Ultimate Guide to Inner Space Cavern, Texas (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
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Inner Space Cavern near Georgetown has excited visitors for more than 50 years. It is a sizeable complex cave with many beautiful formations and an exciting display of mammal bones from the Pleistocene Age. The cave was discovered in 1963 by the Texas Highway Department and was opened to the public for tours three years later.
Inner Space Cavern, Texas
It is one of those caves that the whole family can enjoy. Many family-friendly tours like the Adventure Tour and the Hidden Passage Tour are available here. Dynamite blasts formed the main entrance of the cave, and there is a vertical borehole in the Cathedral Room, which helps to ventilate the cavern.
History of Inner Space Cavern
Inner Space Cavern was formed by water passing through the Edwards Limestone. The cavern is estimated to be around 25 million years old but was open to the surface for the last 45,000 years only.
The Texas Highway Department discovered the cavern during the drilling operations of May 1963 to test the underpass foundations. The early exploration of the spelunkers was permitted by the large diameter hole drilled into the roof of one of the large rooms of the cave.
The present entrance of the cave is an artificial tunnel equipped with a cable car. Geologists say that 90% of the complex but highly decorated cave is still active. The cavern was opened to the public in 1966, and hundreds of thousands of visitors have come here to view this beautiful cave.
Fossils of prehistoric animals have been found here, including 44 different species of animals. However, 11 of these are already extinct. Some notable skeletons include a saber-toothed cat, glyptodont, ground sloth, and a camel.
Geological Cave Formations
Inner Space Cavern mainly consists of limestone and dolomite. One would find innumerable rock formations such as stalagmites, columns, stalactites, drapery, and a massive sinkhole.
Wildlife in Inner Space Cavern
The cavern has evidence of many skeletons of prehistoric animals of the Ice Age era, such as giant sloth, baby mammoths, and saber-toothed tigers.
Today, the cave boasts a diverse range of invertebrate fauna and a couple of endangered species such as Bone Cave Harvestman & Coffin Cave Mold Beetle. Experts say that bats hang out in this cave even today, but it is difficult to spot them.
Is Inner Space Cavern Haunted?
Inner Space Cavern is mysterious-looking, but it’s in no way haunted.
How Big is Inner Space Cavern?
The Inner Space Cavern has a length of 6114m and a depth of 69 feet.
Inner Space Cavern Tours
There are three types of tours. The Adventure Tour is for beginners and is open to people of all ages. No Reservation is required for this as the Adventure Tour departs every 20 to 30 min. It is a kid-friendly tour and lasts for about 75 minutes.
It is the most popular cave tour where the guide takes you in a group through the cavern, and you get to learn about the history of the cave, and how this cavern was created, and he will also point out the amazing geological formations.
The guides are helpful, and they make sure that the kids in the group are in front to get the best views. You will get to view bats, stalagmites, ancient flowstones, prehistoric bones, and stalactites. It is an engaging tour, and you will enjoy every minute.
The Hidden Passages Tour is of 1.5 hours duration and is open to visitors who are at least seven years of age. The guests are provided with a flashlight to explore the formations in this intimate tour of the cave. The visitors will be led through a newly opened section of the cave on a trail that is yet to be developed. Closed-toe shoes are highly recommended for this tour.
This tour is not recommended for tourists who have disabilities or are claustrophobic. This tour has limited availability, and tickets are sold on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you are looking for more excitement, you can opt for the adventurous Wild Cave Tour. It will take you deep underground into a complex maze of chambers and passages led by highly experienced staff members.
The tour involves 3 to 4 hours of hiking, climbing, crawling, and squeezing through various tight spots so that you get a wonderful view of the formations and the rooms. The tour is physically demanding and ideally requires the participants to have previous caving experience.
A signed waiver is essential, and children between 13 to 17 years must be accompanied by one of the parents or a legal guardian. Guests are advised to wear long-sleeved shirts or t-shirts, but these can become ruined or stained. You must wear hiking boots for this tour, and they must provide good traction and ankle support. Guests must also carry a change of dress and a towel as these will be needed on this tour.
Participants of this tour will be provided several items by the authorities, such as helmets, gloves, headlamps, knee pads, elbow pads, and bottled water. The Wild Cave Tour is only available through reservation.
Tour Prices and Discounts
The entry charges for the Adventure Tour are as follows.
- Adults (13 years and above) – USD 21.95
- Children (4 to 12 years) – USD 15.95
Hidden Passages Tour
- Adults – USD 26.95
- Children – USD 18.95
Wild Cave Tour
- Adults – USD 100
If you have a Military ID, you will get a USD 2 per person.
There are separate charges for the Saber Tooth Ride. A single ride would cost USD 12 ++ pp and USD 10++ when purchased along with a cave tour. There is also an UNLIMITED All-Day ticket that would cost USD 30++ pp.
Is Inner Space Cavern Cold?
The temperature in the cavern is about 72 degrees F with a humidity of 98%, which makes it feel like 80 degrees F. The temperature remains constant throughout the year.
What to Wear?
You can wear light, comfortable clothes but footwear is important. One must opt for closed-toes shoes with good traction to have a better experience in the cave tours. There is no need to wear a sweater or jacket in the cave.
Inner Space Cavern Hours
Inner Space Cavern is open from 9 am to 4 pm (Monday to Friday) and 10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. It remains closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day & Easter Day.
What to Do at Inner Space Cavern (Beside Tours)
When you come to Inner Space Cavern, you will never get bored. You can do many activities after you have finished touring the caves.
Gemstone Panning
You need to purchase a bag of paydirt and search for semi-precious gemstones and fossils which you can keep! There will be an information card that will help you identify the treasures that you have found. It is a great family activity, and you can start your mineral collection from here.
Gift Shop/Snack Bar/Fudge
If you want to keep your memories of your visit alive, then you must visit the Gift Shop. It has a wide variety of rocks, puzzles, jewelry, and games. When you feel exhausted, you can come to the Snack Bar to try the candied pecans, almonds, fountain drinks, and candy bars.
The Fudge is where you will get all your favorite flavors, and do not forget to check out the seasonal offerings. At USD 4.00 per piece, it does not get cheaper.
Saber Tooth Zip Ride
It is the newest attraction in Inner Space Cavern. The ride lifts you 130 ft into the air going backward for 630 ft. The lift stops at the top to allow the riders a quick view of the surroundings, and then it comes down at 33 mph.
Best Time to Visit
Inner Space Cavern can be visited at any time of the year. Contrary to popular belief, the cavern does not flood during rains. So, technically, you can also come here during the rains, but people prefer to visit in the dry season.
How to Get to Inner Space Cavern
Inner Space Cavern is on the outskirts of the beautiful Texas Hill Country. The cave is conveniently placed next to IH-35 at exit # 259. If you are coming from Austin, you need to drive North on IH 35. Next, you need to take Exit 259 B toward SE Inner Loop Dr and then turn left onto SE Inner Loop Dr. When you cross under IH – 35, the destination will be on your right.
Hotels near Inner Space Cavern
Staying overnight near Inner Space Cavern would never be a problem as WoodSpring Suites Austin is less than a km away.
Visiting Inner Space Cavern
Do you need more information before visiting? Call (512) 931-2283 or email Inner Space Cavern for an information packet.
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