Venture underground on one of these popular guided cave tours in Texas.
Texas has approximately 3,000 caves, but as you can imagine, not all caves are open to the public for guided tours or for anyone to enter alone or at all. This article covers guided cave tours in Texas that are available for guided exploration.
Most caverns in Texas maintain a consistent temperature of around 68-70 degrees year-round, making sweaters or coats unnecessary. However, ensure you wear the correct shoes (closed-toe shoes are best) and avoid high heels. I’ve been caving occasionally and have seen women wear high heels in caves – don’t do that!
TIP: Buy your tickets online to save time waiting in line.
Fun Facts About Caves:
- From May through September, near downtown San Antonio, the witness of the cyclone of bats emerging from the Bracken Cave can be seen. Visitors plan their vacations to the beautiful Texas Hill Country during this time to see the flights of bats.
- Airman’s Cave in Austin is gated and closed to the public. Backdoor Cave in Austin is not gated and is a 25-mile walk to the cave entrance. Enter at your own risk.
- Tennessee has the most caves in the US, with the majority in the eastern part of the state.
- Kentucky holds the title of having the largest cave in the world, called Mammoth Cave. It comprises cave systems with several entrances and tours ranging from easy to complex.
Who Offers Guided Cave Tours in Texas?
There are a few caves in Texas that offer guided tours. I’m not familiar with many public caves that don’t, but I bet there are a few, such as the Enchanted Rock cave inside Enchanted Rock State Park. There is a fee to enter the park, and you can walk inside the granite formation cave on your own.
1. Inner Space Caverns
Georgetown, in Central Texas, right up the road from Austin, is home to Inner Space Caverns. My grandson and I visited this cave a couple of years ago, and what I remember most was these two siblings with their grandparents asking the tour guide question after question. It was a bit annoying, but the tour guide kept his cool and answered all their silly questions. So we had a few laughs about that.
The second thing I remember and appreciated was that the cave was not humid like some I’ve been in, so it was much easier to breathe. If you’re wondering what to do in Georgetown other than visiting this cave, I’ve got all the answers in this article – Top Attractions in Georgetown, TX. And Georgetown is one of the 12 Most Charming Christmas Towns in Texas.
2. The Cave Without A Name
I visited this cave on a media trip to Boerne, TX. Visit Boerne boasts about The Cave Without A Name, and I am so glad they selected it for me to experience. My tour guide was spot on, and her attitude and love for the cave made me love it more. She enjoyed telling the other family and me about the cave’s history. What’s remarkable is that marriage ceremonies and cave concerts happen in the cave. How cool would it be to get married in a cave?
After your cave tour, there are hiking trails, outdoor games, and a sluicing machine to do right outside. I had no idea mining for fossils is also called sluicing. But, if you like mining for gold, as they say, plan to visit this cave and go sluicing as I did. My sluicing bag was full of crystals and beautiful rock formations that started my rock collection at home.
3. Cascade Caverns
Cascade Caverns is another cave just outside of Boerne that offers cave tours. This cave is not accessible for wheelchairs, and crouching is required in some areas. That’s all I know about this cave, as I have not visited it.
4. Longhorn Caverns State Park
While on a weekend getaway to Marble Falls, a cave visit was on our must-do list. This cavern is in Burnet, up the road from where we stayed, and a town next to Marble Falls.
I hope you’re OK with walking like a duck. We had to crouch over to make it through several areas in the cave. It was OK for me; however, you may want to sit this cave tour out if you have back problems.
Aside from crouching, this cave is one of my favorite guided cave tours I’ve been on so far. Plus, we were able to see bats in the cave. Never before have either of us seen a bat in a cave. So that you know, bats love caves and should not be spooked. And, when taking a photo, do not use the flash.
Longhorn Caverns offers several tours, including a wild tour for the experienced caver. They mentioned the tour to us and showed us several holes where this tour goes. Oh. My. Goodness. not for me!
5. Natural Bridge Caverns
Haven’t we all been to this cave in New Braunfels a time or two? If not, do not worry. Natural Bridge Caverns is the largest commercial cave in Texas and receives millions of visitors yearly. Since our last visit, they’ve added a zip-line course and mining for fossils. They also have a wonderful gift shop full of rocks and crystals. I love picking their brains about the crystals.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was very humid inside the cave, and it was hard for me to breathe. My grandson and husband had no problem.
6. Wonder World Cave And Adventure Park
San Marcos is home to Wonder Cave and Adventure Park. There are several ticket options for adventure – cave only, train ride only, or the all-in-one ticket. If we went, I would go with my grandson; I would have to break out for all of it. From the looks of the website, various events happen at the park throughout the year. This cave will soon be on our list to visit.
7. Caverns Of Sonora
This popular touristy cave lies 80 miles south of San Angelo and in between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio. According to House Beautiful, in 2017, Caverns of Sonora was number 8 on the 30 Most Beautiful Caves Around the World. Another cave to put on your list if you haven’t been.
8. Kickapoo Caverns State Park
Near Del Rio, in Brackettville, TX, Kickapoo Caverns State Park hosts a natural wonder cave. They offer a 3-hour guided cave tour every Saturday at 1 p.m. No other entry into the cave is allowed. The cost is $10 per person and the park entrance fee. Reservations are required. There are also other outdoor activities at the park, such as hiking, mountain biking, bird-watching, and geocaching.
To find guided cave tours in Texas, be sure to Google “guided cave tours near me” to find the one closest to you – it might not be on this list!
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