Beneath the lush forests, rocky mountains and running streams of Arkansas is another world.
The state is home to some beautiful limestone caverns filled with underground lakes, streams, unusual rock formations and plenty of interesting stories. Several of these caves are open to the public and can be explored on a guided or self-guided tour.
Most of the caves on this list are located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. Since cave temperatures stay in the upper 50s to low 60s throughout the year, they are especially nice places to visit during a hot Arkansas summer.
Here are some of the best caves in Arkansas that you can tour, along with a few others that are currently closed or have limited access.
NOTE: Always check the cave’s current schedule before making the drive. Some are open year-round, while others close during the winter or only offer tours on certain days.
Here are the Best Caves in Arkansas to Visit!
| Cave | Location | Tour type | Best for |
|---|
| Blanchard Springs | Near Fifty-Six | Guided | Most impressive formations |
| Cosmic Cavern | Berryville | Guided | Cave lakes and formations |
| Bull Shoals Caverns | Bull Shoals | Guided | Cave plus historic village |
| Onyx Cave | Eureka Springs | Self-guided | Shorter, flexible visit |
| War Eagle Cavern | Rogers area | Guided | Families and lakeside setting |
| Old Spanish Treasure Cave | Sulphur Springs | Guided | Legends and history |
Blanchard Springs Caverns
Blanchard Springs Caverns are the most well-known of all the caves in Arkansas.
The caverns are located in Stone County in the Ozark National Forest near the uniquely named town of Fifty Six. They are located approximately 2 miles off Highway 14.
Blanchard Springs Caverns is one of the most visited caves in Arkansas and has been called one of the most beautiful caves in the United States.
It is also considered to be one of the most carefully developed caverns in the world. This is a living and growing cave system and every care has been taken to ensure that it stays that way.
Several tours may be offered depending on the season and staffing. Reservations are strongly recommended, and visitors should check the current tour schedule before making the drive.
The most popular tour (and the one that I have been on) is the Dripstone Trail Tour. This tour is great for the whole family and is amazing! On this tour you will see incredible formations including cave bacon and soda straws, as well as a cathedral room which is large enough to hold 3 football fields.
The Dripstone Trail is the easiest of the tours, but there are stairs. The stairs can be avoided, although there are some steep ramps, so anyone with mobility concerns should check the accessibility information before booking.
Blanchard Springs Caverns are, in a word, stunning!
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Blanchard Springs Caverns is in the process of becoming Arkansas’s 53rd state park. Tours are scheduled to continue through the end of October 2026. The caverns will then close for major renovations and rebranding, with a grand reopening anticipated in 2028.
Cosmic Cavern
Cosmic Cavern is located in the northwest Arkansas town of Berryville. It is the largest privately owned show cave in the state. At 64 degrees year round it is also the warmest of the Arkansas caves.
Cosmic Cavern is known for its pristine beauty and two “bottomless” cave lakes one of which was discovered as recently as 1993 and made the national news.
The cavern is home to unusual cave wildlife, including species adapted to living underground. It also has many other unique cave formations such as a 9-foot-long “soda straw.”
If you are feeling particularly adventurous Cosmic Cavern also offers after-hours blacklight tours on certain evenings. These tours are available by reservation only and are limited to guests ages 12 and older.
Bull Shoals Caverns
Bull Shoals Caverns is located in the town of Bull Shoals near the White River. The cave is believed to be about 350 million years old and is considered to be a living cave as water continues to shape the formations inside.
Guided tours follow lighted concrete walkways through the cavern. Along the way, you will see stalactites, stalagmites, underground streams and a small waterfall near the back of the cave.
Bull Shoals Caverns is part of Mountain Village 1890, a recreated Ozark settlement with historic buildings, a general store and other displays. You can also pan for gemstones, making this a fun stop for families who are spending time around Bull Shoals Lake.
The cavern is open seasonally, so be sure to check the current schedule before you go.
Onyx Cave Park
Onyx Cave Park is located in the unique town of Eureka Springs. It has been a tourist attraction since the 1890’s which makes this the oldest show cave in Arkansas.
They offer self-guided tours. Visitors are given headphones and allowed to explore on their own.Because it is a relatively compact cave with a self-guided route, Onyx Cave is an easy addition to a day in Eureka Springs and may be a particularly good choice for families with younger children.
