Texas Caves

• Where is Bracken Cave located?
  • Bracken Cave is located just outside of San Antonio, Texas.
  • It sits at the bottom of a sinkhole that was created when the cave’s roof collapsed.
• How do visitors access Bracken Cave?
  • The entrance to the cave is through a crescent-shaped, 100-foot-wide opening.
• What makes Bracken Cave special?
  • The cave is world-renowned as the home to the largest bat colony in the world.
• How many bats live in Bracken Cave?
  • It is estimated that more than 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats come to the cave from early March to the end of October to roost.
• Who owns and protects Bracken Cave?
  • Austin-based Bat Conservation International owns the cave and the surrounding land.
  • They have restored the land and planted a variety of native vegetation to support local wildlife.
• Can visitors enter Bracken Cave?
  • Access to the cave is strictly controlled to protect the habitat and the bats.
  • However, Bat Conservation International organizes guided tours to the cave entrance, where visitors can observe the bats as they fly out each evening during summer.

25101 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266

• Where is Cascade Caverns located?
  • Cascade Caverns is a limestone cave located about 3 miles from Boerne, Texas.
• When did Cascade Caverns become a show cave?
  • Cascade Caverns has been operated as a show cave since 1932.
  • However, informal private tours were organized as early as 1875, when the property was owned by Dr. Benjamin Hester.
• Who originally knew about the caverns?
  • Even before formal ownership, the Lipan Apache people, native to the area, were aware of the caverns and likely used them.
• How were the Cascade Caverns formed?
  • The caverns were formed during the Lower Cretaceous Period and are part of the larger Glen Rose Formation.
• What historical and prehistoric remains have been found in the cave?
  • The cave has been open to the outside world for thousands of years and contains:
    • Remains of mastodons and saber-toothed tigers
    • 18th-century artifacts from the Lipan Apache people
• What is the temperature inside Cascade Caverns?
  • The caverns maintain a constant average temperature of 60-65°F.
• What can visitors expect on the tour?
  • The guided tour lasts 45 minutes and covers half a mile of corridors and chambers.
  • The tour descends 132 feet below the surface into the spectacular Cathedral Room.

226 Cascade Cavern, Boerne, TX 78015

• What is Cave Without a Name?
  • Cave Without a Name is a living, natural cave considered one of the most beautiful caves in Texas.
  • It is located about 11 miles from Boerne, in the scenic Texas Hill Country.
• What makes Cave Without a Name special?
  • The cave features spectacular formations, including:
    • Stalactites and stalagmites
    • Soda straws and cave drapery
    • Flowstones and rimstone dams
• How does the guided tour work?
  • The guided tour runs through six of the most important rooms in the cave.
  • The cave maintains a constant and pleasant temperature of 66°F.
  • It is an easy and comfortable walk, with bright lighting and well-maintained pathways.
• What is special about the Cave Throne Room?
  • The Cave Throne Room is famous for its excellent acoustics.
  • It often hosts live concerts, creating a unique underground music experience.

325 Kreutzberg Rd, Boerne, TX 78006

• What are the Caverns of Sonora?
  • The Caverns of Sonora is considered one of the world’s most magnificent show caves.
  • It is located about 15 miles from Sonora, between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park.
• Where are the Caverns of Sonora located?
  • The caverns lie hidden beneath ranch country, where the Chihuahuan Desert meets Texas Hill Country.
• What activities are available around the cave entrance?
  • The area surrounding the entrance is a lively tourist destination featuring:
    • Hiking trails for nature lovers
    • Gold panning stations for visitors to try their luck
    • Shops selling homemade fudge and souvenirs
• Are there guided tours of the Caverns of Sonora?
  • Yes! Regular guided tours take visitors deep inside the cave to explore its breathtaking formations.
• What makes the Caverns of Sonora so special?
  • The cave is famous for its stunning calcite crystal formations.
  • It contains helictites of incredible complexity and purity, found here in rare abundance.

1711 PR 4468, Sonora, TX 76950

• What is Inner Space Cavern?
  • Inner Space Cavern is a fascinating cave located in Georgetown, Texas.
  • It was discovered in 1963 during the construction of Interstate 35 by the Texas Highway Department.
• What prehistoric discoveries were made in the cave?
  • Prehistoric animal remains were found in the cave, suggesting that:
    • There were several openings in the past.
    • Animals entered and became trapped in the mud.
• How large is Inner Space Cavern?
  • Several miles of tunnels have been explored.
  • However, many sections remain unknown due to blocked passages.
• When did Inner Space Cavern open to the public?
  • The cave was officially opened to the general public in 1966.
• What types of tours are available at Inner Space Cavern?
  • There are three different tours, ranging from easy to challenging:
    • A basic guided tour for beginners.
    • An adventure tour exploring deeper passages.
    • A guided spelunking tour for experienced cavers.
  • The tours cover more than 1.2 miles of passage.
  • Non-public passages are closed and well-guarded to preserve the cave.

