Caverns closing in early April for improvements

Paul McIntosh, supervisory guide/inspector in training to oversee the contractors during the work on Blanchard Springs Caverns, shows off the Phase 1 improvements of the electrical systems that will run the facility at the caverns.
Paul McIntosh, supervisory guide/inspector in training to oversee the contractors during the work on Blanchard Springs Caverns, shows off the Phase 1 improvements of the electrical systems that will run the facility at the caverns.

Those who grow up in Arkansas will likely hear about or visit the Ozark National Forest’s majestic Blanchard Springs Caverns. Located 15 miles northwest of Mountain View, the park is undergoing some upgrades to make it safer and more comfortable.

The main goal this year, said Shane Avey, recreation operation specialist, is to complete the upgrades to the electrical system with last year’s funding. A new emergency generator and switch gear are currently being installed, he said, noting that the project started last fall and should be completed in mid-April.

The caverns will be closed April 3-16, which will allow workers to complete the installation of the generator, Avey said.

“Future plans, when funding is available, are to upgrade the mechanical systems, such as the HVAC components and elevator controls, and possibly make interior renovations to the theater building,” Avey said.

The components were the original ones installed in the late 1960s and early 1970s and had become outdated, Avey said.

“The new components will make operation of the visitor center more efficient and comfortable for the visitors,” he said.

Aside from a temporary closure, the caverns will not be affected by the current renovations, Avey said.

“We have tried to focus all renovations during periods of lower visitation and use,” he said.

He added that park officials are excited to see the upgrades in the works.

“Each project will make it safer and more comfortable for the public who visit the facility and the caverns,” he said.

Visitation to Blanchard Springs averages about 70,000 people per year, Avey said. Last year was a particular good year for attendance, with nearly 80,800 visitors, he said.

“We hope to see those numbers again in 2017,” he said.

Because the park is a year-round operation, Avey said, there are several “peaks and valleys” throughout the year.

“Our busiest times are March during spring break and mid-June through mid-August during the summer months,” he said.

Blanchard Springs offers three different tours, according to its website. All three — the Dripstone Trail, the Discovery Trail and the Wild Cave Tour — are led by U.S. Forest Service guides. The Discovery tour also has a version that uses headlamps.

One reason the tours might be so popular in the summer is they provide a good way to escape the Arkansas heat. The cave stays at 58 degrees year-round, the website states.

“The cave is often called the ‘living cave’ because it’s constantly changing and growing. The rock formations during each tour are ever-changing, and each time you visit, it will be a whole new experience,” the website states.

Blanchard Springs also offers camping, fishing and swimming opportunities, so families and friends can make a weekend out of their caverns visit. Biking and hiking trails also attract visitors.

The caverns’ namesake comes from the year-round spring that gushes at the base of the mountain, according to the website.

“The spring is the headwaters for beautiful Mill Creek, which with the help of underground springs, creates Mirror Lake, which surges over a man-made dam, resulting in a spectacular waterfall,” the website states.

For more information on Blanchard Springs Caverns or to plan an adventure there, visit www.blanchardsprings.org.

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