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BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS AND SYLAMORE RANGER DISTRICT, OZARK NATIONAL FOREST

SYLAMORE RANGER DISTRICT, OZARK NATIONAL FOREST

The Sylamore Ranger District lies in the heart of the Ozarks. Here you can see picturesque rock bluffs, swim in crystal clear streams, fish for trout or smallmouth bass, hunt for various in-season game, or hike wooded hillsides. On the White and Buffalo Rivers, which border the district to the east and west, you can enjoy fine float fishing and canoeing.

Spring wildflowers, summer greens, autumn foliage, and winter views bring beauty to every season. The abundant wildlife tends to be secretive, but you may spot a deer, brilliant butterflies, singing birds, or a darting lizard. Come and enjoy your national forest while camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, hunting, or driving the Sylamore Scenic Byway.

RECREATION

The Blanchard Recreation Area offers a rich outdoor experience. Stroll the paved trail to Blanchard Springs. Picnic under the pines near massive Sandfield Bluff, or step into the cool Shelter Cave at the base of the bluff. Swim in the clear waters of North Sylamore Creek. Hike into the Ozark woods for an hour or a weekend. Try your luck catching the trout at Mirror Lake. Come to a summer program at the amphitheater.

If you want to have a gathering, there are two pavilions with lights, electricity, water, grills, and tables. The larger has a capacity of about 125 people; the smaller holds about 50. They can be reserved by calling the District Office at 870-269-3228.

There is a fee for picnicking and swimming. The fee is waived if you are camping at Blanchard, or have a Blanchard Springs Caverns receipt or ticket dated that day, or have paid to reserve one of the pavilions.

[image: map of Sylamore Ranger District.]

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL

[image: mountain bike trail]

Mountain biking is a great way to see the Ozarks. While biking is not allowed on the North Sylamore Hiking Trail, you can ride the many back roads of the forest, or try the Mountain Bike Trail (still under construction), which covers several miles of rugged Ozark hills and offers a range of challenges. It has several connections to forest roads and state highways.

SHOOTING RANGE

[image: Shooting range]

The Sylamore Shooting Range is located 12 miles north of Mountain View, on Highway 5. It has two separate ranges. One is designated for rifle shooting out to 200 yards and is accessible out to 100 yards. The other is for handgun shooting and is 100% accessible. Movable target frames are provided. Shooters must bring their own targets and thumbtacks or staple gun to attach them to the frames. The range is open to all ages, but an adult must supervise children. It's a day-use only area. There are no trashcans, so shooters should pack it in and pack it out.

BLANCHARD SPRINGS RECREATION AREA

[image: map of Blanchard Springs Recreation Area]

HIKING

Discover the beauty and solitude of the Ozark National Forest by walking the North Sylamore Hiking Trail. The trail begins near the town of Allison and follows the creek for 15 miles to Barkshed. With trailheads at Blanchard and Gunner Pool, it's easy to enjoy the trail even for just an hour or so. Be aware that there are no loops on this trail - you'll have to turn around to return to your car.

[image: North Sylamore Trail]

CAMPING

Both Blanchard and Gunner Pool campgrounds stretch along the clear North Sylamore Creek. Campsites are shady and private, but there are no hookups or electricity. Camping is on a self-registration system - after you've selected a campsite, you must return to the fee station at the campground entrance, register, and pay the camping fee.

• Blanchard Campground

[image: Blanchard Campground]

This campground has 32 sites. It's fully equipped with flush toilets, hot showers, and paved roads. Recreational vehicles longer than 30 feet may have trouble making the loop in the upper campground. The stay at Blanchard is limited to 5 consecutive nights in summer, and 14 consecutive nights he rest of the year. Group camping is available for a minimum of 8 and a maximum of 50 people. The group campsites are available by reservation only. For information or reservations, call the District Office at 870-269-3228.

• Gunner Pool Campground

[image: Blanchard Springs]

This campground has 27 sites. Access is by a steep winding dirt road, not recommended for large recreational vehicles. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Some campsites are located beside the creek. Campers can stay up to 14 consecutive nights.

ACCESSIBLE TRAIL

[image: Accessible Trail]

The Accessible Trail offers a short trip through the woods for visitors in wheelchairs and those with strollers or small children. The Accessible Trail is a 3/4-mile long paved loop trail that begins and ends at the Visitor Information Center parking lot. There are benches every 250 feet along the trail. Visitors may see and hear birds, armadillos, deer, and squirrels as they walk along the trail.

SPRINGS TRAIL

[image: Springs Trail]

The Springs Trail was designed for those who want to walk to Blanchard Springs. This 1.5 mile-long trail begins at the Visitor Information Center parking lot, and heads downhill toward Mirror Lake and the Springs. Currently this is not a loop trail, so you will return along the same trail to your car at the Visitor Information Center.

