Welcome!
We are glad you are considering spending your vacation with us at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. Your visit helps to support the Refuge and helps us care for the many animals that call TCWR home! Here you will find all of our lodging policies. These can also be found in your confirmation email. We hope you enjoy your stay at Turpentine Creek. See you soon!
Check-in & Check out times
Check-in is 3:00PM. Checkout is no later than 11:00AM
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 2 weeks (14 or more days) prior to your arrival date, you will receive full reimbursement for your stay. If you cancel 2-13 days prior to your arrival date, you will be charged a $35 cancellation fee, and we will refund the difference back to you. If you cancel within 48 hours of your reservation, you will be charged a cancellation fee of one night and we will refund the difference back to you. If you cancel at least 24 hours before your arrival date, you will also be given the option of receiving a lodging gift certificate in the full amount that you paid to redeem on a stay with us at a later date in lieu of a refund.
Pet Policy
Pets are not allowed at any time around the animals at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge. ADA service animals (excluding emotional support animals, comfort animals) are allowed around the animals as long as they are kept under control of their handler at all times. If the animal causes disruption or stress in our animals we reserve the right to ask you to leave.
The only rooms that Non-Service animals, including emotional support animals (per ADA and Arkansas State Law), are allowed in are the Siberian and Bengal suite with a $25 per pet (max 2) fee, animals not allowed in the other rooms.
Smoking
NON-SMOKING: All of our Rooms are non-smoking. If you smoke in your room, a $250.00 Smoking Penalty Charge and will be charged to the credit card on file. If you are a smoker, please ensure that any doors or windows your room are closed to prevent cigarette smoke from getting into the room. Smoking is prohibited in the Self-Discovery area, on the tour loop, or within 5 feet of any animal enclosure.
Damages
You are responsible for any damage done to the Refuge and removal of any furnishings, to include linens, pillows, and towels. Should the staff find rooms damaged in any way, we will charge the credit card on file for the room and all damages and/or cleaning fees. Fees may vary depending upon the amount necessary to restore or replace the damaged property.
INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the case of inclement weather that makes you feel unsafe, we urge you to take cover in the Public Restroom that is on the main drive in front of the gift shop. The code for this restroom is 25273. To check road conditions for snowy weather, please click here.
General Policies
GRILL POLICY: Due to fire-hazard, no grills or portable heaters are allowed.
ANIMALS: Please do not feed or harass any animals during your stay. Our #1 Goal is to provide our animal residents with the quality care and respect they deserve. Our animals are on restricted diets and any food that is not in their regimen can cause them harm. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge reserves the right to ask anyone not following this rule to leave immediately with no reimbursement.
CHILDREN: Please do not allow children to go unattended. The staff reserves the right to restrict or prohibit access to any areas if children are deemed unruly.
FENCES AND LOCKED GATES: Do not at any time go behind any fence or through any locked gates.
QUIET TIME: 11 pm to 8 am is designated as a quiet time for all overnight lodging guests.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY: Call 911 for all medical, domestic or safety emergencies
FOR ANY OTHER EMERGENCIES: Call Scott Smith, Vice President (479) 253-3318 or Miranda Smith, Hospitality Coordinator (479) 244-5740.
48 Hours before your arrival, you will receive a detailed email with important information about your check-in procedure. Please read all details of this email before your check-in date.
If you subscribed to our texting, you will receive a text approximately 24 hours in advance of your reservation that contains the gate code or restroom codes (for Glamping Tents and RV Sites)
If you arrive prior to check in, you will be able to tour the Refuge at no extra charge while you wait for your spot to become available.
If you are checking in before 6:00PM, please go to the gift shop upon arrival and complete your registration. If you will not make it before 6:00PM, please consult your email for further instructions to complete check-in.
The Refuge is a non-profit organization and the cost of your stay goes to help our animal residents.
Wifi: We provide free wifi for our lodging guests. To connect, select Turpentine_Creek_Guest. This is an unsecured network so please use at your own discretion. This is a complementary service and we cannot guarantee it will always be working due to our location. This is also Sit back and enjoy the soothing sounds of the animals caroling throughout your stay. Relax you are on vacation!
FRONT GATE: The front gate has a delay, so please wait a full 5 seconds before trying to re-enter your access code. If you have issues, push the call button on the box.
You are welcome to come and go from the Discovery area during regular business hours. After this time, the gates will be locked. You will still be able to come and go from the property at night.
Rooms with Handicap Ramps
Turpentine Creek has 3 rooms with ramps. These rooms are NOT ADA compliant but do have ramps for easy access for individuals with mobility issues. Our Okavango lodge, Siberian suite, and Bengal suites have ramps to assist with access to these rooms.
Glamping Tents Disclaimer
Our Bam Bam Bungalow and Tigris Tents are tent-style camping and weather will affect your experience. The unit has air-conditioning, but can get very warm if the sun is shining directly on the tent in temperatures above 75 degrees. The unit will cool down again once the tent is in shade. We recommend you go play during the day!!