Ultimate Guide to Caverns of Sonora, Texas (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
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Caverns of Sonora are one of the most beautiful and active caves globally. It is a National Natural Landmark, and more than 95% of its formations are still growing, making the Caverns an active cave. The Caverns are deemed the most surprising and unique attraction of the state. It is so magnificent that the founder of the National Speleological Society had said that it is the most beautiful cave in the world and one can never exaggerate its beauty.
Tours to the cave are held regularly, and it starts from the gift shop at the Caverns. The wait time never exceeds 30 min, and people have raved about this tour as it is informative, educational, and involves lots of fun. It is one of those caverns that the whole family can visit and enjoy.
History of Caverns of Sonora
Like any other natural phenomenon, the history of this cave is older than the discovery of humans. Speleologists believe that the cave was formed around five million years ago and developed along a fault. It allowed the gases to rise from a depth of about 2.4 km to 300 ft.
The gases got mixed with water in the aquifer and caused the highly acidic water to dissolve parts of the limestone, creating the cave. The mineral formations, which we know as speleothems, were formed when the water dried out from the caverns, and this happened around three million years ago.
If you are interested in the more recent past, then the caverns’ history would start with the Mayfield family, who began the ranching operations near the southern part of the cave in the initial phase of the 20th century.
The primary discovery was made by the ranch dog, who chased a raccoon into the 20-inch opening at the cave entrance. The locals then started exploring the area and worked their way about 500 ft back into a 15 ft deep pit which seemingly blocked further explorations. The pit was known as the Devil’s Pit.
In 1955 on the Labor Day weekend, four spelunkers from Dallas crossed a sloping ledge on the right side of the big pit. They safely reached the passages on the other side and discovered an additional 11 km of cave networks.
Stories spread among the caving community about the beauty of this cave and its intricate formations. A steel gate was erected at the entrance on June 15, 1957, to save the cave from vandalism. The cave was christened the Secret Cave.
The preservation efforts for the cave began in 1957 when a spelunker from Oklahoma pointed out the damaging effects on one of his frequent visits to the caves. He planned to develop the site into a show cave with guided tours as it will help to minimize the destruction and create awareness about protecting this natural beauty.
In 1959 full-scale developmental work began, including adding a fenced access road, around 3 km of power lines, a water well, telephone lines, and a visitor center. On July 16, 1960, the doors of the cavern were opened to the public, and it was re-christened as Caverns of Sonora. In 1965, the cavern was listed on the National Register for National Landmarks.
Geological Cave Formations in Caverns of Sonora
Caverns of Sonora has a stunningly beautiful collection of calcite crystal formations known as helictites. Many of these formations have nicknames which makes them more interesting to view. ‘Popcorn’ is the small mineral nodes that have developed on the cave surface, ‘Cave Bacon’ is a type of flowstone that has been formed by mineral-rich water flowing over the same path repeatedly, ‘Soda Straws’ are hollow mineral formations that look like cylinders from a distance.
It does not end here. You will get to see ‘Snake Pit’, which is a dense collection of helictites, and don’t miss the ‘Butterfly’ which two fishtail helictite growths have formed. The Butterfly is a unique formation, but, unfortunately, a part of the right-wing broke off in 2016. There are many more speleothems in every inch of the cave’s wall and roofs, making the Caverns of Sonora a must-visit attraction in Texas.
Wildlife in Caverns of Sonora
There had been a minimal biological study of the Caverns of Sonora. But a new troglobitic species of spider was found here. The caverns are also home to a sizeable population of Mexican free-tailed bats.
Are Caverns of Sonora Haunted?
People have often talked about the whispering ghosts in these caves whose main aim is to make people lose their way inside the cave. Several visitors have said that it all starts with a hissing sound which makes the people think there is a snake nearby. The continuous whispering distracts the visitors so much that some break away from the group.
Once a man was found several hours later, and he was shaking, crying, and speaking gibberish. He claimed that the voices told him that he was heading in the wrong direction. As a result, he became disoriented until the rescuers found him in that state.
How Big are Caverns of Sonora?
Caverns of Sonora have a 6108m with a depth of 150 ft.
Caverns of Sonora Tours
The Caverns of Sonora is one of the most beautiful show caves in the world, and real fun awaits you when you sign up for one of their group tours. The Crystal Palace Tour is the most popular as it lets you enjoy the breathtaking sight of the natural crystals that adorn the cave’s surface.
It is a small tour that covers two miles of cave passages. The tour guide will let you travel through multiple sections of the cavern, which is a beautiful experience.
The path is paved with handrails, and there are more than 350 steps as you go ascend and descend throughout the length of the cave. There are unbelievable formations of all kinds, and the crystal-clear ponds are worth viewing.
The guides are highly knowledgeable and will answer all queries that you may have. The tour is an excellent one as you meander through the different sections of the cave wherein each room is named after the type of formations found there, such as Crystal Palace, Baby Grand Canyon, Valley of Ice, and Christmas Tree Room.
The two-hour tour is fun and educational as you get to know a lot about the cave’s formations, history, and geology. The tour is perfect for all ages, and the kids would love this.
If you feel a bit adventurous, you may consider the Discovery Challenge Tour, which includes activities like rappelling into the Devil’s Pit. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is well worth the fear and adrenaline rush that you will experience here. On the other hand, if you like clicking pictures, opt for the Photography Tour, where you can take photos of this beautiful cave at your own pace.
Tour Prices and Discounts
Due to the COVID restrictions, Caverns of Sonora presently allow six people per tour, but before the pandemic, twelve people were allowed in a tour. The cost for an Adult (12 years and above) is USD 20, young children (4 to 11 years) is USD 16, and children under four years of age are admitted free.
Are Caverns of Sonora Cold?
Caves of Sonora remain at a constant 72 degrees F throughout the year with an average humidity of 98%. The real feel inside the cave is 85 degrees F. There is no need for the visitors to carry or wear any warm clothes.
What to Wear?
The Caverns of Sonora is a warm cave; so, there is no need for sweaters or jackets, but since there are more than 350 steps, visitors should wear comfortable walking shoes with good traction.
Caverns of Sonora Hours
The working hours of the cavern have been divided into two phases. From the 1st Tuesday after Labor Day to February 29, the caverns are open from 9 am to 5 pm, and from March 01 to Labor Day, it is open from 8 am to 6 pm. The Caverns are closed only on Christmas Day.
What to Do at Caverns of Sonora (Beside Tours)
At Caverns of Sonora, many activities would keep you and the little ones busy. There is a gift shop with a good collection of souvenirs, and one would also find facilities of gemstone panning where your kids are guaranteed to get emeralds, fossils, and gems after a round of panning.
Best Time to Visit
The Caverns are open throughout the year, but visitors have enjoyed coming here during the summer.
How to Get to Caverns of Sonora
Caverns of Sonora is between San Antonio and El Paso and is just 13 km from the small town of Sonora off IH-10 on exit 392. If you are looking for detailed directions from your place, you can click here for detailed information.
Hotels Nearby
There are plenty of accommodation options near Cavern of Sonora. Quality Inn in Sonora and Super 8 by Wyndham Sonora deserve special mention here. The Caverns also have camping facilities as their RV Park, and the tenting campground is in the heart of a functional ranch.
There are forty-eight camping sites, and they are equipped with good water and electricity. A dump station is not available here as there is a cavern here, but the restrooms are clean and have showers.
Visiting Caverns of Sonora
Do you need more information before visiting? Call (335) 387-3105 or email Caverns of Sonora for an information packet.
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