Officials of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests have announced a season-long celebration for the 50th anniversary of Blanchard Springs Caverns.
July 7 will mark 50 years of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests hosting public tours in the caverns. The anniversary season will run through the end of the operating season (Thanksgiving weekend, 2023).
On July 7, the Caverns will host festivities featuring a special appearance by Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl. There will also be a display of construction photos from the late 1960s and early 1970s and Forest Service fire engines on site. Guests can enjoy hot dogs and cookies, and additional Dripstone Trail tours will be available. Additionally, visitors can purchase anniversary memorabilia from the gift shop.
Before going, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests officials remind visitors:
Tickets are selling out almost daily and will likely sell out early during the anniversary week due to the Independence Day holiday. Tickets must be purchased in advance at https://www.recreation.gov. Advanced ticketing for tours allows the Caverns to adequately staff-guided tours and provide a more enhanced visitor experience.
· Prices range from $16 for adults, $11 for children ages 6-15, and $1 for children ages 0-5. The Visitor Center and Eastern National gift shop will be open Thursdays-Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Eastern National is a non-profit association committed to “supporting the interpretive, educational, and scientific programs and services of the National Park Service and other public trust partners.”
· The Dripstone Tour is a one-hour-long, one half-mile tour that takes visitors through the beautiful upper level of the Caverns. This tour was designed to accommodate strollers and wheelchairs with a strong assistant. This tour is open daily.
· Tours of the Discovery Trail are open through Labor Day. This 1.2-mile arduous, non-accessible tour with nearly 700 steps is hosted in one of the lower levels of the Caverns. This tour is only offered Friday-Sunday, except July 7 (to allow for the addition of extra Dripstone Trail tours).
· The Wild Cave Tour is not currently being offered.
For more information about tickets or to purchase one, please visit: https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/facility/233266.
For general information about the Caverns, please call (870) 757-2211.
Image: recreation.gov
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