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Looking for a remote location? No other people? Forests, Creeks, and Sipsey!

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Exterior
a panaramic view of Clear Creek from the Secret Beach!
Buddy loves the creek and Secret Beach!
Modern kitchen fully stocked with everything you need to prepare a feast !
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Double Springs, AL
  • Lewis Smith Lake
    ‪27 min drive‬
  • Houston Historic Jail
    ‪41 min drive‬
  • Smith Lake Park
    ‪94 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Looking for a remote location? No other people? Forests, Creeks, and Sipsey!

Need a quiet place to unwind and relax? No other houses are in sight of the River Art cabin. You can take a relaxing few days away from the crowds and worries of our current world situations.

This farm is 600 acres of oaks, dogwoods, pines and wildflowers surrounded by the Bankhead National Forest, with no neighbors in sight! You can truly disconnect for a few days… No Internet, and no cable TV. We have a TV and DVD player for entertainment, but the true entertainment is going for a walk! Or sitting on the gazebo with a glass of wine! 

Why do we call it the River Art Cabin? It sits on a bluff overlooking Clear Creek, the 'River' part. It was constructed by an artist named Art Fowler, whose original art still hangs throughout the cabin. Amazing!

You may want to spend your days fishing or tubing the creek or exploring the incredible canyons of the Sipsey Wilderness. Perhaps you would enjoy mountain biking the miles of Bankhead National Forest roads near by. Love hiking and backpacking, the Sipsey has many miles of hiking trails.

Love to hunt? Check out the Bankhead National Forest! You can drive just a few miles and hunt on National Forest land.

Enjoy birdwatching? What about a night with no street lights for perfect stargazing? This is the place for you!

There is a charcoal grill for the grill master in the family. BYOC… bring your own charcoal!

If the two bedroom River Art Cabin is not quite enough space, we have a smaller Bungalow cabin a couple hundred yards behind the larger cabin. It has a full kitchen, living room, one bedroom and bath. Ask me about the bungalow if interested... it is an additional rental, of course.

There is a full kitchen in both cabins, but if you'd rather not cook, hop in the car and run to Double Springs for a homecooked Italian meal at the Sapore Grill!

There are two bedrooms in the River Art Cabin, the Master bedroom has a king size bed and a private upstairs deck with a sliding glass door. There is a private Master bath also. The second bedroom has twin beds.

One of my favorite parts of the place is the Gazebo, a beautiful structure set atop a sandstone bluff overlooking a shoals of Clear Creek about 70 feet below. You can enjoy a sunset with a glass of wine sitting on the gazebo listening to the rippling creek below. Or wake up early and walk down the path to the gazebo with a hot cup of coffee.

You can stroll for miles on our dirt roads or walk down the path to Clear Creek and take a dip in the cool waters that are a tributary to Smith Lake.

Truly remote. This cottage is at the end of the road... literally! You will drive down a small country road for about 4 miles and when the road ends... you are home!



Keywords: Cottage, cabin, gazebo, creek side, tubing, Bankhead National Forest, Sipsey Wilderness Area, birding, Smith Lake, Camp McDowell, hunting, fishing

Property manager

Maggie Johnston
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please note the amazing remote location.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
We require an additional $50 pet fee.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Double Springs

Located in Double Springs, this cottage is on the waterfront. Travellers eager for a bit of culture can stop by The Lily Pond an Art Gallery & Tea Room, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lewis Smith Lake and Tiger Field. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and cycling.
Map
Double Springs, AL

What's nearby

  • Lewis Smith Lake - 27 min drive - 17.3 km
  • Houston Historic Jail - 41 min drive - 33.0 km
  • Natural Bridge Park - 43 min drive - 40.6 km
  • Dismals Canyon - 85 min drive - 72.6 km
  • Smith Lake Park - 94 min drive - 89.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Wal-Win - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Walton's Family Restaurant - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Obryan's Family Steakhouse - ‬19 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Looking for a remote location? No other people? Forests, Creeks, and Sipsey! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Looking for a remote location? No other people? Forests, Creeks, and Sipsey!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Looking for a remote location? No other people? Forests, Creeks, and Sipsey!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Looking for a remote location? No other people? Forests, Creeks, and Sipsey! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 10.7 mi (17.3 km) from Lewis Smith Lake and within 25 miles (40 km) of Houston Historic Jail and Randolph Trailhead. Gamble Park and The First United Methodist Church are also within 25 miles (40 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 262 out of 281 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 281 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 281 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 281 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 281 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great secluded getaway

A great place in the woods with everything you need to relax and enjoy nature.
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

John L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

This is the third year that my wife and I have stayed at this property and we hope to keep coming back! The remoteness of the house, the accommodations within the house, great communication with the hosts, and the beautiful surroundings all combine together to make the perfect vacation spot for us and anyone looking to truly get away for a while.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect place to totally disconnect and relax !

