There are several caves in Arkansas, but you won’t find another like Hell Creek Cave. It has a couple of unique features, but what really sets it apart is that it’s one of the few places you’ll find an extremely rare species – albino crayfish.
Hell Creek Cave is the highlight of Hell Creek Cave Natural Area, which is near Mountain View.
Roy Stovall/All Trails
Hell Creek Cave isn’t the only cave in the natural area, though. Since its establishment in 1985, five other caves have been discovered and documented in the 261-acre natural area.
Chad Maxwell/All Trails
The natural area – and all of its perks – can be easily explored, thanks to a 1.7-mile out-and-back trail.
Brent Murray/All Trails
Hell Creek flows right through Hell Creek Cave, which means the cave is wet year-round. And after periods of heavy rainfall, many of its passages are flooded.
Brent Murray/All Trails
The cave’s dark, moist conditions provide the perfect environment for several animals, including two endangered species – gray bats and albino crayfish.
Chad Maxwell/All Trails
The colorless, 3-inch crayfish, which are often called Hell Creek Cave Crayfish, can only be found in two caves and one spring. (Aside from Hell Creek Cave, Nesbitt Spring Cave and Stone County and Yellville Spring are also home to albino crayfish.)
Gerry Thomasen/Flickr
Though crayfish sightings are rare and Hell Creek Cave is often flooded, the rest of the natural area is definitely worth exploring.
Chad Maxwell/All Trails
In addition to a diverse oak-hickory forest, the area is brimming with unique rock formations in all shapes and sizes.
Chad Maxwell/All Trails
You can even walk right through many of them.
Veronica Pace/All Trails
Ready to explore this amazing natural gem? Click here for more info on Hell Creek Cave Natural Area.
Roy Stovall/All Trails
Chad Maxwell/All Trails
Brent Murray/All Trails
Brent Murray/All Trails
Gerry Thomasen/Flickr
Veronica Pace/All Trails
So, did you know about Hell Creek Cave? What about the fact that it’s home to albino crayfish? Ever visited the natural area? If so, what’d you think? Tell us!
This isn’t the only place in the state you can spot unique critters. Click here for photos of wildlife in Arkansas that will drop your jaw.
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