Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Area Status: Open

The Blanchard Springs Recreation Area offers a rich outdoor experience. Stroll on the paved trail to where Blanchard Springs gushes as a waterfall from the hillside. Swim in the clear waters of the North Sylamore Creek. Hike into the Ozark woods for an hour or a weekend. Try your luck catching rainbow trout from Mirror Lake, an accessible facility. Blanchard Springs Caverns has 3 tours- Dripstone Tour, Wild Cave Tour, & Discovery Tour.

Blanchard Springs Recreation Area Guide

Blanchard Springs Recreation Area Guide - Spanish

Campground and Day-Use Area Rules

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Caverns, Visitor Center, and Campground have closed for the season. Group campsites and Day-Use area are open.
Operational Hours: Visitor Information Center open seasonally from spring to late fall.
Reservations: Group campsites, two pavilions, and the amphitheater can be reserved through recreation.gov or call (877) 444-6777. Individual campsites are first-come, first-served.
Area Amenities:
  • Interpretive Site
  • Parking
  • Toilets
  • Accessible
Fees:
  • Day Use - $3 per vehicle
  • Campground - $15 site per night
  • Large Group Camp Site (8-50 people), GS1 - $60 per night
  • Small Group Site (8-30 people), GS2 - $35 per night
  • Large Pavillion - $60 day, $40 for half day
  • Small Pavilion -  $30 day, $20 for half day
  • Amphitheater - $40 day
Open Season: Year-round
Closest Towns: Mountain View
Water: Drinking Water
Restroom: Flush / Hot Showers
Operated By: Blanchard Springs Visitor Information Center (870) 757-2211
Information Center: The Visitor Information Center personnel have a wealth of knowledge of the surrounding area. They are also available for appointments to issue passes, including the annual forests' day-use pass.  Contact the center at 870-757-2211.

General Information

Directions:

To get to the Blanchard Springs Recreation Area from Mountain View, take Arkansas Highway 14 West for 12.1 miles, turn right (north) at the Blanchard Springs Caverns sign. Follow signs to the different facilities.


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Mountain Biking

Cyclists can access the Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail from the Blanchard Campground, just past campsite #14. The spur trail goes uphill to the Jack's Branch Loop. Be aware that this is a fairly strenuous spur!

Areas for Mountain Biking at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Campground Camping

32 campsites with grills, tables, lantern poles and tent pads, but no electrical hookups. 2 group camps available by reservation only for a minimum of 8 and maximum of 50. Restrooms with hot showers. Trailhead connecting campground to the North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail. Drinking water.

Fire Information Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites.

Areas for Campground Camping at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

RV Camping

Restrooms with hot showers. No hookups. Trailhead connecting campground to the North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail. Drinking water. Summer interpretive programs. Guided Cavern Tours. Access to Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail. RV Sewage Dump Station.

Hookup - Water none
Hookup - Sewer none
Size Restrictions Maximum vehicle length - 32ft
Dump Stations yes
Hookups - Electric none
Fire Information Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites.
Corrals Maximum vehicle length - 32ft

Group Camping

2 group camps available by reservation only for a minimum of 8 and maximum of 50. Restrooms with hot showers. Trailhead connecting campground to the North Sylamore Creek Hiking Trail. Drinking water. Summer interpretive programs. Guided Cavern Tours. Access to Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail. Swim Areas.

No. of Sites 2
Fire Information Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites.

Areas for Group Camping at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Lake and Pond Fishing

Two historic dams enclose the waters of Blanchard Springs, forming Mirror Lake.The lake is stocked with rainbow trout. Arkansas Game and Fish regulations apply. Accessible parking lot, boardwalk, and fishing pier.

Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

River and Stream Fishing

Clear North Sylamore Creek runs through the Blanchard Recreation Area, and offers some good fishing holes either upstream or downstream from the swim areas.

Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Day Hiking

Visitors can hike wooded hillsides, view picturesque rock bluffs, or walk a short paved trail to Blanchard Springs. Hike into the Ozark woods for an hour or a weekend on the North Sylamore Hiking Trail, which connects all three recreational areas. All the trails are linear, so if you walk the trail, you'll have to turn around to return to your car.

Fire Information Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from any of the sites.

Areas for Day Hiking at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Viewing Wildlife

Deer and turkey are abundant at Blanchard and many other small animals can be seen in and around the area - birds, lizards, and chipmunks. Bats, owls, and raccoons are seen and heard at night. Most animals are shy and prefer to hide. If you bring your pet, it must be leashed.

Viewing Plants

As is true across the district, Blanchard offers its share of plant life. Wildflowers show their colors especially in spring and early summer. Many types of ferns and lichens can be seen nearly year round, and even a few rare plants can be viewed in the area.

Caving

With the exception of Blanchard Springs Caverns, all caves and mines are closed by order of the regional forester, to slow or halt the spread of White Nose Syndrome, a bat-killing disease.

Areas for Caving at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Visitor Centers

The Blanchard Springs Visitor Information Center can be reached at 870-757-2211. Contact the center for information about camping in the area and status of the recreation areas.

Picnicking

Picnic tables are located in the Day Use Area, underneath the trees at the edge of the field.

Areas for Picnicking at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Group Picnicking

Large and small picnic pavilions available by reservation. Large pavilion holds 125 people; small pavilion holds 50.

Boating - Non-Motorized

Areas for Boating - Non-Motorized at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Swimming

The campground lies right on North Sylamore Creek. There are bathhouses and a small pavilion. Swim at your own risk. 

Areas for Swimming at Blanchard Springs Recreation Area

Quick Links

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Latitude : 
35.9743833

  Longitude : 
-92.1772000