Notes from the host
Wister Ridge Cottage On a lake
Wister Ridge Cottage will rescue your heart as this charming 1440 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 2 bath cottage is located right next door to one of Oklahoma's most beautiful state park lakes. Nestled in the heart of the woods this cozy cottage sleeps 10 comfortably. 🚨 ONLY 10 PEOPLE on the property at one time.
Feel right at home from the moment you pull into the drive. You'll find comfort here, as this home has been thoughtfully decorated from it's head to its toes, making your stay most inviting.
The main floor bedroom is lovingly called the Hummingbird Room. It received its name because hummingbirds gather around the feeders outside the bedroom window, which looks out to the long deck and overlooks the back woods of the hilled property. This room includes a comfortable queen sized bed. There is a large closet and armoire with drawers and hangers for your use.
The staircase is quite unique as it was salvaged from an old Corp of Engineers dock years ago. At the top of the stairs, you will find a comfortable queen bed on the landing. With its unique overhead garage door feature, it opens to a rustic designed balcony for two overlooking the woods below. (A privacy screen is provided to create more of a private bedroom experience for our guests.) There is a clothes rack with hangers for your use.
The third bedroom is the Bunk Room. It includes 2 sets of twin bunkbeds (4 twin bunk beds total.), and a small TV for our guests to enjoy our large DVD collection of family and children's movies found in the walk-in closet (and more DVDs are downstairs in the closet in the Hummingbird Room. ) You will find some fun toys to keep tots entertained. There is a large closet with drawers and hangers for your use.
The fourth bedroom is the Love Nest. This room is quite inviting with its comfortable queen bed, beautiful linens and lacy sheered curtains. You'll find a modest sized television, not to take away from the peaceful feel.
For entertainment, there are plenty of nature related activities to keep families of all sizes busy here in the immediate and also surrounding areas. The cottage provides a peaceful haven to return to at the end of the day, for an evening meal and relaxing by the chimenea on the wrap around deck or beside the fire pit located at the bottom of the hill below the back of the house.
You will surely enjoy the fully equipped kitchen for cooking any delicious meals you plan to prepare. We offer both a charcoal grill or gas grill for fixing tasty steaks and burgers and all the right tools. They are located just outside on the deck, off the kitchen dining area. Our beautiful colorful dinnerware to set the tables for up to ten will make each meal feel like a special occasion.
For your convenience, we have starters of various Keurig coffees, Folgers ground coffee, hot cocoa and various teas for enjoying toasty beverages. Iced tea bags, bottled waters as well as kitchen spices, cooking oils, sugar, flour, paper towels, charcoal, and aluminum foil to help make your stay more enjoyable and give you less to plan for, while visiting our neck of the woods.
We provide fresh white linens, towels, toiletries (such as shower gel, shampoo and conditioner) and detergent and fabric softener for laundry. We also provide a high chair and pack-and-play for your cuddle bug to help with separate sleeping arrangements for your little one. For some fun nostalgia, enjoy viewing our extensive DVD library of children and family movies for your enjoyment during your stay.
Our cottage is situated on 1.40 wooded acres filled with seasonal wildflowers, birds of all nature, and wildlife of many varieties. The property receives tons of comments from guests of how much they enjoy the ruby throated hummingbirds who vacation here during the spring and summer seasons. Some guests have even had the joy of watching wildlife eat morning and evening meals at the deer feeders on the trails while sitting out on the deck.
And we've created a tiny but interesting nature trail for your enjoyment. You may find Snow White and the seven dwarves after a long days work. Gnomes, elves and fairies are known for scavenging through the woods as we're slowly creating a fun whimsical path for kiddos to enjoy while your family has fun exploring the property. The trees are also known to give a wink or a grin, appreciating your visit as you walk through the woods. Our woodland wonderland and the faces that greet you will grow over time here for your imagination to carry you away.
