War Eagle Cavern on Beaver Lake opened for the 2102 season on March 10. The cavern is an amazing place in a beautiful natural setting. Many guests of our Eureka Springs Bed and Breakfast have enjoyed visiting it.
The Ozark Plateau is home to thousands of caves, and War Eagle Cavern is one of the most spectacular. It sits on the south end of Beaver Lake, not far from Eureka Springs. The cavern is reachable by car and, surprisingly, by boat; the War Eagle Cavern boat dock is close to Devil’s Gap Inlet.
There are many attractions at War Eagle Cavern, both above ground and below. Above ground, visitors may pan for gems at the War Eagle Mining Co. and wander through the Lost in the Woods Maze. Walking trails traverse the grounds, featuring views of Beaver Lake, limestone bluffs, and sinkhole. Smoke Signal Cafe is a good spot to grab a bite to eat in the summer months, and there are many lovely spots to enjoy a picnic and watch for wildlife.
Things start to get really interesting, however, below the surface. The entrance to the cavern is a vast, natural opening that beckons the curious. Hour-long tours lead along wide walkways to spacious caverns, interesting formations, and an underground stream. The tour guides are very knowledgeable about both the history and geology of the cavern. You can even bring your well behaved dog with you.
If the regular tour isn’t enough for you, consider the Spelunker Tour. This isn’t for the faint of heart (or your dog); intrepid spelunkers will get wet and muddy. The reward? Bats, bats, and more bats! Eastern Pipestrelle bats and gray bats live in War Eagle Cavern, and most of them make their home away from the regular tour route.
An excursion to War Eagle Cavern is a wonderful way to connect with nature, and explore it. The cave is cool on hot summer days, and fascinating spring, summer, and fall.
