MYSTIC CAVERNS
Arkansas Scenic 7 Byway
The Ozarks are karst and riddled with caves and sinkholes, but nearly all entrances to these underground ecosystems are closed these days to protect the bat populations from white-nose syndrome. Thankfully there are still a handful of commercial caves in operation that allow visitors to see the hidden wonders of the Ozark Mountains. Mystic Caverns is one of these commercial caves. It is a family-owned operation that gives visitors the opportunity to view two different caverns (Mystic Cavern and Crystal Dome). These caves feature classic formations like stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone, and columns and rare calcite formations such as helictites, shields, and spherical stalactites.
My family came to visit me during the heat of summer, so I took them to Mystic Caverns for a great (cool) family activity. Here are some images from Mystic Cavern and Crystal Dome:
