9 unique places to stay in the Ozarks, including a cave, grain silo and 1920s gas station
The Ozarks is known for its captivating outdoor beauty: more than 300 natural caves, winding rivers and the 200-plus-mile mountain range.
In 2019, about 52% of tourists who traveled to Missouri visited the region, including Springfield, Branson, Lake of the Ozarks, Joplin and Carthage, according to the Missouri Department of Tourism.
For those who already live in the Ozarks, there's an almost endless supply of things to explore, including unique places to stay — whether it be a natural cave, renovated grain silo or 1920s gas station.
The News-Leader compiled a list of 9 unique lodgings throughout the Ozarks for fall getaways or just a weekend out of the house.
Note that Airbnb rental prices often vary during different days of the week and times of the year.
Sleep underground in an 'Earthouse'
Where: Springfield
Cost: Varies
Settled below ground level is a 2,500-square foot home with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Rounded architecture is a central theme throughout the home, displayed in a rounded wall in the living room and circular light fixtures and windows. Despite a roof of grass, the home has a lot of natural light.
The home was built in 1981 by architect Dennis Spencer and served as the home office of Spencer Architects for several years. Timothy Pilla and Monica Stegall, current co-owners of the "Earthouse" worked with Spencer after graduating from Drury University's Hammons School of Architecture.
In 2018, when Spencer retired, he wished to pass the home on to someone who would appreciate it, which is when Pilla and Stegall purchased it. After more than a year of restorations, the "Earthouse" became what it is today.
The home made Airbnb's "Most Wish-listed Rentals of 2022" in February, Stegall said. It is also frequently displayed under the "OMG" category on Airbnb, which filters rental properties that have a true "wow" factor.
Book: Available on Airbnb at bit.ly/3qmMGbC.
More: MDC reminds Missourians of changes for youth hunters, sharing the harvest, CWD regulations
Get your kicks on Route 66 in a gas station
Where: Springfield
Cost: Varies
Located right off Route 66 in Springfield is a 1920s stone gas station. The gas station has one bedroom, one bathroom, living room area and kitchen. Where the cars used to pull through at the station is now the front porch.
Book: Available on Airbnb at bit.ly/3B3TbVF.
Get cozy in a yurt at Table Rock Lake
Where: Table Rock Lake State Park
Cost: $139 per night
Yurts, round tents typically covered with skins or pelts, can be found all throughout the Ozarks, but Table Rock State Park's Premium Yurt is widely popular. The supersized yurt includes two bedrooms, one full bathroom, a kitchen and living room. The yurt sleeps up to six.
Traditionally, the round tents were used by nomadic groups in areas of Central Asia. The Buryat Mongolian community in Siberia claim their land as the birthplace of the yurt, also known as the ger, dating back to 600 B.C.
Book: Call 877-422-6766 or make an online reservation at icampmo1.usedirect.com/MSPWeb/.
Rock the night away in an Elvis-inspired condo
Where: Branson
Cost: Varies
Fans of Elvis Presley won't want to miss this rock and roll themed two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo. The property features bright, lavish furniture, a retro Coca-Cola-themed kitchen (with a black and white tiled floor) and plenty of Elvis photos throughout. Two pinball machines are also available in the kitchen area.
Book: Available on Airbnb at bit.ly/3RtuWao.
No longer just for grain, sleep in a silo
Where: Eagle Rock, Missouri
Cost: Varies
The grain silo that now sits near Table Rock State Park was once used on a farm in Kansas. Mike and Debbie Kensinger found the silo and decided to give it a new life as a rental property, moving it to southwest Missouri in 2021. Today, the silo has one bedroom and one bathroom, accommodating up to four guests.
A wooden cable bridge welcomes guests to the wrap-around porch. During the evening, the bridge and fire pit below are illuminated with string lights. Inside, the windows near the ceiling were taken from the childhood home of Missouri artist Thomas Hart Benton, Debbie told the News-Leader. Benton is known for his mural depicting the social history of Missouri in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City.
The silo also features an antique tin ceiling and 1909 farm sink in the kitchen and Murphy Bed and Chesterfield sofa in the living room.
Book: Available on Airbnb at bit.ly/3BqB6Cw.
More: 27 fall festivals to attend in Springfield and throughout the Ozarks in 2022
Climb up to a tranquil treehouse
Where: Eagle Rock, Missouri
Cost: Varies
Sixteen-feet above the woodland floor is the Tranquil Treehouse near Table Rock Lake. The two-story cabin has one bedroom, accommodating for four guests. Several features of the tree house add to its uniqueness.
The Kensingers also own this rental property, giving attention to detail to every aspect of the space, from the five, custom-made stained glass windows to the 130-year-old bathroom door they found in a barn. The bathroom also features a six-foot Japanese soaking tub.
The kitchen's counter tops were made from old gym floor in Ozark High School in Ozark, Arkansas and the queen-size bed upstairs was made from a 1956 Chevy truck.
Perhaps one of the best features of the tree house is how you enter. From the parking area, guests must cross a 60-foot cable bridge to the house, which is lit up at night.
Book: Available on Airbnb at bit.ly/3d32nBS.
Glamp on Finley River
Where: Nixa
Cost: Varies
"Glamping" is short for glamorous camping. The accommodation style usually includes a real mattress, running water, toilet and other features not associated with traditional camping.
The glamping tent in Nixa sits on a raised, wooden platform with a small porch. A full-sized bed sits inside the tent, but guests also have access to a fire pit, outhouse, grill and an Igloo cooler with fresh water. Additional tents can be rented for $35 from the property owners.
The property has access to the Finley River and is seven miles away from Two Rivers Mountain Bike Park.
Book: Available on Airbnb at bit.ly/3BvAfkk.
Dream about the '70s in a vintage Airstream
Where: Berryville, Arkansas
Cost: Varies
A 1977 Airstream situated in Arkansas allows guests to "travel" back in time with its authentic décor.
When renting Dream Weaver Airstream, guests have access to the entire campground area, including the trailer, an outdoor theater, fire pit and grill, large deck, and private outdoor shower.
Book: Available on Airbnb at bit.ly/3QsKRV1.
More: 14 pumpkin patches, apple orchards and corn mazes to visit this fall around the Ozarks
Sleep in a natural cave at Beckham Creek Cave Lodge
Where: Parthenon, Arkansas
Cost: $2,220 per night
Beckham Creek Cave Lodge is a 5,800-square-foot home settled inside a natural cave. The home has four bedrooms and four bathrooms, accommodating up to 12 guests. Perhaps the most grandiose part of the home is the natural rock formation waterfall in the living room.
Booking the lodge also gives guests access to on-site trailers, a walking path to an overlook called "Eye of the Needle" and a complimentary UTV ride up to an area known as "Indian Encampment."
The home is featured in season one of Netflix's "The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals." The episode, "Bizarre B&Bs," also showcases an igloo in Finland and snake-shaped apartment in Mexico City.
Book: Beckham Creek Cave Lodge is fully booked for the remainder of 2022. Book a stay for 2023 at beckhamcave.com/#booking.
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 9 unique vacation rentals to explore for a getaway in the Ozarks
