The Indian Rock House at Fairfield Bay attracts numerous visitors daily from across the country. It is a fantastic cave formation containing several Petroglyphs and outstanding rock formations. There is an approximate 60 to 70 foot elevation change, but a wooden walkway with steps leading down makes for fairly easy access.
The trail starts at N 35 37.143 W 092 14.898. with plenty of parking nearby in the Indian Hills Country Club parking lot.
The Indian Rock House
Millions of years ago, this area was covered by a giant shallow sea. Over time, grains of sand were compressed and cemented together to form what we know today as sandstone. Later, great forces deep within the earth caused this rock to be pushed upward and the sea flowed away. Streams and rivers flowing across this rock slowly cut the sandstone away leaving valleys and tall cliffs.
Moving water loosened the cement and the wind blew the particles of sand away. Over many years, this continuing action cause caves to be formed. These types of caves are known as sandstone caves.
The Indian Rock House at Fairfield Bay is one such cave and is the largest rock house in Arkansas. The cave opening is 100 feet across and the ceiling is 50 feet high. The cave is 97 feet deep. Evidence indicates that Native Americans were using this house as early as 1,000 B.C and .Hernado DeSoto visited this landmark while searching for the Fountain of Youth. It contains several Petroglyphs
Geologists have explored the cave and believe that the sandstone grotto, or cave pocket, could actually be the beginning of a natural bridge formation. There is a natural fault ten feet wide, varying 3 to 4 feet deep, running across the roof and down the sides to the shelter. They say that this erosion took a few million years to develop. A natural springs flows along the rear of the Indian Rock House and has hollowed out this grotto through the years. Shifting boulders have created secondary rooms and tunnels run behind the cave giving exit to the other side of the bluff.
Today tourists can visit the Indian Rock House free of charge, stay as long as they wish, and take as many pictures as they like. The cave is wide open and one can stand at the entrance and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the valley below.
Logging Requirements
In order to log this cache, please do the following.
At the very rear of the cave is a smaller cave with steps leading up to the cave floor and spring. Email me your best estimate as to the height of this smaller cave and also the width of it’s opening.
Please do not post your answer on the cache page, but send it to me at my profile link.
Although not a logging requirement I ask you to take a picture of yourself at the entrance of the cave and post it on the cache page with your log.
I hope you enjoy your visit to the Indian Rock House. Please be safe, have fun, and happy caching.
