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

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Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, video library
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning

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

Room options

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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
  • Air-conditioned cottage with kitchen, washing machine, and 2 bathrooms
  • Onsite recreation includes a playground
  • 10.7 mi (17.3 km) from Lewis Smith Lake and 20.4 mi (32.9 km) from Houston Historic Jail
This cottage offers its guests barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Double Springs cottage is smoke free.

Property manager

Maggie Johnston

Languages

English

Property amenities

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking options include a garage
  • On-site parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Ice maker
  • Spices

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • DVD player
  • Video library
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Charcoal grills

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Horse riding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Sledging nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: We require an additional $50 pet fee.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Note from host: Please note the amazing remote location.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
Onsite 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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Bluff Overlooking Clear Creek Sipsey Wilderness Trails House
Bluff Overlooking Clear Creek Sipsey Wilderness Trails
On a Bluff Overlooking Clear Creek Sipsey Wilderness Trails!
Bluff Overlooking Clear Creek Sipsey Wilderness Trails House
Bluff Overlooking Clear Creek Sipsey Wilderness Trails
On a Bluff Overlooking Clear Creek Sipsey Wilderness Trails!
Bluff Overlooking Clear Creek Sipsey Wilderness Trails
On a Bluff Overlooking Clear Creek Sipsey Wilderness Trails!

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

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 259 out of 278 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 278 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 278 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 3 out of 278 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 278 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

8.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Mark S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful and Scenic Getaway
We recently stayed at a charming rental house in Double Springs, Alabama, for four nights. Nestled in a rural and secluded area, the house offered the perfect escape into nature, with excellent hiking trails and stunning natural surroundings just a short distance away. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by how cute the house was. It matched the description in the listing perfectly and was clean and well-maintained. The amenities were just as advertised, and we especially appreciated having a washer and dryer available during our stay. The standout feature of this property was the gazebo near a clear, babbling stream. We loved sipping our morning coffee and tea while listening to the soothing sounds of the water. Another highlight was the secret beach hidden through the woods, where we spent peaceful moments enjoying the scenery. Even our dog, Duff, had a blast cooling off in the stream! The location was more scenic than convenient, which is exactly what we were looking for in a getaway. While there weren’t any stores, restaurants, or shops nearby, it didn’t detract from the experience for us. Our hosts Maggie and Mark provided clear guidance and helpful tips that enhanced our stay. Overall, this rental is perfect for nature lovers and anyone seeking a tranquil retreat. The beautiful surroundings and thoughtful details of the property made this a memorable vacation. We highly recommend it to friends, family, and fellow adventurers!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle H B.

Liked: Cleanliness
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
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

Kenny B.

Liked: Cleanliness
A great place for an escape
We had a great visit! The house is very remote, no cell service, which was what I was looking for. The back deck is awesome. The house is surrounded by trees and the deck stayed cool all day so that is where we spend most of our time unwinding. We spent hours on the deck and saw just one mosquito during our three days stay. The hike to the beach was enjoyable. When we did go inside the AC kept the temperature quite comfortable. The beds were comfortable and at night it was very quiet which led to great nights’ rest. The host was great, pointing out local places to eat that were not chain or franchise restaurants. Sapore was our favorite. When we go back, we will leave the kayaks home and take lawn chairs for the beach instead.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammie W.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Chad H.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Julie M.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Samuel H.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Marvelous and Magical
The River Art Cabin was the perfect spot for a weekend getaway with friends, three moms who needed a little escape from the real world. The house was a comfortable spot to curl up on the huge couch, cook delicious food in the kitchen, and sleep soundly in the cozy beds at night. But the true star is the magical location, acres and acres of beautiful trees, located right on Clear Creek. We loved hiking the trail to the secret beach and spent hours sitting by creek, reading, painting, and writing. We even saw a deer swimming across the creek and deer by the driveway! I already want to return.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Malinda G.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

John L., Birmingham, AL

Liked: Cleanliness
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

6/10 Okay

Laurie A.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Clear Creek Cabin
Beautiful location and secluded. ❤️ We enjoyed exploring down to the creek and around the dirt road/paths. Sitting on the porch taking it all in. Leaves were peak. Air conditioner didn’t work in upstairs 2nd bedroom. Needs updating, new refrigerator. Disappointed in cleanliness inside entire property. 🙁
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Harriet I., FAIRHOPE

Liked: Cleanliness
River Art tranquility
the house is very accommodating and one of the most peaceful and quiet places I've ever enjoyed. To be totally disconnected from the business of the outside world is indeed a treat - honestly making it a shock to re-enter our fast paced world of noise and technology, but a shock well worth. Only the sound of birds, creek water flowing over the shoals, leaves falling and the wind blowing through the trees, and the morning crowing of the roosters that must be a mile away is pure magic. To walk the grounds, the piney woods forest (where you are enveloped in the smell of pine), of course the secret beach or the gazebo truly takes away all your cares to just 'the moment'. Deer and Turkey were sighted during our stay there. I add, the upper deck is perfect for watching the moon and locating stars. The location to the hiking trails of the Sipsey and Bandhead is ideal for daily hikes through another magical land. Our second visit to River Art and we plan to be back.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peace and quiet!
It is a little intimidating upon driving in just due to the remote location, but it is EXACTLY what you'd hope for once you get there. We did not hear another voice the entire time and the creek was beautiful. Maggie was completely available and in touch with us prior to arrival to make sure we had all information needed. She offered to stop by and show us more of the area and trails. Do yourself a favor and book it. Be aware though it is in the wilderness so don't be surprised to see some bugs or snakes. We saw several deer also right off the front porch.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary A.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Tammie W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Get away!
This property was very remotely located, we saw many deer and had complete peace and quiet, just what we needed after working in the hustle and bustle of Pensacola every day! Mark and Maggie were wonderful and answered our many questions and were very helpful. We had a wonderful time! There is a secret beach with a sandbar and Clear Creek runs beside it. it was very beautiful. I highly recommend this place and we will be back! ❤️
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Diane F.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

Carol M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Personal Sanctuary
Beautiful and quiet space in the outdoors. A step back in time to a slower pace without the constant noise of phones and interruptions. The creek area is the perfect sanctuary to personal reflection. If you listen, the babbling waterways will lull you into peaceful bliss. And don't forget to say goodbye to each day while being thankful for all you have, by watching the sun drop lazily down below the treeline at the gazebo. Beautiful, peaceful, and personally yours for a time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cecelia M., Moulton

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

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely little getaway
This magical property is like something out of a fairytale. Deer were right by the driveway, which was lined with wildflowers. The home was comfortable, and the night it rained we snuggled in the cozy couch and selected movies from their collection. Hiking to the secret beach is like visiting your own deserted island, with a beach all to yourselves. The sound of the water there, or sitting at the gazebo, just filled up my soul. We are already planning to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte M.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Memorial Day Retreat
We just oooohhhhhhhh'd when we pulled up in the driveway. The location is beautiful. We entered into a quaint, clean, sweet home. The back patio has a great view and an even better view from the master bedroom. The trails are marked well and we had so much fun at the Private Beach and the pavilion overlooking the ridge. Maggie the owner was so nice in our correspondence and we look forward to returning for a longer stay. Thanks Maggie
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023