The Old Mill
The Old Mill
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
69 reviews
Excellent
35
Very good
20
Average
8
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Gregory M
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Family
I have quite a memory of this place. I visited the old mill with my family in the fall of 1958. At that time, the roof was still on the building and it still had a wooden floor. We looked for fish bait by turning over some logs and scared up some small copperheads instead. We camped out in the mill and slept in blankets on the floor. We woke early in the morning to screams from my oldest brother, who had climbed up to the pool below the lake and above the waterfall and was yelling at the top of his lungs because he had caught a beautiful rainbow trout! A very pleasant memory.
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KateS
Hot Springs, Arkansas, United States6,171 contributions
Sep 2020
Interesting history; pleasant stop on the trail along Mirror Lake. Not much to it, so it doesn't require an investment of much time. If you're already in the area for the spring, cavern, or day-use area, stop by for a quick photo & history lesson.
Written October 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pictureseer
Chesham, UK253 contributions
May 2013 • Family
It was an interesting visit but we felt it was a bit limited in what it had to offer. The mill itself was not operating. The staff were very good and friendly and the goods on sale were very reasonably priced. The restaurant was on the top floor, which was a little awkward but the prices were fair and the food very good.
Written June 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guy H
Mountain View, Arkansas, United States2 contributions
Aug 2012 • Solo
These reviewers are talking about two different places! The one titled "Located in the Ozark National Park" (should be National Forest, there is no National Park here!) is referring to the empty rock shell of an old grist mill located just downstream from the spring that comes out of Blanchard Caverns. In a sense, it is open all the time as it has no roof and just part of the exterior walls left standing. The other Old Mill, is on Main Street on the west side of Mountain View. It is a restored old wooden grist mill that can still function, sometimes... However, it is not open at all anymore now. This according to the Chamber of Commerce.
Written August 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa D
Clinton, Kentucky, United States113 contributions
Jun 2018
Enjoyed stopping by this spot to view the remains of history. Was told that often in cooler months many wedding parties come here for pictures. If you can not walk down the steps there is a parking lot near by that you can walk the board walk for an easier access
Written June 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just_Another_Joan
Shelton, WA741 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
As Karen H. pointed out, this is the ruins an old cotton/grist mill called Old Mitchell Mill. It is not in downtown Mountain View, but out at mirror lake. The Old Mill on Main Street has been closed for years. The only thing you can see there is the outside of the building. To see the Old Mitchell Mill that everyone is describing on this page, you have to go 14 miles north of Mountain View, off Ark. 14. If you are visiting Blanchard Springs Caverns, you go down the hill and turn to the right to get to Mirror Lake Trail. Mirror Lake Trail is a 1.5 mile is a loop trail that allows for a good view of the lake, falls, and the ruins of Old Mitchell Mill. The trail is mainly used for hiking and fishing and is accessible year-round. Mitchell's Mill was originally Blanchard's Mill and was used as a cotton gin and grist mill. Mitchell operated the mill until 1928 when the CCCs began reconstruction of the mill dam, forming Mirror Lake. Reconstruction was halted by WW2, so what you see now is only the ruins of the original mill. The walk around the lake, by the dam, and past the ruins is interesting and not too difficult. History buffs will have to enjoy this site from a distance as there is no way to get closer than the boardwalk high above the ruins. We did enjoy the leisurely stroll around the walk and would do it again. Lots of photo taking opportunities.
Written April 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen H
Mount Ida, AR12 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
my review is not so much on the photo at the top of the page which is of the Mitchell Mill located below the Mirror lake dam but of this review page. This is not "The Old Mill" which is somewhere else. It is not a restaurant or a dusty old working mill and they don't sell anything. The name, location, etc. are incorrect for this photo. The Mitchell Mill is a very interesting place and history. While you're there, tour Blanchard Springs Caverns but bring your own lunch and pack it out when you're finished. Visit the spring where it exits the caverns but please do your swimming in the designated swimming area locate in the campground.
Written August 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daphne M
Mountain View, Arkansas, United States7 contributions
May 2014 • Family
Fishing, walking on the wooden pathway to discover the secrets hidden in the forest from ages past. Sunshine and waterfalls, an eerie emerald lake that makes the viewer feel immediate serenity. A must see.
Written December 9, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert H
93 contributions
The mill in the above pictures is located beneath the dam at blancherd Springs. Beautiful hike great time outstanding scenery.
Written August 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marysN4935MI
Monticello, AR50 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
Like other reviewers have said, this is an easy spot to access. Just a short walk down a well-kept trail from a parking lot. We fished at Mirror Lake. We could fish right off a wooden board walk and didn't have to walk through any vegetation to do so (didn't want to risk running into poison ivy). We even found a bit of shade on the board walk. We, and other people nearby, caught several nice trout.
Written July 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No. Its part of the state park
Written November 30, 2019
I want to take my gma to the mirror lake area, how is the walk there? is it long or stressful?
Written June 29, 2016
My husband has difficulty walking as he has stenosis of the spine and he had no trouble with this walk. We found the walk very relaxing and were able to stop and rest as needed. If I remember correctly there were benches in a few places where he could sit down. The walk did not seem long to us, but it might seem long to someone who is very feeble.
Written July 1, 2016
What kind of extra shoes should be taken along for the wild cave tour?
Written March 18, 2015
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