Genre Travel Across the US, Part One
Caves and Caverns, Section Two: Arkansas
Continued from Yesterday
(NOTE: There are so many caves and caverns across the U.S., I’m breaking this section of "Genre Travel Across the US, Part One" into several posts, each one focusing on a single state.)
Onyx Cave
No Website
According to the flier, Onyx Cave has been "popular with honeymooners for almost 100 years." The attraction, located six miles east of Eureka Springs, Ark., includes a Button and Doll Museum, an audio tour. Other attractions nearby include Christ of the Ozarks and the Great Passion Play. The cave is open year-round starting at 8am. Closing time varies according to time of year. For more information, call 501-253-9321.
Cosmic Cavern – Home of the Ozarks Blind Cave Salamander
www.cosmiccavern.com
Located between Eureka Springs, Ark., and Branson, Mo., outside Berryville, Ark., off U.S. Highway 21, Cosmic Cavern boasts several underground lakes, including South Lake, which is stocked with rainbow trout. It is one of the warmest caves in the Ozarks – high humidity makes the 62-degree temperature feel much warmer. In 1993, the Silent Splendor Section was discovered. This pristine area contains ceiling covered with white soda straws and helictites, many of which are so clean that they are transparent. During the winter months, golden and bald eagles can be found around the cave. Average tour time is 1 hour 10 minutes. Opening times vary, but the cave is usually open on weekends.
Mystic Caverns
www.mysticcaverns.com
Located five miles north of Buffalo National River, between Jasper and Harrison, Ark., along U.S. Highway 7, Mystic Caverns stays at a comfortable 59 degrees. The caverns, which also include Crystal Dome Cavern, are open March 1 through Dec. 31, Monday through Saturday, from 9am. The attraction includes a gift shop and rock museum. Tours, which leave every 35 to 40 minutes, include information about the "pipe organ" and "spider monkey."
Bull Shoals Caverns
www.bullshoalscaverns.com
Located off U.S. Highway 178, outside of Bull Shoals, Ark., Bull Shoals Caverns feature an underground trout stream, underground rivers, a miniature lake and live formations. Considered one of the world’s oldest caverns, it is "air conditioned by nature" and has been used as a shelter by Native Americans and the Ozark mountaineers. Also at the location is Mountain Village 1890, a carefully restored Ozark community from the 19th century.
