Yesterday morning, Steve Creek and I hiked into the Ozark Mountains to visit Moonshiners Cave. Steve had been there before, it was my first visit.
Moonshiners Cave sign on the trail
The hike isn’t long, only 0.8 miles, but I’ve read that it’s considered moderately challenging. Heading down the mountain to the cave is tricky because of the loose rocks on the trail.
And yes, since you hike down the trail to get there, you have to hike back up it to return to your vehicle. I’ll come back to that later.
Moonshiners Cave in Washington County
The cave is more of an enclosed bluff than a cave. I’ve read it was originally a root cellar, which makes sense. I also read that, during Prohibition, legend says the cave became a hideout for bootleggers transporting moonshine.
But apparently, there isn’t any proof of that. Well, if it was a secret only the bootleggers knew, maybe the proof died off with them.
Unfortunately, people have torn out the historical marker and placed graffiti on some of the walls of the cave. My hope is that one day, the people that did those horrible things, realize it was wrong and start to leave no trace.
I won’t hold my breath that will happen.
Waterfall at Moonshiners Cave in the Boston Mountains of Arkansas
There is a waterfall next to the cave. it wasn’t flowing hard at all yesterday. When it rains, the waterfall flows harder.
My shadow at Moonshiners Cave in Arkansas
While looking inside the cave I noticed that I could take a photo of my shadow on the lit up back wall of it. I kind of like this photo, your tastes may vary.
View of Moonshiners Cave and waterfall in autumn
I took a few more images of the cave before we started walking back up the mountain. Steve does great at hiking uphill. Me? Not so much. My heart was damaged by Lupus in 1996 and that caused my heart to enlarge, which means hiking up hill is taxing for me physically.
Still, I am very glad to have seen and photographed Moonshiners Cave. Will I go again? I’m going to say, never say never.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Arkansas landscape photos.
How fascinating! Terrific pics – albeit somewhat spooky. Some say Moonshiners kept the South going during prohibition. But a bad batch could make you blind; even kill you. Very interesting. Thanks Mia.
What a cool little hideout.. Stay safe and sorry you have a health concern, but I really enjoyed the pictures.
Great pictures of this interesting area – did you see any special birds there?
Wow that is pretty interesting to see and hear about. Thanks for the pictures and comments. Few years back I watched a series on t.v. about the modern bootleggers making Moonshine in areas like that. I could see that would be a good area for such goings on!! Hope you are doing fine with your health problems.
I am glad that you could go. And sorry to learn of your heart issues.