Hidden In Arkansas' Ozarks Lies A Unique, Lesser-Known, Underground Attraction

It's only fitting that the Natural State has incredible outdoor wonders for all to see, from its stunning scenic waterfalls to the rugged Ozark Mountains. Within these majestic mountains lie true hidden gems above and below the surface, including the state's largest privately-owned show cave. Sadly, there's no genie in this cave of wonders, but it does have surreal turquoise waters and the largest underground lake in the Ozarks.

It's believed that Cosmic Cavern was used by ancient civilizations long before it was discovered by settlers. In 1845, prospectors came upon this one-of-a-kind natural wonder during their search for lead. Here, they discovered two bottomless lakes and a 9-foot hollow stalactite hanging from the cave's ceiling, also known as a soda straw. Since the late 19th century, Cosmic Cavern has been mined and gradually developed into a tourist attraction. Initially, the cave was mined for its "cave onyx", first by locals artisans and later at scale to produce Ford's Model A before it opened to visitors. Tours go approximately one-third of a mile into the cave, including the newest and most jaw-dropping Silent Splendor section, discovered in 1993 after a flood.

Cosmic Cavern is a great pit stop on a family road trip through the Ozarks. If you're arriving from out of state, begin your adventure in Branson, Missouri, the "Las Vegas of the Midwest." Or, fly into Northwest Arkansas Airport (XNA), located outside of Bentonville. Both are roughly 90 minutes away from the cave, which is located 8 miles outside of Berryville.

No matter how warm, cold, or wet it is outside in the Ozarks, Cosmic Cavern is always a comfy 64 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon descending the winding staircase, you'll see signs of human activity. Nearly a century ago, miners rolled burning tires into the cave to deter bats, evidently showing very little regard for the natural ecosystem. However, the more recently discovered section remains an untouched natural wonder.

On the tour, you'll pass through several unique "rooms," including the spine-tingling Ghost Room, the Buddha Room, and the Oh my God Room, where you'll find the cave's 9-foot soda straw. Visitors seeking a spooky experience shouldn't miss the Blacklight Tours, available on weekend nights. Most of the path is well-lit, but you'll want to bring a good pair of walking shoes and tread carefully as it can get slippery at times.

The two lakes in Cosmic Cavern — South Lake and Lotus Lake — are so deep that dive teams have been unable to reach the bottom. While the lakes are normally clear, the water level and clarity has been known to change due to seismic activity. After a massive 9.2-magnitude earthquake in Alaska in 1964, the water level rose and became murky for a whole week, the cave's owner told Arkansas Tourism. On your tour, keep your eyes peeled for trout in South Lake. Unlike those in the "trout capital of the U.S." in nearby Cotter, Arkansas, these non-native fish have gone blind and lost their pigment due to living underground. If you're lucky, you may spot another blind animal — the rare Ozark Blind Cave Salamander. You may even score a treasure at the on-site sluice where visitors can pan for gemstones. Tours of Cosmic Cavern are $22 per person ages 13 and older, and $11 per child ages 5 to 12, at the time of writing. 

After exploring Cosmic Cavern, you'll be ready for a hot and tasty meal. Nearby Berryville has a wide range of cuisines for a small city and several family restaurants for a sit-down meal. The Horseshoe Grill and the Ozark Cafe are both highly-rated on Tripadvisor their tasty food, great service, and affordable prices. The Ozark Cafe whips up a mean pancake breakfast and biscuits with gravy to fuel your morning. At Horseshoe Grill, try the Chicken Fried Steak dish, which is almost as big as your dinner plate. For Mexican food, head to Taqueria "El Guerito," where you'll find affordable and authentic tacos and nachos.

After your meal, take a walk through Berryville, a charming city that got its name from a coin toss between two early settlers. Head to the Memory Lane Museum for a unique taste of nostalgia. Inside, you'll find a wide assortment of classic cars and icons from decades ago, along with billboards, logos, and gas pumps from a bygone era. While Berryville does have a handful of charming hotels and the unique Fairway Treehouses resort, you'll find a much larger selection in nearby Eureka Springs, a unique and funky city with mountain charm. Northwest Arkansas is full of unique, under-the-radar natural gems to explore on your adventure in the Ozarks. If your trip to the cave leaves you fascinated by the state's geology, you'll want to check out Arkansas' secret cove with enchanting waterfalls, canyons, and valleys.