Uh oh...
It appears that you're using a severely outdated version of Safari on Windows. Many features won't work correctly, and functionality can't be guaranteed. Please try viewing this website in Edge, Mozilla, Chrome, or another modern browser. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused!
Read More about this safari issue.
Travel through Sulphur Springs, Arkansas, and you’ll likely come across the Old Spanish Treasure Cave. Mysteries abound in the stories you’ll hear, and if you visit, you’ll probably want to stay and help find the hidden treasure of lore.
On a Friday afternoon, we drove the 30 minutes or so to the cave, ready to hear the stories of the Old Spanish Treasure Cave for ourselves. We purchased our tickets and browsed around all of the minerals, rocks, fossils, and artifacts located in the little gift shop, housed in an old cabin.
As we prepared for our tour, Sam the Cave Dog greeted us, and I’ll tell ya, Sam loves to take the tour right along with guests. Walking ahead, she turns and looks back as if to say, “Are you coming?” If you have a flashlight, she’ll be totally mesmerized by the light, chasing after it and barking. She was a hoot and probably one of our favorite parts of the tour.
Back to the cave, though! Just entering into the shadow of the cave, we immediately felt a difference in temperature, cooler but a very comfortable cool. Our guide proceeded to go over the rules of the cave and told us a little bit about the history of the cave.
Apparently, somewhere in the depths of the cave, lies a hidden treasure that, to this day, no one has been able to find. Legend has it that treasure was buried in the cave by Spanish Conquistadors. An older Spaniard once attempted to find the treasure, led by two maps. He became ill and had to leave, leaving behind no trace of anything, not even the maps. Though the current owner has also made several attempts to find the treasure, the mystery is yet to be solved.
As we walked through the passageways in the cave it was exciting to see all kinds of cave formations, including stalagmites, stalactites, soda straws, narrow caverns and passageways, a natural bridge, the Council Room (much like a big open cavern room), Columns and more.
We even saw tiny creatures like a salamander and a tiny, lone bat hanging from the ceiling.
We especially enjoyed seeing one passageway with tracks that carried ore cars at one time.
Details for Your Visit to the Cave
The cave is usually around 56 degrees, so I definitely recommend taking a hoodie or light jacket, though the temperature is still quite comfortable. It is a walking tour, and some of the paths are quite slippery, so closed-toed shoes with good traction are recommended as well. One thing we wished we had brought along was a small flashlight for each of us. Though there are lights in the cave, it’s much easier to see all of the formations, fossils, and creatures with the help of a flashlight.
The cost is quite affordable: $12 for adults and $5 for children. Hours differ according to the seasons. From March 1 to April 30, they’re open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, Sundays 12 pm to 5 pm, closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays. From May 1 to September 13, they’re open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, Sundays 12 pm to 5 pm. Group rates are available.
And an exciting thing for groups like Scout troops…. They offer a Camp in the Cave program. You can find more details for the program here. And as Halloween approaches, don’t forget about the Haunted Spanish Treasure Cavern and Trail of Terror. Apparently, it’s a pretty popular thing in this part of Arkansas during the month of October. If you love the thrill of a good scare, it’s definitely something you’ll want to check out.
All in all, we had a great time and very much enjoyed traveling underground in the Old Spanish Treasure Cave. How about you? Do you love a good mystery?
We do the work.
You check your email.
Sign up for our weekly e-news.
Get stories sent straight to your inbox!
Like this story? Read more from Mel Lockcuff
Gardeners unite for the beginning of summer! Arkansas is chock full of...
Spring is the perfect time to hunt for waterfalls, especially Glory Hole...
Arkansas is chock full of history, one of the many reasons to love the...
Join the Conversation
Leave a Comment