Welcome to your private Ozark retreat.
We're delighted you've chosen our A-frame as your home for these next few days. Every detail of this property — from the linens and the hot tub to the curated kitchen and the path to the creek — has been thoughtfully prepared so you can simply arrive, exhale, and enjoy. You're moments from Table Rock Lake, a short drive from Branson, and tucked away in the cedars where the stars come out in full.
This guide is here to make your stay effortless: how to connect, what we provide, our favorite places to dine, and the experiences we recommend most. If anything is less than perfect, please call or text us right away so we can take care of it before it touches your trip.
— Your hosts
01 · Quick ReferenceThe Essentials
02 · ConnectWi-Fi, TVs & the Basics
Wi-Fi
Network: Camp Cricket Creek
Password: FiveStarStay
The router lives in the cubby under the TV. If the internet hiccups, an unplug-wait-30-seconds-replug reset almost always solves it.
TVs & Streaming
All three TVs are Roku TVs. We don't include streaming subscriptions, so please sign in to your own Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, or other accounts to watch.
Linens & Towels
- Extra sheets & pillowcases: Laundry room closet.
- Extra bath towels & washcloths: Laundry room closet.
- Hot tub towels (colored): Laundry room closet, with the extra sheets. Please keep these separate from the white bath towels.
Climate Control
Please keep the thermostat between 67°F and 75°F while you're here. The A-frame's tall ceilings mean the loft runs warmer in summer and cooler in winter — the ceiling fan helps a lot.
Parking
Park in the gravel area at the front of the cabin. There's room for up to 5 cars, or 2 trucks with trailers.
03 · Effortless ArrivalWhat We Provide
So you can travel light. Below is what's already waiting for you at the cabin — and a short list of things we recommend bringing if you'd like them.
In the Bath
- Shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in each shower
- Hand soap at each sink
- Bath towels, washcloths, and hand towels
- Hair dryer
- Toilet paper (extras under each vanity)
Kitchen & Coffee Bar
The kitchen is fully stocked with pots, pans, knives, a toaster, and basic spices. Trash bags are under the kitchen sink.
The coffee maker is a dual Keurig — it makes single-cup pods or a full drip pot. We supply:
- A variety of Keurig pods
- Coffee filters for the drip side
- A variety of creamers
- A variety of sugar (white, raw, sweetener packets)
We don't supply ground coffee or whole beans for the drip side — if you prefer drip, please pick up your favorite at the grocery store on your way in.
Linens & Laundry
- Premium sheets on every bed
- Extra sheet sets in the laundry room closet
- Washer and dryer
- Laundry detergent and dryer sheets
- Iron and ironing board
Cabin Highlights
The things people come back for — at a glance.
What We Don't Supply — Plan to Bring
- Ground coffee or whole beans for the drip side of the Keurig (we supply pods + filters; bring grounds if you prefer brewed)
- Beach / lake towels (the white bath towels stay inside and the colored ones are for the hot tub)
- Firewood — available at Country Mart (Hollister), Cricket Creek Marina, or any Branson-area gas station
- Groceries & pantry items beyond the spices and coffee supplies above
- Bug spray & sunscreen — the woods are beautiful but bring repellent in warmer months
04 · The Fine PrintHouse Rules
Short and sweet — just enough to keep this place magical for the next guests.
- No smoking or vaping anywhere indoors or on the decks. If you smoke outside, please keep well away from the cabin and use the ash bucket by the fire pit for cigarette butts.
- No parties or events. Only the guests on the reservation should be on the property — no unregistered visitors.
- Quiet hours: 10 PM – 8 AM. Sound carries in the woods — please be neighborly.
- No pets. This is a pet-free home for the comfort of all guests and for allergy reasons. An undisclosed pet fee will apply if a pet is brought on the property.
- Candles & open flames indoors: Not allowed (wood structure!). Battery-operated candles are welcome.
- Lock up when you leave the cabin and at night.
05 · Steam & StarsHot Tub Rules
The hot tub is on the deck and stays at a steady 100–104°F. Soak away — just please follow these:
- Shower first. Sunscreen, lotions, and hairspray are the #1 reason a hot tub gets foamy and cloudy. A quick rinse keeps the water great for everyone.
- Use the colored hot tub towels only (laundry room closet, with the extra sheets). The white bath towels stay inside.
- No glass — only plastic or metal cups near the tub.
- No food in or near the tub.
- No bath products, bubbles, or oils in the water.
- Cover it when you're not using it — it keeps debris out and heat in.
- Kids must be supervised at all times. Recommended max soak time: 15–20 minutes.
- Do not soak if you're pregnant, have heart conditions, or have been drinking heavily.
- If the water looks off (very foamy, cloudy, odd smell), text us — do not try to add anything yourself.
06 · Press StartThe Pac-Man Arcade
The arcade in the loft is loaded with classic games — Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, Donkey Kong, and dozens more. No quarters needed.
How to fire it up
- Make sure the unit is plugged in (power cord runs down the back).
