Tripping Out: A Summertime Oasis in Arkansas is More Likely Than You Think

August is here, and with it comes the hottest stretch of the year in North Texas.

Luckily for us, there are more than a handful of easy destinations for a getaway that don't require stepping foot in an airport.

If you want a shorter drive to escape Texas altogether and you only have a short weekend to do so, heading north to Mount Magazine, Arkansas, is probably your best bet. Depending on the direction you take, Mount Magazine is only about five and a half hours away by car. Just slightly longer than a trip to Houston, but so much better.

The big local attraction of Mount Magazine, of course, is its state park. At a peak of 2,753 feet, you’ll instantaneously relax when taking in its intoxicating vistas. You’ll also enjoy opportunities to explore nature, as the state park is within the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests. Other outdoor activities visitors can enjoy include mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, backpacking and riding ATVs.

For the more ambitiously daring weekender, you can also engage in rock climbing or find joy in hurling yourself from an official hang glider perch; each offers adrenaline-pumping thrills. Picnic areas and a pavilion abound, and park interpreters lead an array of programs that address the biodiversity of Mount Magazine.

The Lodge at Mount Magazine is the optimum choice for overnight accommodations. This modern, rustic-style mountain lodge features scenic overlooks that take in the Petit Jean River Valley and Blue Mountain Lake. It also offers business amenities like a conference room and business center, but since this trip is strictly a heat-escaping adventure, the only things you need to concern yourself with are the indoor swimming pool, fitness center and Skycrest Restaurant with southern comfort food. TripAdvisor gives the lodge a 4.5 out of 5 rating, where one happy lodger recommends enjoying a meal at the restaurant and hiking early, while another guest quipped that weekday accommodations are less expensive and the lodge is quieter. Another guest commented that their third-floor deluxe queen room was spacious and offered great balcony views of sunrises and sunsets.

Lodge prices vary depending on your stay, but there are other accommodation options in town. Travel and booking sites listing nearby places ranged from the low $40s to slightly more than $115 a day.

If lodges are not your thing, you can make reservations at one of the 18 state park camping sites or stay in a cabin on the park’s grounds. The camping sites accommodate tent camping, RVs and trailers, and offer electricity, water and sewer services. A fire ring, grill and a picnic table are also featured at all campsites. Two class AAA camp sites offer 50 amp electricity, water and sewer, while 16 class AA tent-only camp sites have 30 amp electricity, water and sewer.

There are 13 different cabins with one, two and three-bedroom options available. All share lodge views of the park, and feature fireplaces, covered decks, outdoor hot tubs and fully equipped kitchens. Prices for cabins, campsites, and the lodge vary and depend on the length of stay, so you'll want to call the park for specific dates and prices.

It sure beats a concrete stay-cation, right?