Blanchard Springs Caverns

The cave was known locally but not systematically explored until the 1960s, when the Forest Service surveyed it and decided to develop it for public tours - unusually, it is one of very few caves in the country run by the Forest Service rather than a park service or a private company. Access for visitors is by a lift shaft sunk to the Dripstone Trail level. It is a living cave: water still flows through it, formations are still growing, and the humidity is high enough to be noticeable. The Discovery Trail on the lower level follows the stream that cut the system and involves around seven hundred steps. Wild cave tours run with helmets and lamps into undeveloped passage. White-nose syndrome has affected the bats.

What you actually see

• A living cave - water flowing and formations still growing.
• Two developed trails - Dripstone above, Discovery on the stream below.
• A lift shaft to the upper level - the standard access.
• Wild cave tours - into undeveloped passage with lamps.

When to go

Year round; the cave holds about 14 degrees. Three hours.

Honest expectations

The Discovery Trail has around seven hundred steps and is seasonal. Tours are timed and sell out at peak. Bat protection measures have closed sections and require decontamination of gear. It is remote - Mountain View is the nearest town of any size.

Nearby

Mountain View is south; the Buffalo National River is north-west.