Campfire Ranch to reopen Bella Vista lodge
Campfire Ranch in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Photo by Garrett Hubbard
Colorado-based outdoor hospitality brand Campfire Ranch will open lodge Campfire Ranch Little Sugar in Bella Vista in spring 2025. According to Campfire Ranch, this will be the “first adventure lodge in Bella Vista.”
It will be located on the Little Sugar trail system, comprising 40 miles of multi-use trails. The property at 101 Chelsea Road formerly operated as the Inn at Bella Vista and was designed by renowned architect E. Faye Jones.
In partnership with landowner Blue Crane, Campfire Ranch will reopen the Inn at Bella Vista as an eight-room lodge. The 9,596-square-foot lodge will also be available for private events, corporate retreats and gatherings. The lodge will be remodeled and include a pool, fire pit, outdoor cooking space, and indoor lounge and bar.
“The Inn at Bella Vista, interior and exterior, had not been renovated in close to 30 years,” Katrin Meiusi, director of marketing for Campfire Ranch. “Renovations will consist of resurfacing and design of interior spaces, including new furniture and fixtures as well as refreshing the exterior including patio and landscaping. Campfire Ranch will be restoring the historic E. Fay Jones property to a period-specific design style while modernizing interior and facilities as relevant.”
Meiusi declined to provide renovation costs but said they would be “sizable.” Campfire Ranch will hire a full-time general manager to oversee the property year-round. Between three and four full- and part-time staff will be seasonal.
“We’re thrilled to be welcomed into the Northwest Arkansas community through our work with Blue Crane, whose vision for the future of Bella Vista is one that aligns perfectly with our mission to create authentic experiences in the great outdoors and promote stewardship for our shared playgrounds,” Meiusi said.
Founded by Tom and Steuart Walton, Blue Crane is the real estate acquisition and development arm of Runway Group, a Bentonville holding company that invests in real estate, outdoor initiatives and hospitality.