Did you know Wister Ridge Cottage is conveniently located at the entrance to Wister Lake State Park?? Wister Lake State Park is located in the San Bois Mountains on the Poteau River, the only river that flows north in Oklahoma. You will surely enjoy the quiet lifestyle the jewel of a lake offers to its visitors.
Did you also know Wister Lake is one of the most loved locations in Oklahoma for viewing both Golden and Bald Eagles??? You will find it quite enjoyable to relax on the cottage balcony with your morning coffee or tea and watch these majestic birds play in the sky above you.
Fishing docks, boat ramps, disc golf, kayaking, swimming, water sports, playgrounds and miles and miles of nature for hiking, walking and running are all around us. And for the bicyclists, there are bike trails and State Park roads. There are so many fun amenities available in the area. All types of adventures wait for you to experience.
How could we ever forget the most spectacular season of all, as Fall explodes with magnificent color all around us. You definitely don't want to miss all the beauty and splendor Talimena Scenic Drive has to offer during every season, but especially during the fall and spring seasons here in Southeast Oklahoma. This mountainous wooded view is simply fantastic and tickles the senses, bringing a refreshing calm to the spirit.
Holidays are relaxing whether spent with just two, or a larger gathering. We love decorating the cottage to reflect the seasons and holidays to make your stay even more inviting. But do not expect dates to stay open for long during the holidays as they have been known to fill quickly.
Wister is located close to Historic Fort Smith, Arkansas, known for its historical sites, antique stores, shopping and even a trolly. Heavener Runestone Park where the Vikings once explored, Poteau's Cavanal Hill (The Worlds Highest Hill, with it's spectacular views), Queen Wilhelmina State Park in Mena, Arkansas. Our area also offers Spiro Mounds in Spiro, Oklahoma, Long Lake Resort in Poteau and Robber's Cave State Park in Wilburton. All great places to explore. Historic Old Frisco Trail, a beloved historic walking/hiking trail, begins on Chickasaw Ave/Us 270 and Huff Street in Wister and ends at the Cavanal Scenic Highway in Poteau. Each tourist location is between 5 minutes to an hour drive from the cottage.
Wister Ridge Cottage is located near the Wister Lake State Park which offers five camping areas around the 115 miles of scenic shoreline. And is the gateway to the beautiful Ouachita National Forest which is full of trails for riding four-wheelers, side-by-sides and UTVs.
We are located is truly located in the heart of nature as it is the central hub to various state and national parks. In fact, to be exact, it is near 19 fantastic State Parks, National Parks and National Forests, located within a shortest distance of a half a mile, up to 140 miles longest distance, in not only in Oklahoma but also our neighboring state, Arkansas. Whether you want to spend your day here at home, Wister Lake State Park or you are up for a weekend of adventure, you will find a plethora of adventures awaits you and your imagination. From site seeing, nature trails, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, swimming, golf, shopping etc, Wister Ridge Cottage is the perfect place for lodging.
If you are in a festive mood, there are many festivals throughout the area for guests to enjoy. Avid sasquatch fans, enjoy a day away from the cottage in Honobia, OK at the Big Foot Museum or schedule your stay at the cottage during the Big Foot Festival, which includes helicopter rides, food and craft vendors, children's play zone, live music, story telling around the fire and the Big Food Conference. The event is scheduled the weekend of September 30 thru October 1st, 2022.
The Choctaw Labor Day Festival in Tuskahoma and the Poteau Balloon Fest set for October 2022, are a couple of fantastic, well-known festivals set for October 2022 here in the southeast Oklahoma area.
We think you'll agree this charming cottage will whisk you away with its welcoming spirit and winsome country getaway, as Wister Ridge Cottage is located not to far from neighboring big cities, which makes this breathtaking drive enjoyable along the way. Your getaway to our cottage is only a few hours away.
Dallas, TX - 4 hours
Oklahoma City, OK - 3 hours
Tulsa, OK - 2 hours
Fayetteville, AR - 1.5 hours
Branson, MO - 3 hours
We look forward to you, your family, and your friends coming to visit our cottage in the woods.please