that back deck at sunset.
VISIT THE FULL LISTING
Contact, Logan May, directly at (479) 223-1898
or visit MOParkansasland.com to schedule a showing. You can also reach my co-listing agent, Will Dawson, through Mossy Oak Properties Field, Farm, and Homes in Barling, Arkansas.
