Caverns To Operate This Year

Blanchard Springs Recreation Area will open this year on May 1, and close at the end of November, then be closed for around 18 months for repairs and upgrades, according to Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

Lewis said he could not yet provide a more specific timeline for re-opening.

“We’re a little bit dependent on the bids process of the federal government,” he said.

The park will not officially be a state park during the 2026 season, Lewis said. Blanchard Springs is currently operating under a joint management agreement between the U.S. Forest Service and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.

Read more from Lewis's address specifically about Blanchard in the March 25 issue.

Lewis was keynote speaker at the Ozark Gateway Region's 2026 Banquet March 19 at the Ozark Folk Center’s Skillet Restaurant in Mountain View.

He told those gathered that tourism is the second largest industry in the state, with the top industry being agriculture.

Lewis said the impact of tourism on the economy is about $10 billion, with agriculture being about $30 billion.

“It is an important part of our economy,” Lewis said. Lewis said that when he was appointed by Gov. Sarah Sanders, “She was very familiar with what her goals were for tourism across our state.”

Lewis said among those goals were growing the tourism economy, expanding the outdoor recreation economy, and “elevating the image of Arkansas.”

Lewis talked about projects in state parks around Arkansas, mentioned plans for celebrating the semiquicentennial in Arkansas, and then spoke for several minutes about the transition of Blanchard Springs to an Arkansas state park.

He also addressed some of the specifics of marketing the region to potential visitors.

“Our visitors right now are looking for a value right now. But, they’re willing to make an investment in experiences.”

Family travel continues to be on the rise,” said Lewis. “Another thing we’re seeing is very short booking windows. They’re waiting until the last minute to see what the weather’s going to be, what the kids’ soccer and baseball schedules are going to be, things like that. They love ‘off the beaten path’ content. They’re looking for those authentic experiences.”

“Road trips are still popular,” he said. “We know that when gas prices go up like we’re seeing right now, that a lot of our interstate visitors will stay close. Campers won’t drive as far, but they’ll still visit a state park. They might just go in state vs. out of state.”

Several individuals and communities were recognized for their outstanding contributions across the eight-county region. The City of Calico Rock was honored with Festival of the Year, Ethel Tompkins of Hoxie received the President’s Award, and Donna Cruse of Hardy was named the Tom Biggs Award recipient. Stacy Fields was recognized for Distinguished Service to Tourism in the Ozark Gateway Region.

Partner in Tourism awards were presented to Citizens Bank, Bank of Cave City, CherryRoad Media, First Community Bank, FutureFuel Chemical Company, North Arkansas Electric Cooperative, Randolph County Heritage Museum, and White River Now for their continued support and commitment to regional tourism.

Music was provided by Honeysuckle Holler, an all-girl string band featuring Charlene and Ivy Parker and Ellie and Julia Carlton.