A 97-degree Texarkana afternoon has a pretty simple solution, and it isn’t complicated: something cold, something sweet, and a few minutes in the shade. Between the local snow cone shacks that have been Ark-La-Tex summer institutions for years and the national ice cream names that have set up shop in town, there’s a genuinely good range of options within a short drive of the RV park. Here’s the honest rundown.
Snow Cones and Shaved Ice: The Local Favorites
Snow cones in Texarkana aren’t just a kids’ treat — the local shaved ice scene has real depth, with multiple stands earning loyal followings and repeat customers across both the Texas and Arkansas sides of the city.
Southern Tropics
Southern Tropics consistently comes up as one of the most-loved shaved ice destinations in the area, with regulars specifically praising the texture of the ice — soft rather than the crunchy, chunky shave that a dull blade produces — and a genuinely wide flavor selection. If you’re going to try one local shaved ice stand this summer, Southern Tropics is the one that shows up first in nearly every local recommendation.
Angie’s Tropical Sno
Angie’s Tropical Sno, located at 540 W. Locke Street in Ashdown, Arkansas (across from Little River Memorial Hospital), has been in business for 22 years and offers more than 1,000 flavor combinations — an almost absurd amount of choice for a snow cone stand, alongside specialty drinks, rolled ice cream, and nutritional smoothies for anyone wanting something beyond a classic snow cone. The combination of longevity and flavor range makes Angie’s worth the slightly longer drive out to Ashdown for groups who want to make a specific outing of it.
Wake Village Shaved Ice
Wake Village Shaved Ice, also known locally as “Cheetah’s,” is at 800 N. Kings Highway in Wake Village. Hours run Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 1 to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. — call (903) 278-8174 to confirm current hours before making a special trip, as small snow cone stands sometimes adjust hours seasonally. Word from regulars is that kids especially love the gummy bear topping option here.
“The thing about the good snow cone stands around here is that they’re all a little different — different ice texture, different flavor combinations, different vibe. Southern Tropics regulars and Angie’s regulars will each tell you theirs is better, and honestly, they’re both right for different reasons.”
Other Local Stands Worth Knowing
Snow Ballin Sno Cone Shoppe, Shivers Shaved Ice & Snack Shack, The Chilly Heifer Shaved Ice, and Frosty’s Sno Shak round out the area’s shaved ice scene, each with their own following. Given how quickly seasonal stands can shift hours or locations, checking current status on Facebook or Yelp before making a special trip to any of these smaller, independently run stands is worth the extra minute.
Ice Cream and Frozen Treats: The Reliable Options
For a more classic ice cream experience — cones, sundaes, milkshakes — Texarkana has a good mix of national names and reliable local stops.
Andy’s Frozen Custard
Andy’s Frozen Custard brings genuine Midwest-style frozen custard — denser and creamier than standard soft serve — to the Texarkana ice cream scene, and it consistently ranks among the top-reviewed dessert stops in town. If you haven’t had real frozen custard before, the texture difference from regular soft serve is immediately noticeable, and it’s worth the visit for that alone.
Cold Stone Creamery
Cold Stone Creamery offers the customizable mix-in ice cream experience the chain is known for — choose your base flavor, then have it mixed with candy, fruit, or other add-ins on a frozen granite stone. It’s a reliable, kid-friendly option when you want guaranteed consistency and a familiar menu.
TCBY and Dairy Queen
TCBY Richmond Ranch offers frozen yogurt for anyone wanting a slightly lighter option than full-fat ice cream, with the self-serve or counter-service format that makes portion control easy for families. Dairy Queen‘s Texarkana location gets specifically strong marks from regulars for consistent quality and friendly service — a dependable classic-Americana stop that works well combined with a meal rather than just a dessert-only visit.
Dirty Dough and Blizzard Ice Cream
Dirty Dough in Texarkana specializes in stuffed cookies rather than traditional ice cream, but it’s worth knowing about for the same “something sweet on a hot day” impulse, particularly for groups where not everyone wants ice cream specifically. Blizzard Ice Cream rounds out the local dessert lineup as another specifically ice-cream-focused option in the Texarkana area.
Planning a Sweet-Treat Stop Into Your Texarkana Day
The practical approach that works well for RV park guests: treat a snow cone or ice cream stop as the reward at the end of an outdoor morning rather than a separate trip. If you’ve spent the morning at Spring Lake, Wright Patman, or one of the downtown Texarkana museums, timing the drive back through town to hit one of these stands in the early-to-mid afternoon — after the morning activity, before the worst of the afternoon heat sets in for a return to the RV — gives the treat stop a natural place in the day’s rhythm rather than requiring a dedicated separate outing.
