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Caverns in Texas – 12 Best Austin Caves & Cave Tours Near You

Posted on August 12, 2023 by Brittany Ballard

Caverns in Texas - 12 Best Austin Caves & Cave Tours Near You

Caverns in Texas – 12 Best Austin Caves & Cave Tours Near You

Looking for caverns in Texas? Want to explore the best caves in Texas? Luckily, there’s a great mix of both in Austin!

Before we dive into the different bat caves in Texas or caverns Texas has to offer, what’s the difference between the two? Well, while used interchangeably, a cave is a naturally occurring cavity in the ground that is large enough for a human to enter. On the other hand, a cavern is a larger cave, typically with high ceilings and open chambers.

Let’s check out the best “salt cave near me” or cool tavern that everyone should visit at least once! Here’s our list of Austin Caves and Caverns in Texas for your next adventure!


Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.

Also, check out our recent articles Swimming Holes in Texas, Austin Lakes, and Waterfalls in Texas.


Caverns in Texas – Austin Caves

Inner Space Cavern

caverns in texas

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Inner Space Cavern

This cavern is known for its well-preserved fossils, including the remains of a saber-toothed cat and a giant ground sloth. If this showed up in the results for “cavern near me” or “cavern tours near me,” it also has a variety of other unique formations, including cave bacon!

Location: 4200 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Georgetown, TX 78626
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm | Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: Adventure Tour $21.95 per adult (Monday – Thursday); $15.95 per child (4-12 years old) & $22.95 per adult (Friday – Sunday); $16.95 per child (4-12 years old); Children under 3 years old FREE | Hidden Passages Tour $26.95 per adult (Monday – Thursday); $18.95 per child (7-12 years old) & $27.95 per adult (Friday – Sunday); $19.95 per child (4-12 years old) | Wild Cave Tour $125 per person (13 years old+) | Ice Age Tour $28.95 per person (13 years old+); $20.95 per child (6-12 years old)

Driving time from Austin: ~28 minutes


Longhorn Caverns State Park

Searching up “cavern tours near me” or “a cave tour near me?” This is one of the Texas caverns that are known for its large, open chambers and its colorful formations. Longhorn Caverns was once used as a hideout by the infamous outlaw Sam Bass.

Location: 6211 Park Road 4 S, Burnet, TX 78611
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm | Saturday – Sunday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Cost: Cavern Walking Tour $22.25 per adult (12 years old+); $18.25 per child (4-11 years old) | Wild Cave Tour $100.25 per person

Driving time from Austin: ~1 hour & 8 minutes


Natural Bridge Caverns

caves in texas

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Natural Bridge Caverns

Looking for “cave tours near me” or “crystal caves near me?” These are the largest known commercial caverns in the U.S. state of Texas. The caverns are home to a variety of unique formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and cave pearls. They also have a 60-foot natural limestone bridge that spans the entrance to the caverns.

Location: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
Operating Hours: Daily 8:30 am – 7:30 pm
Cost: St. Mary’s Adventure Tour $129.99 per person | Discovery Adventure Tour $169.99 per person | Adult Cavern Tour $26.50 – $32.75

Driving time from Austin: ~1 hour & 5 minutes


The Cave Without a Name

texas caves

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: The Cave Without a Name

A top contender for “caverns near me,” this one is known for its unusual formations, including cave popcorn, which are small, round formations that look like popcorn kernels. Cave Without a Name also has a variety of other unique features, including a waterfall that flows through the cave and a room that is filled with thousands of bats.

Location: 325 Kreutzberg Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Cost: Children under 6 years old FREE | Standard $22 per adult; $11 per child (6-12 years old) | Military/Senior $20 per adult; $10 per child (6-12 years old) | Group Rates (12 or more paying guests) $17 per adult; $9.25 per child (6-12 years old)

Driving time from Austin: ~1 hour & 37 minutes


Caverns of Sonora

texas caverns

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Caverns of Sonora

Another one of the caverns in TX, the Caverns of Sonora is known for its beautiful formations, including helictites, which are twisted, spiraling formations that are rarely found in other caves near Austin Texas. These Texas caverns also have a variety of wildlife, including bats, cave crickets, and cave salamanders. For enthusiasts looking for “cavern tours near me,” the Caverns of Sonora has something for everyone.

