After being closed for two years, officials with the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests announced on Tuesday that the reopening of Blanchard Springs Caverns is set for Aug. 18.
Multiple factors contributed to the lengthy closure of the Caverns, including ongoing facility repairs and safety mitigation measures related to the pandemic, the officials said in a media release.
“Safety and the desire to provide a quality visitor experience remain the top priorities for Forests and Caverns staff,” the release said. “Blanchard Springs Caverns is an Arkansas treasure and often considered the premier guided ‘living’ cave system open for public tour in the National Forest System.”
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests’ Recreation Staff Officer, Amy Burt, offers information on some of the changes visitors can expect upon reopening.
“Tickets must be pre-purchased through recreation.gov. Advanced ticketing for tours will allow the caverns to adequately staff guided tours on the Dripstone Trail and provide a more enhanced visitor experience,” Burt said. “Tours will be available Thursdays through Mondays and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.”
The more arduous Discovery and Wild Cave Tours will not be offered at this time due to staffing limitations.
“Visitors will be asked to wear a face mask during periods of high Covid-19 county community transmission levels. County levels are released every Friday and can be accessed at covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home,” Burt said. Blanchard Springs Caverns is in Stone County.
For more information about ticketing and Caverns operations, please click here.
Image via Recreation.gov
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