- Flip the power switch on the back of the cabinet (lower right).
- The screen will boot to the game menu — use the joystick to scroll up/down through the list and press Button 1 to select a game.
- Press "1P Start" to begin a single-player game, or "2P Start" for two players (one of you sits on the opposite side).
How to switch to a different game
- While in a game, press and hold Button 1 + Button 2 together (or the dedicated menu / exit button, often labeled "M" or "Exit" on the control panel).
- Hold for ~3 seconds — the screen will return to the main game menu.
- Use the joystick to scroll to your next game and press Button 1 to select.
- If the buttons don't bring up the menu, just flip the power switch off, wait 10 seconds, and turn it back on — it boots straight to the menu.
07 · Before Bed & After UseFire Safety & Property Care
Two quick things to take care of every evening — not just at check-out. They protect the cabin for the next guests.
Fire Pit & Grill
- Pour water generously over the fire pit until you no longer hear hissing.
- Use the fire poker to stir the ashes and break up any glowing embers.
- Add more water and stir again until everything is cold to the touch.
- Same routine for the grill if you used it — douse the coals with water and stir.
Embers can stay hot under the surface for hours, especially in cedar and oak. The Ozark winds pick up overnight, so please don't rely on the fire dying down on its own.
Hot Tub Cover
08 · Until Next TimeCheck-Out
Check-out is at 11:00 AM. To help our small turnover team and keep cleaning fees low, please tackle this short list before you head out:
- Start a load of bath towels in the washer. Detergent is in the cabinet. Bath towels only — NOT the hot tub towels.
- Leave the hot tub towels on the laundry room floor so the cleaners can wash them separately.
- Load and start the dishwasher (pod is under the sink).
- Empty the fridge of anything you brought.
- Turn off all lights and TVs.
- Make sure the front and back doors are locked.
09 · Tidy UpTrash Disposal
Our cleaners handle the trash on turnover day, so you don't need to take anything out at check-out. But if your bags pile up mid-stay and you'd rather not have them in the kitchen, there's a community dumpster about a quarter-mile down the road that you're welcome to use anytime.
- Turn out of the driveway and head down the road (away from the cabin).
- You'll pass the row of other A-frame cabins on your left.
- Keep going just past them — the dumpster is on the left side of the road, before the public beach/lake access.
- It's a large metal dumpster with a lid — please close the lid so wildlife stays out.
Empty trash bags are under the kitchen sink. If the dumpster is full, just leave bagged trash next to it and we'll handle it.
10 · Get Your BearingsArea Map & Directions
The Cabin on the Map
This is exactly where you're headed — the pin is on the property.
Driving Directions from US-65 South
Final destination: 15117 Old Cricket Rd W, Omaha, AR 72662
- Merge onto US-65 S heading into Arkansas — about 9 min (8.9 mi).
- Turn right onto AR-14 W — 0.3 mi.
- Turn left to stay on AR-14 W — 2.8 mi.
- Slight left onto Old Cricket Rd W — 2.0 mi. The cabin is on the right.
Total from the US-65 / AR-14 junction: about 20 minutes. Cell service drops on the last mile — please download the route offline (or screenshot these steps) before you turn onto Old Cricket Rd W.
Area Landmarks Map
Where everything in this book is. Tap any pin for the name and a short note.
Pin legend: ● Cabin · ● Lake & Marinas · ● Daily Essentials · ● Dining · ● Activities
11 · DineWhere to Eat
We've split our favorites two ways: Family-Friendly (kid menus, casual, come as you are) and Date Night (a little dressier, worth the drive). Within each, you'll find breakfast, lunch, and dinner picks.
Breakfast
Pancakes the size of dinner plates and biscuits-and-gravy that locals line up for. Cash or card. Get there before 9 AM on weekends or be ready to wait.
Down-home country breakfast, friendly servers, easy for big groups with kids.
Lunch
The Branson tradition with the singing waitstaff — aspiring performers belt out a show tune between every order. Burgers, shakes, and a guaranteed memory the kids will be talking about for weeks.
Wood-fired pizzas and house-made pasta right on the waterfront at Branson Landing. Time it with the fountain show outside.
Dinner
Family-run for 20+ years — fried catfish, hush puppies, and live music most Thu/Fri/Sat nights.
Classic Branson BBQ joint — pulled pork, ribs, and burgers. Casual and quick.
Dinner
The signature dining room at Bass Pro's Top of the Rock, perched on a bluff over Table Rock Lake. Arrive an hour early, grab cocktails on the patio for the "End of the Trail" sunset, then sit down for chops and lake views. Reservations essential.
Upscale steakhouse on the second floor of the Hilton with a balcony view over the Branson Landing fountains. The lighting is dim, the steaks are excellent, and the dress code is "a step up from the cabin."
Romantic Italian with wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta, and a wine list deeper than you'd expect. Patio tables face the lake. Easy to walk after dinner.
