The Arkansas Cave Tour In Onyx Cave Park That Belongs On Your Bucket List
By Carol Ann Carson|Published July 07, 2020
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
You may have already crossed off Blanchard Springs off your bucket list but it’s not the only cave tour to have on there! Maybe you have Cosmic Cavern on there for its underground sapphire lake or the Old Spanish Treasure Cave in hopes of finding gold. Today’s feature is one more cave that belongs on your bucket list. Onyx Cave Park is a multi-faceted attraction that has fun activities and, naturally, a cave tour! Let’s head to this underground wonder and explore the park:
You've probably seen the sign while cruising downtown Eureka Springs, but Onyx Cave is more than a piece of wall art.
Onyx Cave is the oldest show cave in the state! The cave was first discovered in 1891 and has been open for tours since 1893. Although the cave has stayed a historic relic of the past, the park has added all sorts of new activities for today's generation to enjoy.
No spelunking needed in this show cave! Exploration is self-guided and your trip will include a headset with an audio tour.
Since COVID-19 all businesses have increased safety measures. Onyx Cave Park disinfects all of their handrails and headsets between tours. Tours are kept to single families with no more than 10 to a group. It's best to call beforehand to schedule your visit at (479) 253-9321.
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Inside you'll discover all sorts of unique treasures.
The living formations are true works of art! The cave is constantly changing (albeit slowly) which means your tour today is different than the tours of the 1800s. In addition to the giant rock formations, the cave is also bustling with wildlife activity.
After your cave tour there's still plenty to do at the park!
Kids and kids-at-heart will adore panning for gemstones on the park's main deck. The sluice has over 20 different types of semi-precious gem stones to excavate. Keep whatever you find in your Onyx Cave keepsake bag!
The newly renovated shop has a vast assortment of rocks to take home and other Eureka Springs gifts. Be sure to snap a picture with their famous Amethyst Angel Wings before leaving.
This is one attraction you definitely need to see during your next Eureka Springs visit!
The town is packed with so many sights, it's nearly overwhelming! That said, this quirky cave is a worthy addition to any Arkansas bucket list. For more information about the cave and park, head to their website. Or, follow their Facebook Page.
Have you crossed off this bucket list item yet? We’d love to hear about your Onyx Cave experience in the comments below!
In addition to the caves mentioned earlier, Bull Shoals is another trip-worthy cave to explore! We also have stunning cave trails if you’d prefer a different type of adventure.
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