Blanchard Springs Cavern, Arkansas
 

Has anyone toured this cavern? We were thinking of visiting on an upcoming road trip and would like to hear from someone who has been through it.

Thanks!

It's been a LONG time (10+ years ago), but we did tour this cave during a vacation in that area. From what I recall, it was very interesting (but I find caves fascinating) and well worth the time. As I recall, there were several tours to choose from. It is, amazingly, the only cave that is part of the National Park system which makes it refreshingly non-commercialized and very "natural". The surrounding area is quite beautiful as well.

I don't think it is part of the NPS??? I think it's a state park. I have done several wild cave tours and this one is too on my list to do.

You might check out the wild cave tour there. It is a bit pricey, but I am sure would be well worth it.

Yes, I have done the tour several times over the past 30 years (approx). It has been 3 years since my last visit. I love going and always visit every time I am in the area (which is not very much thses days).

I believe the cave is run by the forestry service.

Go - you will not be disappointed.

Here are some reviews over on TA

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...s.html#REVIEWS

Great-- thanks, everyone. I will definitley put it on the list. I bet there is some good hiking in the area as well...

There is awesome hiking at
Buffalo River National River
Petit Jean State Park-cedar creek falls is a good hike there
Mount Nebo State Park
Mount Magazine State Park

My favorite hikes in Arkansas are(and in order):

Gloryhole Falls-This is the best small waterfall(only 16 feet) that I have seen in America. I am somewhat a waterfall nut. This one is very unique.

Hemmed in Hollow Falls- this is the tallest waterfall between the Appalachians and Rockys. You can do a 5 mile fairly strenuous hike to it or Kayak to it with a short 1/2 mile hike. The float on the Buffalo River is really good.

The Lost Valley- Several nice waterfalls, ending with a short adventure in a cave(take a flashlight). The cave has a large waterfall in it too. This hike has a lot of bang for a short 2 mile hike.

Hawksbill Crag-aka Whitaker Point
This appeared on front of Mcnalley Road Atlus a few years ago.

Pedestal Rock-3rd tallest waterfalls in Arkansas( 2 loop trails)

Triple Falls-- a very short walk to the prettiest waterfall in the Midwest.

All of the above is at or near the upper portion of the Buffalo River. The waterfalls are best in springtime or after a good rain. You can find most all of these on youtube.

Wow spirobulldog-- what a fabulous list! Thanks so much.
Lost Valley sounds really fun... this helps a lot!

I have been to 29 of our National Parks. I generally do the very best hikes at each place and I usually spend 2 or 3 days there. These hikes are just about as good as they get. One negative thing, is that when the falls are rolling good, usually the trails are somewhat muddy/wet. So, take an extra pair of shoes and socks.

Lost Valley, Pedestal Rocks, Glory Hole, Hemmed In, and Hawksbill are all within an hour of each other. Good camping spots in the area. Very very few places to eat. Really nothing to eat. Come prepared if you are staying for more than a day or two.

www.buffaloriver.com has nice cabins. Even Bill Clinton stays here occasionally.

links to a few pics over the last couple of years.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWLn
Glory Hole Falls

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWL2
Petit Jean State Park

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWMI
Buffalo River Kayaking and Cabin

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWLU
Mount Nebo

Wow-- I would love to see this Glory Hole and the falls. I suppose the cabins at the Buffalo River be a good base for exploring the area...

We are going in mid-February, so I know weather will be dicey and not sure about the status of falls at that time of year.
We are crossing our fingers for at least decent enough temps.

Oh one more thing I forgot to mention -- we will be traveling in a Miata and don't want to take unpaved roads. Any suggestions based on that restriction?

You won't be able to do Triple Falls. That is a tough road and I own a Jeep Wrangler.

Lost Valley is a dirt road, but it is normally very well maintained. It is only a couple of minutes of the main HWY. It is one of the main areas of the park, so you won't have any problems getting to it(shouldn't have any way).

Glory Hole Falls is unmarked,but you basically park right on the HWY. Take HWY 16/21 east from Fallsville turnoff for 5.7 miles. If you have made it to Cassville Baptist Church, you have gone .7 miles to far. There is no sign. There is a little pulloff that leads down an old 4 wheeler road.

You should buy Tim Ernst waterfalls book. It has a lot of good hikes.

In Feb. I would expect the Falls to be going pretty good. If you happened to catch it after a rain they will be really going. Your virtually guaranteed that Glory Hole Falls and Lost Valley will be going nicely anyway.

Pedstal Rock/Kings Bluff Fall( a 100 footer-3rd tallest in the state) is a nice hike too. It is pretty much on the hwy, so no dirt roads. You do two different loops here. Each loop is about 2 miles each. We always do one of them, eat lunch, then do the other. There is one picnic table there. This isn't far from Ben Hur. Don't confuss King's Bluff Falls with King's River Falls.

Hawksbill Crag is on a pretty serious Dirt Road, so you probably wouldn't want to do that one either.

I have hiked Hemmed In several times, but I can't remember exactly how that road is. I have hiked it from the river while kayaking(which is the best way), then the long hike to it a couple of times too. The long hike is not a killer, but it isn't a cakewalk. It is kinda tougher hike.

You might consider kayaking if the temp is up and water level isn't going to crazy high. You would definately want to rent a wet suit from him, just in case you turned over.
You can check www.buffaloriver.com website-he updates the river level each morning. The less air space the faster and harder the river runs-but that means waterfalls going better too. He has a chart on the sight that tells you about what to expect on the river depending on how much air space there is.

I go hiking in this area a lot in Feb. Very good chance I will be there too.

The cabins are very nice base. It would be a bit though to Blanchard Springs. This area reminds me of a mini Columbia River Gorge in Oregon(if you are familiar with that area).
Here is a link to some serious serious waterfall exploring with my daughter in Oregon. http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWMZ

The waterfall on pic #48 is about 175 ft tall that my daughter is going down.

http://www.timernst.com/JournalArchi...r2011jour.html

Sorry for the multiple posts. Scroll down to the 2nd picture. This is Tim Ernst Website. The 2nd pic is a frozen Glory Hole Falls. In Feb., there is a good chance you can catch it just like that. Amazing(I have yet to catch it like that)-makes me want to go see it when it is cold outside.

To spirobulldog...great list of trails for hiking. Arkansas is often overlooked for vacations...we lived in Springfield, MO, for some years. But surely if at Blanchard Springs Cave you must visit nearby Ozark Folk Center and also town of Mountain View with lively folk music around the square.
Bill in Boston

Yes, I think that Mountain View appeared on 19 Kids and Counting(or however whatever # they are on now-I stopped counting a long time ago). I think the Duggars had a pretty big segment on it. I imagine you could catch a rerun of it. Is that more of a summer thing they do there though?

I am really looking forward to this trip. I will get back to my research after the holidays. Thanks again-- all fabulous information!

Happy New Year! Back to planning our February road trip. I am thinking Blanchard Springs Cavern and one or maybe two hikes. Glory Hole is first choice; Pedstal Rock/Kings Bluff Fall second choices. How far are those from the cavern? The plan is to go to the Blanchard Springs and then head toward Eureka Springs....