12 · AdventureThings to Do
A four-course dinner served while a stadium-arena rodeo show happens around you — trick riders, racing pigs, fireworks indoors. Quintessential Branson, and the kids will lose their minds.
An 1880s theme park with 40+ rides, daily shows, and craft demos. World-class roller coasters and the best festivals (Pumpkin Nights and Old Time Christmas are unreal). Plan a full day — arrive at opening to beat lines.
80,000 square feet of ropes courses, treehouses, multi-story slides, tunnels, a laser room, and climbing walls. Great rainy-day plan. Tickets start ~$25 (unharnessed) up to ~$55 (all-access).
Two outdoor alpine coasters that wind through the Ozark hills — you control your speed. Copperhead (at Shepherd of the Hills) is the longest in the area; Runaway has the steeper drops.
A 350,000 sq ft museum + aquarium — one of the highest-rated attractions in the Midwest. Plan 3–4 hours. Adults ~$35–50, kids ~$21–25; book online for the lower price. Open Mon–Thu 10–5, Fri 10–7, Sat 9–7, Sun 10–6.
Tram tours past waterfalls, bison and elk, trout streams you can fish, and gentle bike/hike trails. A favorite for multi-generational trips.
Smaller and less crowded than the big show caves — guided cave tour plus a great playground and gemstone panning above ground.
One of the country's premier trout fisheries — rainbows and brown trout right below Table Rock Dam. Most guides do half- or full-day trips with all gear included.
Table Rock Guide Service — rainbow/brown trout, 20+ years on Taneycomo.
Eric's Elite Guide Service — bass and trout on Table Rock, Bull Shoals, and Taneycomo.
Cranor's Guide Service — White & Norfork rivers, Arkansas-side trophy browns.
Riley's Outfitter — full and half-day trips on the White River.
The public access points along Long Creek Arm are great for casting a line at sunset. Arkansas fishing licenses available online or at any Walmart.
A short walk from the fire pit leads to a rocky seasonal creek — perfect for skipping stones, splashing kids, or a quiet morning coffee. Watch for slick rocks.
The Buffalo's most beloved hike — natural bridges, Clark Creek, Eden Falls, and Cobb Cave. Great for families.
Tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians (204 ft). Pack water and snacks — this one earns the bragging rights.
Wooded trails along Beaver Lake's shoreline — great for half-day hikes with overlooks.
13 · Local EssentialsStocking Up & Getting Around
Closest Grocery
Full-size grocery on your way into Branson — produce, fresh meat, deli, beer/wine, and a bakery. The most convenient stop for a real stock-up.
Full-size supermarket for a big stock-up. Branson West also has a Walmart Neighborhood Market that's a little closer.
Firewood
Bundles of firewood are available at:
- Country Mart (Hollister) — if you're already stocking up on groceries.
- Cricket Creek Marina & Campground — closest if you're already lakeside.
- Walmart & gas stations in Branson West stock bundles too.
Please don't burn pallets, painted scrap, or wet/green wood in the fire pit — the grate is small and gets clogged.
Pharmacy & Urgent Care
- Harrison Walmart Pharmacy — 25 min south on Hwy 65.
- Cox Branson Urgent Care — 30 min for non-emergency care.
- North Arkansas Regional Medical Center (Harrison) — nearest hospital, 30 min.
14 · On the WaterTable Rock Lake & the Marinas
You're sitting on the Long Creek Arm of Table Rock Lake — one of the cleanest, clearest sections of the lake, and famously good for bass fishing.
Closest Marina
Boat & watercraft rentals (pontoons, ski boats, wave runners), tubes, fishing gear, fuel, and a small store. Reserve rentals in advance for summer weekends.
Boat slips, rentals, fishing supplies, and a public launch. The campground has a small store and ice. The closest spot for firewood if you're already by the lake.
Public Beach & Swim Areas
The Cricket Creek public beach is the closest swim/wade area (just past the community dumpster on your way out). Free, no lifeguard, sandy/gravel entry.
Boating Reminders
- Arkansas and Missouri share Table Rock — you can carry either state's fishing license, but follow the rules of whichever side you're on.
- Life jackets are required for kids 12 and under.
- Watch for floating debris in the spring and after storms.
15 · In Case OfHelp & Quick Fixes
Wi-Fi Down
Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug back in, wait 2 minutes. If still down, text us.
AC / Heat Not Working
Text us and we'll try to get someone out there the same day.
Hot Tub Looks Weird
Do not add anything. Cover it, text us a photo, and we'll try to get someone out there the same day.
Wildlife on the Porch
Please never leave food or trash outside, day or night — it keeps the cabin safe for wildlife and for the next guests.
16 · Coming Back?Book Direct Next Time
If you've enjoyed your stay, we'd love to host you again — and you can save by booking the next one directly with us.
- Same cabin, same dates — for less — no platform service fees.
- Talk to a human. Text us directly with questions or special requests.
- Returning-guest perks — early access to peak-season dates.