Brief History of Bull Shoals Cavern
Venture back 350 million years ago to the Ordovician period when the areas north of the tropics were submerged by tepid, primordial seas that teemed with marine invertebrates and conodonts.
Rich and vibrant red and green algae covered parts of the sea's surface and primitive fish, corals and gastropods were present under the waves.
Everywhere one looked strange flora and fauna were reaching out from the sea and encroaching onto the virgin land. Evolution was in progress, including the evolution of Arkansas's nearly 2,000 caves.
Birthed from that primordial sluice, "Bull Shoals Caverns" is now one of the eight amazing Arkansas show caves available for public touring.
Brief Description of the Bull Shoals Cavern Tour
As one reaches the mouth of "Bull Shoals Cavern" one is greeted by another vestige of the past; a large Civil War kettle. The kettle is believed to have been used by the Confederate soldiers to convert the regions plentiful amounts of salt peter into much needed gunpowder.
Once one makes it past the Civil War kettle one enters into the cavern's rotunda area. A look towards the ceiling of the rotunda reveals another relic of history; 300 B.C year old smoke stains.
Standing there surrounded by limestone formations and staring up at the ancient smoke stains, one can't help but reflect upon about what it must have been like to be a Native American huddled around one of those ancient fires. It is no wonder that the early Native Americans assigned so much spiritual reverence to such places.
Afterward the tour proceeds towards the cavern formation known as the "Liberty Bell." The unique characteristics inherent in the hematite and iron oxide in the cave secretions add a shadowing effect.
The highlights and contrasts caused by those elements make the limestone outcropping truly look like a bell.
From the "Liberty Bell" the tour pushes forward towards what has been called the most colorful known cavern formation in North America today; the "Garden of the Gods" room.
The "Garden of the Gods" room is replete in a gorgeous array of natural colors and leads to other cavern areas filled with an abundance of cave drapes, carrot patches and soda straws.
Past the cave drapes, carrot patch and soda straw formations is the section of the cavern with the highest elevation.
It is known as the "Cathedral Room" not only for its dizzying height but for its staggering column formations, many of which suffered unmistakable fissures from the New Madrid earthquake in the 1800's.
Within the "Cathedral Room" is an anomaly known as the "Cathedral Chimes." The limestone "Cathedral Chimes" resembles church chimes twice over, in its appearance and otherworldly resonance.
When struck with a padded stick the sounds emanating out of the "Cathedral Chimes" reverberates throughout the cavern room to the delight of new visitors and repeat guests alike.
The final section of the "Bull Shoals Cavern" tour is located a mere 95 feet below the earth's surface. That section of the "Bull Shoals Cavern" is known as the "Diamond Chapel."
The "Diamond Chapel" is located directly below the reconstructed blacksmith's barn. The blacksmith's barn is part of the 1890 village that is owned and operated in tandem with the "Bull Shoals Cavern."
Once visitors exit "Bull Shoals Cavern" it is an estimated 600 feet to the entrance of the 1890 village.
Admission to the 1890 village is not included in the guided cavern tour. It can however be purchased for an additional fee as can the other activities located on the site.
Hours of Operation and Admission Fees
"Bull Shoals Cavern" is open from March 15th through November with hours of operation and admission fees varying by season.
As of 2010 "Bull Shoals Cavern" is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm during the period of March 15th until May 15th.
From May 15th until Labor Day hours of operation change to daily from 9:00 am until 6:00 pm. As May through September is the peak visiting season, "Bull Shoals Cavern" staff do occasionally extend cavern hours past 6:00 pm.
Labor Day through the end of November "Bull Shoals Caverns" changes its hours of operation to Thursday through Monday from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm
In addition to the cavern tours, there is an on-site 19 hole championship miniature golf course. A round of golf will set adults back $4.00 plus tax each and $3.00 plus tax for each child.
As hours of operation and fees are subject to change without notice, visitors would be wise to call in advance of their trip to confirm details.
Bull Shoals Cavern
1011 C.S. Woods Boulevard
Bull Shoals, AR 72619
800-445-7171
Additional Information
Those that are interested in learning more about things to do and see in the Bull Shoals, Arkansas area should log onto the Bull Shoals are tourism website.
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