To make it even more kid-friendly, the various chambers and formations have fun names like the Witch’s Fireplace and the Friendly Dragon.
This is a good place to escape the heat in the summer as the temperature in the cave hovers around 57 degrees year-round.
War Eagle Cavern
Located in Rogers, War Eagle Cavern offers tours of this lakeside underground cave system.
We recently took this tour and found it to be very interesting. One of the things that we enjoyed most is that this cave is situated right on Beaver Lake and has the only lakeside cavern entrance in Arkansas.
You walk down a hill, alongside the lake, and straight into the cavern! Our guide was very informative and friendly. You walk through the cavern along a running stream as you learn about the history of the cave and perhaps even see some of the bat inhabitants.
Even though War Eagle Cavern doesn’t have the same large number of impressive formations as some of the other caves in Arkansas, you will definitely enjoy learning about the history of these caverns.
In addition, they have provided plenty of above ground fun for their guests. There is a maze, a gravity hut called the Moonshiners Mystery Shack, and panning for gemstones on their beautiful property.
Old Spanish Treasure Cave
Old Spanish Treasure Cave in Sulphur Springs, Arkansas is known for its history and legends of buried treasure. This is a tour not only about cave formations but also about the search for hidden treasure.
The tale is that a group of Spanish Conquistadors hid their treasure somewhere within the cavern. People actually started searching for it way back in the late 1800’s. Even though treasure has never been found the legend persists and the hunt continues.
The tour will take you through this maze cavern which has passages going every which way and leading to a variety of rooms.
Your guide will tell you about the formations you are seeing as well as the evidence that has been found regarding the legends and the ongoing search for treasure.
A Privately Owned Cave With Limited Access
Blowing Cave in Cushman Blowing Cave in Cushman, Arkansas, is a privately owned cave that is not generally open to the public. However, they do occasionally have open houses when visitors can see part of the cavern.
Be sure and follow their facebook page where they will post about the days and times that they are open.
They also lead private tours through the depths of the cave. You will need to make reservations and you will have to be able to climb, crawl, go through tight spaces, and wade through water.
This cave is particularly interesting because of its tales and legends about aliens and paranormal activity. There are stories that some of the passageways in this cave lead to a secret world that is inhabited by “the Blue People.”
Caves in Arkansas that are Currently Closed
Mystic Caverns: Mystic Caverns often shows up on lists of caves in Arkansas. However, it is currently closed.
Hurricane River Cave: Hurricane River Cave is another cave that you will often see on lists. However, it is also currently closed. There have been reports that it was sold to new owners and may eventually reopen, but no reopening date has been announced.
I will try to keep this post updated with any new information.
Tips For Visiting the Caves in Arkansas
- Arkansas cave temperatures generally remain in the upper 50s to low 60s throughout the year, although the exact temperature varies by cave. They are a perfect place to cool down in the summer, and you might even want to bring a jacket.
- Many of the tours involve quite a bit of walking and sometimes the walkways can be damp. Wear comfortable shoes with non-slip soles!
- Always check the website or Facebook page for the cave you plan to visit. Some are open year-round, while others operate only during the main tourist season.
- Many of the caves on this list are not accessible for those with mobility issues. Call to ask before you go.
Are There Wild Caves in Arkansas?
Yes, there are wild caves in Arkansas. One that hikers can visit is Eden Falls Cave at the end of the Lost Valley Trail near Ponca. You will need a flashlight if you plan to enter the cave.
Many wild caves in Arkansas require a permit or a guide, while others are gated to protect visitors and the sensitive species that live inside them. Wild caves are very different from the commercial caves on this list. You should never enter one without the proper equipment or go farther than your experience allows.
Arkansas also has many bluff shelters that are commonly called caves. Two of our favorites are Moonshiners Cave and Rock House Cave.
Moonshiners Cave is reached by a short trail just outside of Devil’s Den State Park. Part of the front of the bluff shelter was enclosed many years ago to create a room with a door and windows.
Rock House Cave at Petit Jean State Park is a large bluff shelter where you can see ancient Native American pictographs.
Arkansas may be best known for its mountains, rivers and forests, but some of its most interesting scenery is hidden underground.
Whether you want to see huge rooms filled with formations, walk beside an underground stream or hear stories about buried treasure, each of these caves offers something a little different.
We hope you enjoy exploring the caves and caverns of Arkansas
Karen and Emily
