Headlamp Tours, “Caroling in the Caverns” Planned at Blanchard
- Ongoing: until Thursday, March 31, 2011
- Sunday: 9:30am
- Wednesday: 9:30am
- Thursday: 9:30am
- Friday: 9:30am
- Saturday: 9:30am
- Where: Blanchard Springs Caverns is located on Highway 14, 15 miles northwest of Mountain View, AR
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: Not available
Headlamp Tours, “Caroling in the Caverns” Planned at Blanchard
MOUNTAIN VIEW, AR -- Blanchard Springs Caverns visitors will soon be able to take a real look at life in the dark! The Caverns will host “Discovery in the Dark” tours on the Discovery Trail at 12:45 PM on Saturdays this fall, allowing visitors an experience closer to that of the early explorers of the caverns system.
The tour offers a slightly different opportunity for visitors to the middle level of the Caverns as tours will be conducted with the lights off, allowing each tour participant to carry a battery-operated flashlight.
“We have occasionally turned the lights off for visitors on the Dripstone Trail, but it’s not the usual thing,” said Tony Guinn, visitor information specialist at Blanchard. “We get questions all the time about turning off the lights, so we decided to try it out.”
The Forest Service will provide headlamps and helmets to use for the tour. As always, the tours will be conducted by Forest Service guides. Reservations are not required, but are encouraged.
November also ushers in the first of the “Caroling in the Caverns” series of programs, featuring local musicians singing in the Cathedral Room on the Dripstone Trail. The program is highly popular and shows sell out early. For information and tickets, contact the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce at 1-888-679-2859 or locally 870-269-8068. During the “Caroling” days, the Caverns’ last tour time varies.
A winter schedule is in place at the Caverns from November through March with the Caverns closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, and open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 9:30 am until 6:00 pm. Scheduled Dripstone Trail tours are 10:30, 12:30, 2:30, and 4:15. The Discovery in the Dark tours are scheduled for 12:45 on Saturdays, but may not be held every Saturday depending on weather. The Caverns are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Days. The days before and after holidays are traditionally very busy, so visitors are encouraged to call ahead for information and reservations, especially if plans include large groups.
Blanchard Springs Caverns is located on Highway 14, 15 miles northwest of Mountain View. For information and/or reservations, call toll-free at 1-888-757-2246 or locally (870) 757-2211. You may also write to the U.S. Forest Service, 1001 East Main Street, Mountain View, AR 72560. For more information on Blanchard Springs Caverns, look us up on the web at www.blanchardcavetours.com.
This event was posted Nov. 21, 2010 and last updated Nov. 22, 2010
