Mystic Caverns
Come Experience a Once-in-a-Lifetime Caving Adventure through two of Arkansas' most spectacular caves, Mystic Caverns and Crystal Dome Caverns, located in the heart of the Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas. You will follow the path the first settlers to this area traveled as a trained guide escorts you on your tour through Mystic. You'll learn about the "pipe organ" and hear the infamous story of the "spider monkey".
In Crystal Dome you will explore a cave in its pristine form, and see the spectacular eight-story dome. Although their entrances are only 400 feet apart, Crystal Dome was discovered over 100 years after Mystic.
Always a comfortable 59 degrees, guided cave tours leave every 35 - 45 minutes. Remember to bring your camera to capture the breathtaking beauty of these Arkansas caves.
The History Of Mystic Caverns
Mystic Caverns is a commercially operated show cave located on the Newton County and Boone County line in North-Central Arkansas. It is near Marble Falls, AR and 8 miles south of Harrison, AR.
This region of the Ozark Mountains is believed to have been settled in the 1830's. Marble Falls was at that time the community of Wilcockson, which boasted a large population in the late 1800's.
The original sinkhole entrance to Mystic was a dirt slope leading to a 10 foot drop into the cave. We assume that early settlers were aware of this entrance and that the cave was visited prior to 1850. Pine torches were likely used for exploration at that time. The earliest physical evidence of visitors dates back to 1919. A gentleman by the name of Adam Kolbe carved his name and the date on a formation. It reads:
Adam Kolbe
Wilcockson
April 6, 1919
followed by what looks like his signature. During this time the cave was known as "Mansion Cave" for its large, open chambers. The exact date Mystic was opened on a commercial basis is unknown. However, we do know that tours began a few years before 1928.
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