We enjoyed our stay and reconnection together, esp with our son on break from school with good ole uninterrupted conversation, fresh air from the hemlocks/pines/laurels, exercise with hiking/fishing and a margarita at night on the porch swing. Our dogs loved it too. Thank you for the lovely accommodation!!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint, secluded property

This property is just what we needed for our trip to Bankhead/Sipsey area. It gave us the privacy/seclusion we are always looking for but wasn't too far from a town with a grocery store. The flannel sheets on our bed kept us toasty at night & we enjoyed the wood burning fireplace. The directions to the house were perfect & our host was both proactive & responsive to our questions. Our check in process was both simple AND sweet as she left us some homemade goodies. YUM!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michelle H B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River Art Cabin

This is my fourth stay at the cabin, and I absolutely love it. It is such a wonderful place to disconnect and just enjoy nature and solitude. I try to go twice a year and would highly recommend it to anyone needing a good getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Rural Getaway in Bama!

This was our second stay at Clear Creek and the first time with the dogs! We all had a wonderful time. Great kitchen, we made chili and tacos. Don’t miss the pond, the pier is a great place for journaling and just being in the peaceful forest. See you again in November!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Hideaway!

We had a wonderful time! What a wonderful tucked away Place away from "life". The secret Beach was wonderful and my dogs enjoyed it immensely
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

John L., Birmingham, AL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

This was our second trip here - PERFECT house away from it all. Hosts were outstanding (as always), house has everything one might need for a few days. We plan on staying again!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allen B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay

This getaway was exactly what I needed. The atmosphere was so calming and beautiful. I will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cabin Get Away

We love the location, property and (don’t tell anyone) the secret beach. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chad H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and private ☺️

If you love nature this place is perfect! Quiet little oasis in a very secluded area perfect for family gatherings or just couples. This was actually our second visit! We loved the seclusion, private beach and surrounding National Forest area. So many beautiful trails and sites to see in this area of Alabama and not enough time to get them all in. We’ll definitely be back again and would suggest friends and family to visit as well 😊❤️
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Malinda G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unplug and Relax

Love this property! The kids enjoyed playing at the creek and such a peaceful place. Away from it all. Mark and Maggie are amazing hosts. Thanks for everything!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magical!

If you like nature and seclusion, this rental is one you can’t miss! The property is huge and so fun to explore, the house is comfortable and lovely, and Clear Creek is so beautiful. Saw some big deer outside the kitchen window in the morning and had a good time identifying the wildflowers on the property. Definitely will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Diane F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing

Had a wonderful time visiting with friends, sharing the beauty of the woods in the house, and the private beach was a definite bonus
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Getaway

Family of 4 plus our large dog stayed here during the hottest time of year and couldn’t have been more happy with our stay. Driving to our next destination and already want to turn back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Samuel H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dad’s 70th Bday

We loved it! Great private location next to clear creek. My parents loved being able to sit at the pavilion overlooking the creek. Charcoal grill was a great addition. We grilled burgers and steaks. Highly recommend if you want to be in private near the water. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colleen S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location on a Beautiful Creek

We loved our visit here! The cabin had everything we needed. It’s in such a quiet spot, and the creek was wonderful. Our boys had fun playing in the creek with our dog at the Secret Beach. It’s a great place to relax and get away from it all.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jessica J. J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway!

This was such a beautiful place. Tucked away in nature and away from the stress of today's world. The house was very cozy and clean and Maggie and Mark were wonderful hosts! Can't wait to come back!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brent C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful summer break.

Beautiful property allows much needed recharging and reconnection with the great outdoors.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

LIZ H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Get away from it ALL!!

Really wishing we could have stayed longer. It was the perfect place to unwind! The property is beautiful. We spent so much time reading on the porch, exploring the trails around the property, and relaxing at the secret beach- which was the dogs favorite place to cool off in the heat.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cecelia M., Moulton

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Tranquility

This house is amazing! Maggie answers so quickly! We will definitely be back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sharon F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely getaway

My friend and I had a relaxing stay, just reading and enjoying the beautiful woods and secret beach. The house was well-stocked and comfortable. Our host answered all questions promptly. I would definitely stay here again and recommend it. ❤️
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karey L., Carrabelle, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

No reason to leave the property

We love the short hike to the river front beach with scenic cliff across the river and fall foliage
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

sacha w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome

Fantastic spot on the river, hospitable and attentive hosts. We loved our stay, the water in Clear Creek is invigorating during a hot day (and the dogs played in the water all day long). If you need to unplug, this is the spot.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent stay

This property delivered an outstanding stay. The house was in a nice quiet remote location - perfect for a peaceful getaway. The secret beach was realy nice and clean. The layout of the home is perfect and really suited our needs. The home and grounds were nicely maintained and we enjoyed our stay immensly and hope to return in the near future. The owner was wonderful, pleasant to deal with, responsive and very accommodating. I would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Maggie Johnston

Host profile image
Maggie is the Director of Educational Programs at Camp McDowell. She manages the McDowell Environmental Center and Farm School, as well as Magnolia Nature Preschool.
Mark recently retired from 26 years as the Executive Director of Camp McDowell, near Jasper, Alabama. Mark is now working towards a new goal... being the first Independent Governor of Alabama! GO to his Facebook page Mark Johnston weneedmark.info to learn more.
They are proud of the work they do to protect and educate people about the natural world around us.

Why they chose this property

We bought this place for the pure joy of owning a remote piece of Nature on the banks of Clear Creek!

What makes this property unique

There is nothing quite like communing with nature in a beautiful place near a moving stream. You will find it valuable to spend some quiet time just sitting on the porch or gazebo and listening to nature!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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