One of a Kind: TimberRidge Lodge

Article and photos by Bob Pest

Timber Ridge Lodge is one of a kind.  Built almost entirely by Don Henley and his family using cypress from the land that was cleared for the lodge and surrounding area, and decorated by Henley’s wife Ina Lee, an antique dealer and world-class scavenger, TimberRidge is unique inside and out. The spacious lodge and companion bunkhouse sit atop a ridge near Charlotte in eastern Independence County, surrounded by 700 acres of rolling hills, open meadows, and spring-fed streams and ponds.  Since opening in 2000, Timber Ridge has established itself as one of the region’s most visited deer hunting locations.  When hunting is not in season it enjoys an equally outstanding reputation for hosting weddings, corporate retreats, family and class reunions, and weekend getaways.

Few locations offer broader vistas than Timber Ridge.  The wrap-around porch that surrounds the 12,000 square foot lodge provides dramatic views in any direction.  Given the sense of “away from it all” that overtakes the visitor, the lodge is surprisingly accessible, about 12 miles east of Batesville on State Highway 25, just one turn and less than a mile from the highway.

During deer season, Timber lives up to its motto:  “Whitetail hunting at its best.” The surrounding acreage is made up of hardwood stands, cedar thickets, clearcuts, and manicured food plots, a combination that makes the area a whitetail sanctuary.  Complete hunting packages are available, including lodging, meals, guide, airport pickup, taxidermy consulting, and meat processing.  Hunts customarily include four nights lodging with three days hunting.

TimberRidge includes 3 stocked ponds for fishing, with bass, crappie, and catfish.  There is no fishing fee for lodge guests.  The grounds also include a swimming pool, basketball court and plenty of room for outdoor activities like Frisbee or badminton.  The grounds are well maintained and calming, inviting reflection, strolling, or just plain daydreaming.

The lodge itself becomes the center of activity out of hunting season. The enormous ceiling in the main room allows the visitor to appreciate the work that went into every bean.  There is also something satisfying about being in a log house that was built with wood cleared for the project, especially sitting in front of the fireplace made by hand with local stones. 

There are nine bedrooms and seven bathrooms in the lodge.  The master suite includes two bedrooms, a fireplace, and a jacuzzi and cries out “weekend getaway.”  Indoor amenities include a large screen TV and a pool table on the lower level.  Most weekends the lodge is used for groups and events, but the master suite and individual rooms can be reserved by individuals.  The neighboring Bunkhouse includes several large dorm-style rooms and can sleep up to forty for youth and church groups and family reunions.     

Decor in both the lodge and the bunkhouse is an incredible combination of mounted deer, ducks, fish, geese, and other game; Native American artifacts and memorabilia; fishing and hunting gear and attire; fish nets; Ozark crafts; even a boat on the wall.  The centerpiece is a massive lantern in the main room, an architectural masterpiece composed of dozens of antlers.  Other signature decorating touches include two hand-carved Native American mannequins who seem to be romantically linked and an assortment of humorous bathroom signs.  Ina Lee Henley searched high and low to find unique furniture and decorative items compatible with the lodge’s hand-hewn character.  What she could not find at antique shops, thrift stores, and yard sales, she and her family made, including many of the beds.  The end result is nothing short of amazing.  Each room at TimberRidge provides a museum experience; each decorative item (and there are many) has its own story.  Ina Lee is always happy to talk about her discoveries, especially her roadside finds.

Ina Lee also handles the bulk of the kitchen duties.  She cooks everything from scratch using fresh, local ingredients.  Catered dinners start at just $25 person.  Rental rates are equally reasonable, ranging from $150 plus tax per day for the two-bedroom suite to $600 to $800 plus tax for the entire lodge per day, depending upon the kind of activities planned.  The Bunkhouse rents for $400 plus tax per day.

In an increasingly homogenous world, TimberRidge provides a large, refreshing dose of personality.  The Henley family has created a special haven for escaping the mundane and getting back, really back, to nature and things that really matter.