The Best List of Caves in Texas

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When you think of Caves in Texas, what do you imagine? Caves are a lot like people: each one is unique in its own way. Caves were formed over millions of years by the slow dissolution of rock and minerals, so no two caves will have the same formation or history.

Cave exploration is an exciting adventure and for many, it’s a lifelong hobby that can be enjoyed with friends or family. The best list of Caves in Texas has been compiled to help you find your perfect cave experience!

The Best List of Caves in Texas

Remember the old Hollywood western films? Texas was the main backdrop in most of those films, and, for the people, the state became synonymous with cowboys and lone rangers. Today the tourists are in love with the display of natural beauty in the state, but not many are aware of the wonders beneath the surface.

So, are there any caves in Texas? There are several caves near Austin and San Antonio, but only a few are accessible to the public. It is to be remembered that the only way to see any of the show caves in Texas is with the help of a guided tour. However, visiting a cave in Texas does not mean crawling in the darkness, as most of these have lighted passageways. 

Top Caves to Visit in Texas

We have compiled a list of the best caves in Texas. Since there is no shortage of caves in the state, you can easily plan a day trip or a weekend excursion to one of these sites for a real adventure. Never forget to carry your tools along with you so that you are never in trouble at any time. 

• Airmen’s Cave
• Baker Cave
• Bracken Cave
• Cascade Caverns 
• Cave without a Name
• Caverns of Sonora
• Inner Space Cavern
• Jacob’s Well
• Kickapoo Cavern
• Longhorn Cavern
• Natural Bridge Caverns
• Rock Dove Cave
• Spring Creek Cave
• Wonder Cave
• Colorado Bend State Park
• Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area

The biggest hardship that you will face while doing a cave tour in Texas are the steep walkways and descending underground via the stairs. There are a few caves wherein you need to spend hours crawling underground.

The best part is that all the caves in Texas have a comfortable temperature throughout the year, making the tours less strenuous. The list of these caves may seem a bit confusing to you; so, let’s break this down a bit into different sections for your convenience. 

Best Caves in Texas

Here we will discuss the best caves in Texas that are worth visiting.

Wild Caves in Texas

There are many caves in the state that are just waiting to be explored. Some of these have never undergone commercial exploitation, although these are open for public visits. 

Caverns of Sonora

Located between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park are the Caverns of Sonora. Only 12 visitors are allowed at a time, and you have to climb down a staggering 300 stairs to witness strange but beautiful natural crystal formations. 

Wonder World Cave

The Wonder World Cave, located in San Marcos, was created by an earthquake. Though the cave opened commercially in 1903, it remains less visited and markedly different from the other caves in the state. 

Underwater Caves in Texas

Some caves are truly ‘underwater’, and others can be best described as wet caves. We will try to highlight the best of both worlds. 

Cascade Caverns

Located near San Antonio, the Cascade Caverns is a gateway to the hidden world. Several tours are conducted here for the tourists, and the cave remains accessible irrespective of the weather. It is not an underwater cave in the truest sense of the term but one that comes naturally close. However, one should call here before arriving as the cave does get closed due to flooding. 

Westcave Preserve

Westcave Preserve is a natural treasure that possesses excellent ecological diversity and unique beauty. At the end of the canyon on the Hamilton Pool Road is Westcave, with a stunning 40 ft waterfall that fills the emerald pool below it. Many tours are conducted here, but reservations are mandatory. 

Bat Caves in Texas

The name of the cave is self-revealing. It is ideal for bat watching, and you should check out the bat caves to watch these nocturnal creatures from a close distance. 

Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area

Located west of San Antonio, Devil’s Sinkhole is a vast vertical cavern over 350 ft deep. This mammoth hole is home to a huge colony of Mexican free-tailed bats. Believe it or not, more than three million bats call this sinkhole their home every year between May and October. The dense concentration of these bats is a natural spectacle every evening during these months. 

Kickapoo Caverns State Park

This state park has more than 20 caves, but the largest one is the Stuart Bat Cave, which, as the name suggests, is famous for the huge population of bats. It is a renowned cave for tourists, and prior reservation is mandatory if you want to undertake one of the guided tours.

The cave is home to thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats. The bats coming out from the entrance is a spectacular show and a photographer’s delight. 

Hidden Caves in Texas

Texas boasts of unique cave formations and some of these are off the beaten track or ‘hidden’ from the eye of the people. 

Longhorn Cavern

The formation of his cave was largely due to the underground river that managed to carve out an intricate network of caves beneath the Burnet ranchland. The caverns were mapped by the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s. 

Kickapoo Cavern

Located right on the edge of the Edwards Plateau, the Kickapoo Cavern is best known for its mammoth 16-story underground chambers. The cave was first explored in the 1880s and was described as an underground wonder due to its massive space. Visitors come here to wander through the stalagmite mazes. 

Haunted Caves in Texas

What is creepier? A haunted hotel or a haunted cave? Once you check out the haunted caves of Texas, you will start believing that nothing is scarier than the haunted caves. Most parts of these caves are still unexplored, and this is a golden opportunity for you to explore the caves, but you should not. 

Westcave Preserve

One of the most beautiful places to go in Texas is Westcave Preserve, and it is rumored that an evil force haunts the main grotto. Many people have reported a sense of deep fear when entering the grotto, but it does look beautiful from every possible angle. There are several stores regarding the grotto, and there is a general feeling that it is haunted. 

Caverns of Sonora

There are reports that the place has whispering ghosts who mislead people into taking wrong turns to lose their way. The continuous whispering forces the people to break away from the group, and thus they lose their way. 

Mining Caves in Texas

Texas has several gorgeous caves, and a few of these are ideal mining locations. 

Natural Bridge Caverns, San Antonio

Natural Bridge Caverns was discovered in 1960 by university students and is the most extensive cavern system in Texas. Visitors can keep themselves busy through a wide range of activities to keep themselves busy such as canopy challenge, Hidden Passage, and even mining for fossils and gems. The place is also home to an annual Christmas celebration that includes a Christmas village too!

As you can tell, the state of Texas has a lot of caves to explore. Make certain to always be safe and prepared before entering any cave so you can make your cave experience a good one!

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