Ultimate Guide to Rock Dove Cave, Texas (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
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The Rock Dove Cave is in San Antonio that has been closed to the public to safeguard the geological formations inside. It is touted as the 5th largest cave in Bexar County and has many geological formations like stalagmites and stalactites.
Unfortunately, many formations like soda straws were broken over the years by vandals and amateur spelunkers. A decision was made to seal the cave from the public to safeguard the remaining formations.
History of Rock Dove Cave
On Jan 30, 2013, the cave was discovered when a crew trenching for a sewer line discovered an opening into a void below the ground. McMillin Homes informed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality about finding the cave on Jan 31, 2013. The developer installed an 8 ft tall chain-link fence and a 24-inch water pipe to block the entrance to keep the public out of this cave. The news of the discovery spread like wildfire, and was named Rock Dove Cave after the road under which it passed.
The potential homeowners were not told about the existence of the cave under their sites as per the residents. However, the developers maintained that the existence of the cave was disclosed to the potential homeowners. The experts believe that this is the 5th largest cave in Bexar County.
The cave was damaged a lot due to the developer’s deep rock trenching and the lack of protection of the cave from the locals. The amateur explorers had broken soda straws, stalactites, and stalagmites, leading to irreversible damage to the cave. The geologists were concerned with the cave’s future and did not like to see the formations being destroyed.
So the developers had put steel plates over the opening to block the cave further and secure it from all elements. A decision has been taken so that no sewer line passes through or over the cave. There are also plans to put steel beams across the cave entrance to seal the cave entrance completely.
Geological Cave Formations
Rock Dove Cave is one of the most decorated caves ever discovered as the colors range from bright white to pink and dark red. Two chambers are as high as 40 ft. There are 12 ft long stalactites that look like soda straws and hang from the ceilings and sheets that look like bacon. There are rounded stalagmites on the floor that rise up to 15 ft and resemble disproportionate candles.
Wildlife
You will come across the usual and non-game animals near the Rock Dove Caves.
Is Rock Dove Cave Haunted?
The cave has been closed to the public not because it is haunted but to protect the natural geological formations from vandalism and other kinds of damage.
How Big is Rock Dove Cave?
The cave is 450 ft long with a width of 90 ft and has a height of 42 ft.
Rock Dove Cave Tours
The cave is off-limits for the public; so, no tours are available.
Tour Prices and Discounts
No tours are available as the caves are permanently closed.
Is Rock Dove Cave Cold?
The temperature inside is a few degrees lower than the surrounding temperatures.
What to Wear?
Since you cannot enter the caves, there is no specific advice required for what to wear.
Rock Dove Cave Hours
One can visit the from dawn to dusk.
What to Do (Beside Tours)
There is nothing to do here since it is closed, but you can head to downtown San Antonio and check out some popular sites.
Best Time to Visit
One can visit the caves any time of the year, but the entrance is completely sealed off.
How to Get to Rock Dove Cave
The cave is in San Antonio.
Hotels Nearby
There are some decent accommodation options nearby, such as the Drury Plaza Hotel and the Holiday Inn San Antonio.
Visiting Rock Dove Cave
Do you need more information before visiting? There is no contact information available for this majestic-looking cave. One can search the web or contact the authorities at Bexar County for more information.
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