Arkansas Unveils Plan for Blanchard Springs State Park

The Path to Designation

The process of designating Blanchard Springs Caverns as the 53rd Arkansas state park is officially underway. State officials and the U.S. Forest Service signed a memorandum of understanding on December 9, outlining a new joint management model for the site. This agreement marks a significant step in the state’s efforts to strengthen outdoor recreation and conserve natural resources.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis signed the agreement with the Forest Service during a ceremony that launched discussions about bringing the Blanchard Springs Caverns Complex into the Arkansas State Parks system as Blanchard Springs State Park.

Sanders emphasized that the agreement represents the next step in the state’s efforts to preserve its cultural and environmental legacy while creating opportunities for tourism, jobs, and year-round adventure.

First Gentleman Bryan Sanders highlighted the site's role in showcasing Arkansas’ outdoor appeal and aligning with the goals of the Natural State Initiative, launched in 2023 to promote recreation and expand the outdoor economy.

Secretary Lewis stated that the partnership would allow the state and Forest Service to elevate one of Arkansas’ top tourism destinations through coordinated management of visitor services, conservation efforts, staffing, and facilities.

Sen. Missy Irvin, whose district includes Stone County and the town of Mountain View, called the announcement “a monumental action” for the region. She praised the interagency cooperation behind the agreement, noting the caverns' central role in the local tourism economy.

Joint Management Model

Under the memorandum, Arkansas State Parks and the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests will explore a collaborative management structure that aligns federal and state investments in conservation, operations, and infrastructure. The long-term goal is to formalize the site as a state park while maintaining federal ownership and environmental protections.

Officials said the approach is intended to improve visitor experiences, prevent habitat damage, and ensure consistent oversight as visitation continues to rise.

A Regional Anchor for Outdoor Recreation

Located near the community of Fifty-Six in the Sylamore District of the Ozark National Forest, the Blanchard Springs Caverns Complex includes more than eight miles of explored caves, a major visitor center, campground, swim beach, picnic areas, and multiple hiking trails. It is one of the few “living” caves managed by the Forest Service, featuring ongoing formation growth and one of the nation’s largest flowstones.

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Since opening in 1973, the caverns have offered guided experiences such as the Dripstone Tour, Discovery Trail, and seasonal Wild Cave Tours. The site draws about 70,000 visitors a year and contributes significantly to the economies of surrounding communities.

Designating the complex as a state park, officials said, would link it more directly with nearby outdoor offerings, including White River boating and trout fishing, mountain biking, camping, and National Forest trails, creating a connected regional recreation destination rather than a stand-alone attraction.

Economic and Conservation Impacts

Arkansas’ outdoor economy continues to grow, with more than 50 million visitors statewide in 2023 generating $9.9 billion in travel spending. Stone County recorded $74.1 million in visitor spending last year, driven by outdoor recreation sites such as Blanchard Springs.

Integrating the caverns into the state park system would allow for unified branding, expanded programming, and enhanced visitor services, according to state officials.

The shift is also expected to strengthen long-term conservation efforts. While geologists estimate that the cave interior has remained structurally unchanged for more than 10,000 years, rising visitation increases the risk of erosion, disturbance of sensitive species, and unregulated development around the site.

Additional Environmental Safeguards

Under a state-park model, officials said Blanchard Springs would receive additional environmental safeguards, including managed access points, designated pathways, and expanded monitoring of endangered species, including gray bats and rare salamanders.

What Comes Next

The memorandum of understanding does not finalize state-park status. Still, it begins the evaluation and planning process required to determine how the caverns could transition into the Arkansas State Parks system. Any final designation would involve additional agreements, public planning, and potentially legislative action.

For now, the state and Forest Service will begin coordinating assessments of facilities, staffing, maintenance needs, visitor services, and conservation priorities as the groundwork for what could become Arkansas’s next natural destination.