Sylamore Splash
(Blanchard's New Quarterly Newsletter)
THE CAVERNS
Blanchard Springs Caverns is administered by the U.S. Forest
Service.
Blanchard is a three-level system, but only two levels of the
caverns are open for guided tours.
Blanchard Springs Caverns
offers three tours. The Dripstone
National Recreation Trail winds through the magnificently decorated upper
level. The longer, more strenuous Discovery
Trail explores the middle level of the Caverns system.
The Wild
Cave Tour offers visitors an introduction to spelunking
in a structured enviroment. Informative Forest Service interpreters
guide the tours. The Dripstone and Discovery tours are limited to
around 30 people; the Wild Cave Tour is limited to 12 people. All
tours begin at the Visitor Information Center, where the Ozark Interpretive
Association sells books, maps, and other educational materials.
OF
SPECIAL INTEREST:
Wild
Cave Tour
The newest of the Caverns tours takes
visitors to the undeveloped sections of the middle level. Participants
should be in good physical shape, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and
come prepared to get dirty and have fun. Tour participants should
expect to climb very steep slopes, crawl on hands and knees, pass
under low ceilings, and travel through red clay.
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At Blanchard Springs
Caverns...
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