Blanchard Springs Waterfalls

In the Arkansas Ozarks you will find beauty around every turn. In the town of Fifty-Six, 12.4 miles northwest of Mount View, you will find a popular place locals call Blanchard Springs Caverns National Park. Blanchard Springs is but one of many wondrous elements to this park.

The Blanchard Springs feed several falls and cave dwellings in this area. After entering the park, continue to the signs for Mirror Lake. After you pass the lake you'll see the eastern parking lot. Park here and take the trail east to see two waterfalls, which are in close proximity to the parking lot. When you get to the bottom you will see falls to the right that seem to emerge from the caverns. Look left and you will see a tall cascade of water coming down the mountain. If you are there in midsummer you will likely see a nice amount of water flowing through here.

Now head back to the parking lot and continue across to the trail on the opposite side of the lot. This trail is called the North Sylamore Creek Trail. Take this trail west along the creek. This creek leads into Mirror Lake, where you can fish for rainbow trout in your spare time.

When you get to the end of the lake you will find your next waterfall. You can walk out onto the ledge to get a downward view of the falls. Continue west on the trail for about a quarter-mile. You will notice it wraps around to the left near the creek. Once you get to the end you will see a grand view of the waterfall. You can see how it has carved its way through the rock over the years. Directly across the creek you will notice the old flour mill that was once powered by the falls. From this point you can continue walking on the trail west through other parts of the park, or you may decide to go back to the parking lot for a picnic.