43mi from Benton · 19 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Vilonia, ARBack in 2018, when the landwas FIRST acquired, there was only a water spigot and a 14x14 structure that was basically a glorified shed... Now we refer to it as the Gallery Cabin. Its slowly gaining local art work pieces for display and purchasing...
Now, ears later, we have created many fun spaces and built many structures for our many hobbies and passions. We have built a small workshop, a rock cutting/shaping/soil mixing area, Shipping Container workshop and decked out a shed with a work station and a long marble counter top.
We have built a 3-level tree fort with a crow's nest and a 10x12 screened Bungalow in the woods. This is a great spot to have less chance of bugs at night, still have electricity for Lights and phone charging.
We have also created a large garden with 9 beds, using various aspects of Permaculture, including several Hugelculture beds. We created a comfortable and private outside shower in the upper corner of the garden, that is perfect after a long day of having our hands in the soil! (Named the "Flower Shower" as we grow various seasonal flowers, Sage and some beautiful Poppies that can be seen from the shower.) It's now equipped with Propane heat for optional warm showers year long.
Because this is Arkansas, and we live at the top of a ridge, our topsoil is mainly clay and rocks... so one of the first endeavors we started was creating a 5 bin mass composting system to build up our soil for our gardens. We found grocery stores and coffee shops to donate hundreds of pounds of old produce and coffee grounds. Since our arrival we have made over 6000+ lbs of beautiful compost and continue to do so today!
We are a pet friendly place. We also get rare bookings being a SnifSpot ( Dog Park) But all dogs must be leashed or proven ( caretaker onsite approval) of being off leash trained. The only Exception is Miguel-dog. He has been on the property with us for 3+ years. Very gentle and calm. He usually needs to greet you, then you can be free. He can be separated if need. (Aggressive dogs are NOT allowed. Thanks.)
We have a resident, neutered male cat named, Hikari aka "Ari." He is dog friendly. However if your dog chases cats, please keep your dog leashed.
We have planted 10 fruit and nut trees and started a 'Berry Orchard'. We also have a small vineyard consisting of about 15 trained Muscadine vines. Closer to the house is a wonderful Herb Spiral that showcases of up to 20 medicinal and cooking herbs and we have a dozen more herbs in the other garden and around our land as well. We also have been planting a food forest outside the garden area, growing PawPaw trees, Gooseberries, Jerusalem Artichokes and Opossum grapes for the critters... so they may leave our actual garden alone, but they can still come close to get a tasty snack.
We also built a large chicken coop for 4 egg layer chickens, 4 ducks and 3 guineas that free range our yard during the day. Our numbers vary year to year.
There is over a mile plus of trails through our woods, criss-crossing over our seasonal springs that we have built bridges over. Our trails go up and down the mossy topped valleys and ridges with many places to comfortably stop and rest along the way.
One aspect about all this that we are extremely proud of, is that we have built 75% or more out of RECLAIMED MATERIALS and RECLAIMED LUMBER (and made it look good!)
-- Learn more about this land: --
We are located only 12 miles from I-40, just north of Vilonia. Our Homestead Farm: Barefoot Gardens, is on 8 acres of hardwood forest, where we use various Permaculture techniques to grow over 140+ varieties of various herbs, fruits, vegetables, trees and flowers!
The nights here are peaceful and filled with the soothing sounds of treefrogs. Fireflies dance in the night air as the stars peak thru the leaves overhead! (We commonly camp in our own yard for this exact same reason!)
Besides multiple camping locations and a beautiful forest, we also host over a dozen Educational Workshops and Homestead Demonstrations! Small Retreats and events are also being brought forth. Most all workshops/demonstrations are kid friendly as well! (Workshops are listed below in this description. They are also listed in the 'Extras' section of our HC profile.)
Here at Barefoot Gardens, you will find many fun and interesting places to explore and enjoy! Here is a list of some of our favorites!
- A 10x12 secluded, screen enclosed, roofed platform (10x12) is available for camping in the forest. This location is 600 ft. from parking area. Electricity is provided (No A/C or heat, please!) A firepit with a metal cooking grill are also provided. A compost toilet is attached to the backside of the platform as well. Multiple hiking trails intersect near and around this area!
- Tent camping is available in various locations throughout the yard and forest, with available access to electricity and water (No A/C or heat, please!)
- Plenty of great places to hang up hammocks! (Including our 3 level Tree fort!)
- RV's and pull behind camper's welcome! (up to 30 feet only please) Only very QUIET generators are allowed! If you need to run your A/C or heat for extended periods of time, while hooked into our electricity, please add $10 onto each day you stay with us! And NO... you cannot empty your black water tank here. [7 day maximum stay, please!]
- Fire Pits available next to campsite locations, the bungalow or at the community area by our Rocketshop.
- An outside heated shower located in the large garden AKA 'The Flower Shower" (warm season only.)
- Over a mile of hiking trails, with bridges that cross over seasonal springs and moss covered ridges. Trails go up and down several valleys and ridges, so there are several rest spots along the way. (Trails have been marked with Blue trail markers, for easy navigation!)
- A large Herb Spiral featuring 15+ medicinal/cooking herbs and over a dozen more in our main garden and yard as well!
- Fresh picked greens, veggies, berries and Farm Fresh Chicken eggs from our chickens are available for purchase too! (Located in the 'GOODS' section of our HipCamp profile! (Fruit/Veggie/Egg availability change depending on time of year.)
Besides all the beauty, trails and fun here at Barefoot Gardens... we also host multiple informative and educational workshops! More info about these can be found in the 'EXTRAS' section of our HipCamp profile!
** Although we don't have a swim hole on site... there is a Beautiful Secret Swim hole only a short drive away! Or you can rent the use of our small pools.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
