Caves

Caves in the Ozarks are varied and include guided walking tours, ride-thru's and all with historical connections. The following are some of the guided tours in the area


In the Springfield-Ozark Area-30 to 60 minute drive from Branson



Smallin Cave
3575 N. Smallin Road
Ozark, MO 65721
417-551-4545
Smallincave.com

Direction: about 30 miles north of Branson on Hwy 65 in Ozark, MO. Take the Hwy CC/J exit which will be the 3rd Ozark exit from Branson. Turn right or east from Hwy 65, go past Lamberts to 2nd stoplight. Continue straight which is Hwy NN and follow signs

Smallin was the first documented in the Ozarks and was written about at great length in Henry Rowe Schoolcraft's journal in 1818. It has been cited by major publications including the National Geographic in 1923

It was home to Osage Indians and likely a Cherokee tribe as well and there is evidence of use by troops during the Civil War. The enormous opening is unusual compared to others in the area

The book "Ozark Caves", written by the proprietor is on sale in the gift shop and is a great resource as well as a great read.

Open: Year-round but closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. January & February are by appointment only. The remainder of the year the hours are normally 9:30 AM to 5 or 5:30 PM Monday thru Saturday and 1-5 PM on Sunday

Prices for tours:

One Hour Guided Tour – ½ mile walk on inclines and ramps but no stairs. Guide will tell of history, folklore and geology of caves. Adults $14.95, Children $8.95, children 0-3 – Free

Off-Trail Wild Tours – Takes approximately 2 hours, one mile walk mostly off trail. You will be in at least knee deep in 54 degree water. Guests will wear headlamp as their light source and have rare opportunity to spot rare and endangered species. You must schedule in advance. 12 & up- $50, Equipment rental $10

Historic Civil War Tours – Fall tours with meal on Friday and Saturday evenings during September & October. Approximately 2 hours. A campfire dinner is held where guides will be dressed in Civil War theme telling stories around the campfire.Please schedule ahead for tour. $29.95

Civil War Christmas Tours – Holiday tours on Friday and Saturday nights during Nov & Dec taking approximately 1 ½ hours. Includes twinkling Christmas lights, Civil War Christmas stories and hot cocoa around a campfire. Dress for outdoor weather and call ahead for tour. Adults $19.95, Children $12.95


Fantastic Caverns
4872 N. Farm Road 125
Springfield, MO 65803
417-833-2010
Fantasticcaverns.com

America's only Ride-Thru Cave

Directions: Take Hwy 65 north from Branson about 43 miles to I-44 north of Springfield. Go west on I-44 to exit 77 and north on Hwy 13 a short ways to farm road 94. Turn left on farm road 94 and weave thru the county side (follow signs) about 2 miles until you get to farm road 125. Go north on 125 about 1 mile to the entrance

Fantastic was discovered in 1862 but it wasn't until 5 years later that the first exploration was made by 12 women from Springfield who had answered an ad seeking explorers. Their names are still on the walls today.

Fantastic is one of more than 6500 known caves in Missouri and of these only a few are open to visitors and only one offers a riding tour which makes it perfect for senior groups. Temperature is a steady 60 degrees cool or warm depending on the outside temperature

You'll never have to wait long for your tour but a beautiful gift shop and lounge area is available for a very pleasant experience

Open: Year-round except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
January 1 to February 24 - 8 AM-4 PM
February 25 to March 11 - 8 AM-6 PM
March 12 to April 7 - 8 AM-7 PM
April 28 to August 13 - 8 AM-8 PM
August 14 to September 3 - 8 AM-7 PM
September 4 to October 31 - 8 AM-6 PM
November 1 to December 31 - 8 AM-4 PM

Prices:
Adults-$22.50, children 6-12-$14.50, children 5 & under-free with paid adult
Group rate 20 or more- Adults $16.50, children 12 & under $6.00
Season passes – for only $5.00 more you can turn a single-visit ticket into a 12 month unlimited use pass

Company outings and picnic packages are available-call 417-833-2010

After-hour events are now available in the auditorium room, home of the famous Farm-A-Rama country music shows. Call Event scheduler for booking in 2012 & 2013 at 417-833-2010



In Arkansas-30 to 60 minute drive from Branson



Mystic and Crystal Dome
341 Caverns Drive
Harrison, Arkansas 72601
870-743-1739
Mysticcaverns.com

Directions: Mystic is located about 40 miles south of Branson. Take Hwy 65 south to Harrison Ar. Follow 65 to downtown and follow signs to Hwy 7 south. Mystic is about 8 miles south of Harrison on beautiful Hwy 7

There are two tours, Mystic and Crystal Dome and takes about 1 hour and 45 min to see both. You will learn about the "pipe organ" and hear the infamous story of the spider monkey. In the Crystal Dome you will see the spectacular 8-story dome. Although the entrances are only 400 ft apart the Crystal Dome was discovered over 100 years after the Mystic

Open: March –December at 9 AM except Sundays. Last tour departs from 4 PM to 5:30 PM depending on month. Call for schedule in February

Prices – (coupon for $1 off available on line)
Both tours- Adults 13 & up $14.99 + tax, children 4-12 $7.99 + tax, children 0-3 are free
One tour - Adults 13 & up $12.99 + tax, children 4-12 $6.99 + tax, children 0-3 are free
Group rates available for groups of 12 or more


Cosmic Caverns
6386 Arkansas Hwy 21
Berryville AR 72616
870-749-2298
Cosmiccavern.com

Directions: From Hwy 76, take Hwy 65 south approximately 8.5 miles to Hwy 86, turn right or west and follow Hwy 86 to Hwy 13 and follow Hwy 13 south to Blue Eye. From Blue Eye road name changes to Hwy 21 approximately 9 miles thru Oak Grove to Cosmic

This is a 1 hr 15 min tour with 2 bottomless lakes, one with cave trout. Cosmic has been named one of the top 10 show caves in the US

Open: 9-5 Spring Fall and Winter and 9-6 from Memorial Day thru Labor Day

Prices: Adults 13 & up - $15, children 5-12 -$7.50, children 0-4 are free



In the immediate Branson Area



Talking Rocks Caverns
423 Fairy Cave Lane
Reeds Spring, MO 65737
417-272-3366
Talkingrockcaverns.com
Branson West/Kimberling City/Lake-Gold on our area map

Directions: Follow Hwy 76 west past Silver Dollar City to the intersection of Hwy 76 and Business 13 in Branson West. Turn left on Hwy 13 and follow about ½ mile. Turn left at sign

A beautiful underground wonderland with thousands of beautiful living crystal formations of different colors and textures. Tours are about 1 hour long

Open: Daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day from 9:30 AM-6:00 PM

Prices: Adults 13 + $17.95 + tax, children 4-12 $9.95+ tax, Children 0-3 are free, group rates are available


Marvel Cave
399 Silver Dollar City Parkway
Branson, MO 65616
1-800-475-9370
silverdollarcity.com
Silver Dollar City/Indian Point/Hwy 65-Turquoise on our area map
Marvel was first opened as a tourist attraction in 1894. In 1950, the Herschend family leased the cave and by 1960 opened their 1880's Ozark Mountain Village called Silver Dollar City. The village gradually grew to the theme park that it is today

The tour is a 60 min tour and can be toured with a pass into Silver Dollar City. A Lantern Light Tour is also available 90 min before park closing. The light tour has an added fee of $9.33 + tax for adults and $4.65 + tax for children 8-11

Open: March – December

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