Snow cones/shaved ice: Southern Tropics (widely regarded as top local pick). Angie’s Tropical Sno, 540 W. Locke St, Ashdown AR — 22 years, 1,000+ flavors, rolled ice cream, smoothies. Wake Village Shaved Ice (“Cheetah’s”), 800 N. Kings Highway, Wake Village — (903) 278-8174, hours vary by day. Also: Snow Ballin, Shivers, The Chilly Heifer, Frosty’s Sno Shak.
Ice cream/frozen treats: Andy’s Frozen Custard (Midwest-style custard). Cold Stone Creamery (customizable mix-ins). TCBY Richmond Ranch (frozen yogurt). Dairy Queen (classic, strong local reviews). Dirty Dough (stuffed cookies). Blizzard Ice Cream.
Timing tip: pair a treat stop with the tail end of a morning outing rather than a standalone trip — hit it on the drive back before peak afternoon heat.
Note: hours at small independent stands can shift seasonally — check Facebook or call ahead before a special trip.
For guests planning a full Texarkana summer stay with day trips and treat stops built in, the RV travel and Texarkana area guide covers the broader regional picture. Current rates for any length stay are at the RV Park Texarkana pricing page. Families wanting cabin space for a longer summer visit can check the cabin accommodations at RV Park Texarkana. Visitors approaching from the Hooks, Texas corridor can check the RV park near Hooks, TX page. And for booking any Texarkana stay, RV Park Texarkana is the starting point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best snow cone stand near Texarkana?
Southern Tropics is consistently the most frequently recommended shaved ice destination in the Texarkana area, with regulars specifically praising the soft, non-chunky ice texture and wide flavor selection. Angie’s Tropical Sno, located at 540 W. Locke Street in Ashdown, Arkansas, is another standout with over 22 years in business and more than 1,000 flavor combinations, plus rolled ice cream and smoothies for variety beyond a classic snow cone. Wake Village Shaved Ice (also known as “Cheetah’s”) at 800 N. Kings Highway in Wake Village is another well-regarded local option with specific daily hours worth confirming by phone at (903) 278-8174 before visiting.
Where can I get frozen custard in Texarkana?
Andy’s Frozen Custard has a location in the Texarkana area and consistently ranks among the top-reviewed dessert destinations in town. Frozen custard differs from standard soft serve in that it’s churned at a slower speed with less air incorporated and typically contains egg yolks, producing a noticeably denser, creamier texture than regular ice cream or soft serve. For visitors who haven’t tried genuine frozen custard before, the texture difference is immediately apparent and worth experiencing during a Texarkana visit.
What are Angie’s Tropical Sno’s hours and location?
Angie’s Tropical Sno is located at 540 W. Locke Street in Ashdown, Arkansas, directly across from Little River Memorial Hospital. The business has been operating for 22 years and offers more than 1,000 flavor combinations for their shaved ice, along with specialty drinks, rolled ice cream, and nutritional smoothies. Given that hours at seasonal shaved ice stands can vary and sometimes shift throughout the summer, checking their current hours via their Facebook page or calling ahead before a special trip is a good practice, particularly if you’re driving out from Texarkana specifically for a visit.
Is there a Dairy Queen near Texarkana RV Park?
Yes, Dairy Queen has a location in the Texarkana area, and it consistently receives strong reviews from regular customers for both food quality and friendly, consistent service. As a chain with a familiar menu of soft serve, Blizzards, and classic fast-food items, Dairy Queen works well as a combined meal-and-dessert stop rather than a dessert-only destination, making it a practical choice for families who want a reliable, kid-friendly option after a day of outdoor activity in the Texarkana area.
What is Wake Village Shaved Ice, also known as “Cheetah’s”?
Wake Village Shaved Ice, locally known as “Cheetah’s,” is a snow cone stand located at 800 N. Kings Highway in Wake Village, near Texarkana. Hours are Monday through Wednesday from 1 to 9 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 1 to 8 p.m., Saturday from noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 9 p.m. — call (903) 278-8174 to confirm current hours, as seasonal stands sometimes adjust their schedule. The stand is popular with families, and kids in particular are known to enjoy the gummy bear topping option available there.
Are there ice cream options besides traditional dairy ice cream near Texarkana?
Yes. TCBY Richmond Ranch offers frozen yogurt as a lighter alternative to traditional ice cream. Dirty Dough in Texarkana specializes in stuffed cookies rather than ice cream, offering a different kind of sweet treat option for groups where not everyone wants ice cream specifically. Several local snow cone and shaved ice stands, including Angie’s Tropical Sno, also offer rolled ice cream and nutritional smoothies alongside their classic shaved ice offerings, giving visitors a range of frozen treat textures and formats beyond the standard cone or cup of ice cream.