4200 I-35, Georgetown, TX 78626

• What is Jacob's Well?
  • Jacob's Well is a perennial spring that flows from Cypress Creek, near Wimberley, Texas.
  • The mouth of the spring is 12 feet wide and is a popular swimming spot for locals.
• How deep is Jacob's Well?
  • From the creek bed opening, Jacob’s Well cave drops almost 30 feet vertically.
  • It then continues downward through a series of chambers until it reaches about 120 feet in depth.
• Has Jacob’s Well been explored?
  • Yes! The cave system has been studied, explored, and mapped by divers from the Jacob's Well Exploration Project.
  • They have determined that the cave has two main passageways.
• How far do the cave passageways extend?
  • The main passageway runs for about 4,500 feet from the surface.
  • A second passageway extends about 1,000 feet from the point where it separates from the main conduit.
• Is Jacob’s Well safe for diving?
  • The cave is extremely attractive to cave divers, but it is considered dangerous.
  • It is not recommended for inexperienced divers due to the complexity and depth of the cave system.

1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676

• What is Kickapoo Cavern?
  • Kickapoo Cavern is a state park located about 22 miles from Brackettville, Texas.
  • The park officially opened in 1991.
• How many caves are in Kickapoo Cavern State Park?
  • The park has 20 known and explored caves.
  • Two of these caves are large enough to be considered significant.
  • Most caves are about ¼ of a mile long.
• What outdoor activities are available at Kickapoo Cavern?
  • The park offers 14 miles of mountain biking trails.
  • There are also 18 miles of birding and hiking trails.
• Are there guided tours of the caverns?
  • Yes! The park offers simple guided tours of the caverns every Saturday.
• What kind of wildlife can visitors see at Kickapoo Cavern?
  • The park is full of diverse wildlife, and visitors may see:
    • White-tailed deer
    • Gray foxes
    • Raccoons
    • Rabbits
  • Birdwatchers can spot species such as:
    • Gray vireo
    • Varied bunting

20939 RM 674, Brackettville, TX 78832

• What is Longhorn Cavern State Park?
  • Longhorn Cavern State Park is a state park located in Burnet County, Texas.
  • The park is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and was opened to the general public in 1938.
• How was Longhorn Cavern formed?
  • Longhorn Cavern is a limestone cave that was created by the erosion of a fast underground river long ago.
• Who has used Longhorn Cavern throughout history?
  • The cave was known to and used by:
    • Native Americans
    • Confederate soldiers
    • Outlaws such as the notorious Sam Bass
• Was Longhorn Cavern used during Prohibition?
  • Yes! During Prohibition in the 1920s, the cavern was turned into a speakeasy by locals.
  • It was a popular entertainment spot with live music every night.
• What did the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) do at Longhorn Cavern State Park?
  • The CCC contributed to the park by:
    • Building Texas Park Road 4
    • Constructing pavilions and residences
    • Building a popular observation tower
  • They also explored most of the cavern and improved accessibility by cleaning it and adding walkways and stairs.
• Is Longhorn Cavern still used for events today?
  • Yes! Today, the cavern is once again used for concerts and theatre performances.

6211 Park Rd 4 S, Burnet, TX 78611

• What are the Natural Bridge Caverns?
  • The Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest commercial caverns in Texas.
  • They are located near San Antonio.
• Why are they called the Natural Bridge Caverns?
  • The caverns are named after a 60-foot long natural limestone bridge that crosses the amphitheater at the entrance.
  • This bridge was formed when a sinkhole collapsed underneath it.
• What geological formations can be found in the caverns?
  • The caverns contain several beautiful and unique speleothems, including:
    • Stalactites
    • Stalagmites
    • Flowstones
    • Soda straws
• What is the temperature inside the caverns?
  • The temperature inside the caverns is a constant 70°F.
• How deep do the guided tours go?
  • The guided tours take visitors as deep as 180 feet below the surface.
  • However, there are undeveloped sections of the cavern that reach 230 feet underground.
• Are the Natural Bridge Caverns still forming?
  • Yes! Due to the porosity of the limestone rock, the caverns are still actively forming and changing.
  • Rainwater seeps through the rock, dissolving calcite and slowly creating new speleothems.

26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266