Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
Helpfulness
I have generally sworn off taking cave tours, as so many of them are a waste of time an money, and you don't feel that you are seeing a cave as much as a spectacular light show. After hearing recommendations from fellow travelers in the area, we decided to give Blanchard Springs Caverns a shot, and were pleased we did so. It has beautiful formations, not the most spectacular we have seen, and the tour guide was exceptionally knowledgable. We felt that we were viewing nature, not an artificial light show.
There are three tours available. We took the Dripstone Trail through the upper level of the caverns and the easiest. The longer and more strenuous Discovery Trail explores the middle level. As we were entering the caverns we met a small group emerging from the Wild Cave Tour. They wore helmets with lights, carried flashlights and other spelunking equipment. They really get to explore a cave! Sounds like great fun.
Additional cave photos are (will be) shown in a travelogue.
Updated Jul 8, 2004
Who needs a man-made pool when you have a cool, clear gravel-bottomed stream like this in which to swim? This is a marvelous way to laze away a summer's afternoon. At this location there are shelter houses for picnics, restrooms, and a concrete parking lot.
Updated Jul 8, 2004
Whether you see it by car, on foot, or bicycle, take time to vew the Ozark Mountain scenery, and enjoy some time of quiet solitude. This view is of North Sylamore Creek. The water is so clear, you can watch the trout swimming.
Updated Jun 29, 2004
Blanchard and Gunner Pool Campgrounds: Camping in the Park
basstbn Says: Nancy and I are not campers, although I used to enjoy it years ago. We stayed in a B&B in nearby Mountain View. We did, however, admire the campgrounds and the beautiful surroundings at the Blanchard Recreation Area. Blanchard Campground has 32 sites, and is equipped with...
Pack up your cooler with picnic fixin's and enjoy the outdoors at some of the nice picnic grounds in the area. There is a $3 charge to use the grounds unless you have purchased tickets to view the caverns, in which case it is free.
Favorite Dish: Pick up some fresh fruit (in season) from farmers' stands.
Written Jun 13, 2004
I am reporting what I saw - not what I did. There are a number of hiking trails that appear to be well-marked. Park guides recommend the North Sylamore Hiking Trail, 15 miles in length along the creek. Bikes are not permitted on this trail.
Mountain bikers have large selection of back roads to travel, as well as a new Mountain Bike Trail under construction (maybe finished by now.)
There is excellent trout fishing at Mirror Lake, and a number of places to swim.
Written Jun 29, 2004
Blanchard Springs Recreation Area, Arkansas
Lying in the heart of the Ozark National Forest, and about fifteen to twenty minutes north of Mountain View, Arkansas, is the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area. A popular destination within the park...
Build your own Blanchard Springs page
Comments