Blanchard
Springs Caverns is the jewel in the Ozark National Forest Crown.
Dubbed by Life Magazine as "one of the most extraordinary finds
of the century" this living cave is constantly in the process
of formation. Two paved, lighted trails, one of which is handicapped
accessible with assistance, are open to visitors of all ages. Led
by knowledgeable Forest Service Guides, the tour winds through water-carved
passages, including an underground river and the world's largest
flowstone. The Wild Cave Tour is available by special arrangement
for more adventuresome explorers.
Blanchard's namesake spring pours out of
the mountainside and into a glassy-surfaced trout pond appropriately
named Mirror Lake. The lake is a great place to take the family
pond fishing for rainbow trout. Nearby is a short, scenic walk to
the falls where all water exits from the caverns. This is one of
the prettiest spots in the Ozark National Forest and not
to be missed.
Special interpretive programs are presented at
the Sheltered Cave Amphitheater three times weekly from Memorial
Day through Labor Day. These programs are free to Blanchard Springs
campers with only a small fee for non-campers.
Swimming holes and creeks, fishing, camping,
group and individual picnic areas, hiking trails, wildlife, educational
programs and a gift shop full of nature oriented books and gizmos
make Blanchard Springs Caverns the perfect family destination.
Season Passes are available for Cavern tours:
$25 adult
$12.50 ages 6-15
$12.50 for Golden Age or Access
Passport holders
5th Annual Caroling in the Caverns 2007 -
Beginning November 24 Treat your family to wonderful holiday music, created from the
acoustic combination of talented area musicians' voices and stringed
instruments filling the air of the great Cathedral Room at Blanchard
Springs Caverns, near Mountain View, Arkansas.
Not only are there matinee performances
each Saturday and Sunday in December, but also being offered
again this year, with the matinee performances only, is an "Early
Bird" special
walking tour of Blanchard Springs Caverns. 2007 schedule subject
to change.
"Caroling in the Caverns" ticket
prices are $17.00 or $24.00
for a combination "Early Bird" tour
and matinee performance.
This will be the sixth year and all performances
have sold out every year. Cavern guides escort you into the Cathedral
Room where the incredible sound of area folk musicians rises
out of the semi-dark. The combination of music and Mother Nature’s
acoustically perfect Cathedral Room at Blanchard Caverns is “a
natural”.
To best describe what a great experience this is, was a quote from
one guest, “I was deep in the earth and yet I’ve never
felt closer to Heaven.”
All Performances are Now SOLDOUT
Advanced tickets are required for “Caroling
in the Caverns” at
$17.00 each or $24.00 for a combination "Caroling in the
Caverns" matinee' performance and "Early Bird" Cavern
tour and can be obtained through the Mountain View Area Chamber
of Commerce at 888-679-2859. 2007 rates are subject
to change.
In addition to “Caroling in the Caverns”,
other Christmas season activities in Mountain View include The
Courthouse and Christmas Tree Lighting, area
holiday music shows and lighting displays throughout town.