Blanchard Springs Caverns
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the most spectacular and carefully developed caves found anywhere in the world. It is located in the Ozark National Forest and is believed to have been formed, and continually changed, by an ongoing mountain spring that pours into a glassy-surfaced trout pond below the cave, called Mirror Lake.
Before entering the cavern, visitors will have an opportunity to view a short movie, introducing the wonders of the underground world they are about to discover. A variety of tours throughout the year provide visitors with different views of the cavern, as well as varying difficulty levels.
The active cave, with its glistening formations, stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones is constantly changing, providing return visitors something new to see each time. Beautifully lighted rooms, that accentuate the cave's features, are equipped with handrails and paved trails for comfortable walking. An undeveloped section of the cavern allows visitors an opportunity to climb over rocks, crawl through tight spaces and slide on red clay mudslides.
Prices to view the cavern vary by age and time of year between $0 and $12 for regular tours and $85 for the Wild Cave Tour. Group rates are available. The site's Visitor Center is equipped with a gift shop, exhibit hall, displays and accessible toilets, as well as information about the surrounding area.
Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the most spectacular and carefully developed caves found anywhere in the world. It is located in the Ozark National Forest and is believed to have been formed, and continually changed, by an ongoing mountain spring that pours into a glassy-surfaced trout pond below the cave, called Mirror Lake.
Before entering the cavern, visitors will have an opportunity to view a short movie, introducing the wonders of the underground world they are about to discover. A variety of tours throughout the year provide visitors with different views of the cavern, as well as varying difficulty levels.
The active cave, with its glistening formations, stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones is constantly changing, providing return visitors something new to see each time. Beautifully lighted rooms, that accentuate the cave's features, are equipped with handrails and paved trails for comfortable walking. An undeveloped section of the cavern allows visitors an opportunity to climb over rocks, crawl through tight spaces and slide on red clay mudslides.
Prices to view the cavern vary by age and time of year between $0 and $12 for regular tours and $85 for the Wild Cave Tour. Group rates are available. The site's Visitor Center is equipped with a gift shop, exhibit hall, displays and accessible toilets, as well as information about the surrounding area.
Notifications and Alerts
- Facilities at this location are closed. This includes facilities like visitor centers, entrance kiosks, museums and more. Keep in mind, trails and roads may be open for use. Local managers are committed to the health and safety of recreational visitors and our staff. We are following the guidelines from our agency and the CDC regarding COVID-19, closely monitoring the situation and responding to current conditions. Please contact the local facility before your visit for details and continue to monitor this page for status updates.
Need to Know
- RESERVATIONS
Visitors may book reservations 12 months in advance and up until the day before the tour. Same day tours may be available on a first-come, first-served basis and must be purchased at the Visitor Center.
- AVAILABILITY - DRIPSTONE, DRIPSTONE TOUR PHOTO, AND WILD CAVE TOURS
Available daily, April - October; Wednesday through Sunday, November through March (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day). Photo Tours and Wild Cave by reservation only.
- AVAILABILITY - DISCOVERY TOUR
Available daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day
- GENERAL INFORMATION
Appropriate footwear is required; Visitors with advance reservations must check in at the Visitor Center at least 30 minutes before tour departure time; Children ages 5 and under go free, but must have a ticket and be accompanied by an adult; Adult tickets are required for age 16 and up; child tickets are for ages 6 to 15
- LAST TOUR
Be advised; last tour of the day departs at 4:30 pm.
Booking Windows
No specific booking information available at this time. Please continue to monitor this page for status updates on ticket releases.
Changes and Cancellations
Cancellations must be made by midnight prior to the scheduled tour time for a full refund less the non-refundable per-ticket reservation fee. Refunds will not be given for tours cancelled or modified after midnight on the day of the tour.
Contact Information
Mailing Address
Blanchard Springs Fifty Six AR 72533
Phone Number
1-870-757-2211
Available Tours and Tickets
- Discovery Trail Photo Tour
- Discovery Trail Tour
- Discovery in the Dark Headlamp Tour
- Dripstone Trail Photo Tour
- Dripstone Trail Tour
- Wild Cave Tour