PLAN YOUR CAVERNS TOUR

Rates are subject to change. We accept major credit cards. Please call toll free 1-888-757-2246 or 870-757-2211 (voice and TDD) between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. central time for current rates.

Reservations are recommended during the summer, for groups, and when you are on a tight schedule. Reservations are necessary for the Wild Cave Tour. Call the toll-free number.

Groups of 10 or more people get a discount on the Dripstone and Discovery tours when reservations are made at least a day in advance.

Cave Weather is constant with a year-round temperature of 58° F., and high relative humidity. You may want to bring a lightweight jacket or sweater. The paved trails and handrails tend to be wet, so you should wear low-heeled, nonslip shoes.

Pets are not allowed in the Visitor Center or Caverns — seeing-eye dogs and service dogs are an exception. There are no kennels. Pets are welcome in the recreation areas, outside the swimming areas, as long as they are leashed.

ACCESSIBILITY

• A captioned version of the movie "The Amazing World Below" is available at the Visitor Center on request.

• All facilities at the Visitor Center are fully accessible.

• Blanchard Recreation Area restrooms and bathhouses are accessible.

• Mirror Lake has an accessible parking lot, trail to the lake, and fishing pier.

• The Dripstone Trail can be taken by folks in wheelchairs, but strong assistants are needed to provide control on steep ramps. You must provide your own wheelchair and assistants.

[image: Coral Room]
[image: Cathedral Room]

DRIPSTONE TRAIL

This trail travels through two huge rooms filled with an incredible variety and number of crystalline formations - sparkling flowstone, towering columns, delicate soda straws. This shorter, easier trail takes you almost half-a-mile one way through the Caverns. All stairs can be avoided, making trails accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. However, inclines are steep. Strong assistants are needed to maneuver wheelchairs.

The Dripstone Trail is open every day from April through October. From November through March, it's closed Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

[image: Accessible Facility]
[image: The Barrens]

DISCOVERY TRAIL

This trail follows the path of the first explorers through water-carved passageways, under the natural entrance, along the cave stream, and through some enormous, beautifully decorated rooms. This longer, more strenuous tour is 1.2 miles long, with nearly 700 stairsteps. Do not take this tour if you have walking, heart, or breathing difficulties. The Discovery Trail is open from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day only.

[image: Giant Flowstone]
[image: Ghost Room]
[image: The Titans]
[image: Wild Cave Tour]

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. The tour ends at the Titans, a group of tall spectacular columns. Hard hats, kneepads, gloves, lights, and belts are provided, along with a souvenir t-shirt. The Wild Cave Tour is limited to a minimum of 3 but no more than 12 people per tour. Participants must be at least 10 years old. A responsible adult must accompany children 10 to 12 years old. The Wild Cave Tour is available by reservation only and is open every day from April through October. From November through March, it's closed Mondays and Tuesdays, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

AT BLANCHARD SPRINGS CAVERNS...

• See one of the most spectacular and carefully developed caves found anywhere.

• Enter an active cave where glistening formations like stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstones are still changing. These crystalline formations are the result of minerals deposited by dripping water.

• Stroll through large, beautifully lighted rooms with handrails and paved trails for comfortable walking.

• Climb over rocks, crawl through and slide down red clay in an undeveloped section of the Caverns.

• Tour the exhibit hall featuring "Life in the Dark" and the movie "The Amazing World Below," which introduce you to the underground world. Both are free.

[image: Christmas Tree Room]
[image: Interpretive Program]
[image: Soda Straw Room]

Blanchard Springs Caverns offers three tours. The Dripstone 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.

[image: Bookstore]
[image: Visitor Center]

LOTS OF MUSIC AND CRAFTS AT MOUNTAIN VIEW !

[image: Court Square]
[image: Ozark Folk Center]

Come find out why Mountain View is called the "Folk Music Capital of the World". Enjoy music at the court square, or at one of the many music shows in town. Browse in the antiques and craft shops. Experience the Ozark Folk Center State Park, where Ozark heritage is shared through craft demonstrations, workshops, living history characters, and musicals.

For more information, you can contact the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 133, Mountain View, AR 72560, 870-269-8068; or the Ozark Folk Center, PO Box 500, Mountain View, AR 72560, 870-269-3851.

For Sylamore Ranger District information or Blanchard Springs Caverns tour reservations, contact:
USDA Forest Service
PO Box 1279
Mountain View, AR 72560
Telephone 870-757-2211
or toll-free 1-888-757-2246
www.fs.fed.us/oonf/ozark/recreation/bsc.html

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