Location: 1711 Private Rd 4468, Sonora, TX 76950
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: Crystal Palace Tour Children under 4 years old FREE; $28 per adult; $22 per child (4-11 years old) | Horseshoe Lake Tour Children under 4 years old FREE; $24 per adult; $18 per child (4-11 years old)

Driving time from Austin: ~3 hours & 30 minutes


Cascade Caverns

caves texas

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Cascade Caverns

These could be the “best caverns near me” as the Cascade Caverns are known for their waterfalls and their variety of formations. Cascade Caverns is a can in Texas that is also home to a variety of wildlife, including bats, cave crickets, and cave salamanders. So, if you were searching for “salt caves near me,” give Cascade Caverns a try.

Location: 226 Cascade Cavern, Boerne, TX 78015
Operating Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Cost: Daily Downunder Tours Children under 4 years old FREE; $19.95 per adult; $14.95 per child (4-11 years old)

Driving time from Austin: ~1 hour & 33 minutes


Caverns in Texas – Best Caves in Austin

Colorado Bend State Park

texas cave

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Colorado Bend State Park

Looked up “Texas caves near me?” This park has some of the best Texas caves near Austin and is also a popular spot for camping, hiking, and fishing.

Location: 2236 Park Hill Dr, Bend, TX 76824
Operating Hours: Daily 6:00 am – 10:00 pm
Cost: Adventure Tour $25 per person (8 years old+)

Driving time from Austin: ~1 hour & 42 minutes


Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park

caves in texas map

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Wonder World Cave Adventure Park

Choose this option out of all of the different suggestions in “cave near me.” Wonder World Cave probably showed up in the results for “caverns near Austin” because it’s known for its colorful formations and its variety of wildlife!

Location: 1000 Prospect St, San Marcos, TX 78666
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm | Saturday 9:00 am – 8:00 pm | Sunday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm
Cost: Cave Tour Children under 4 years old FREE; $23.95 per adult; $17.95 per child (4-12 years old) | Train Ride Children under 4 years old FREE; $14.95 per person | All-in-one Ticket $7 Children under 4 years old & $5 per military child; $31.95 per adult & $26.95 per military adult; $23 per child (4-12 years old) & $18.95 per military child; $26.95 per Senior Citizen (65 years old+)

Driving time from Austin: ~36 minutes


Kickapoo Cavern State Natural Area

caverns in tx

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Kickapoo Cavern

This cave Texas is home to is known for its large, open chambers and its colorful formations. The State Park is also a popular spot for camping, hiking, and fishing. If you were looking for Texas caverns near Austin TX, this is one you shouldn’t miss out on.

Location: 20939 Ranch to Market Rd 674 N, Brackettville, TX 78832
Operating Hours: Saturday 1:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Cost: Cave tour $10 per person

Driving time from Austin: ~3 hours & 46 minutes


Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area

caverns texas

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Devil’s Sinkhole

Enjoy one of the coolest cave tours in Texas and the Devil’s Sinkhole, a cavern that’s more than 350ft deep! This Austin cave is perfect for a weekend out with family and friends!

Location: Rocksprings, TX 78880
Operating Hours: Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Cost: Morning Bat Flight Tours $20 per adult; $10 per child (1-11 years old) | Evening Bat Flight Tour Children under 4 years old FREE; $14 per adult; $11 per senior (65 years old+); $6 per child (4-12 years old)

Driving time from Austin: ~2 hours & 55 minutes


Bracken Cave

best caves in texas

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Bracken Cave

This is one of the “caves to explore near me” that is home to the largest colony of Mexican free-tailed bats in the world. Bracken Cave is also a popular spot for cave tours and bat-watching. Bracken Caves is one of the popular Austin caves you just have to see  for yourself.

Location: 26101 FM3009, San Antonio, TX 78266
Operating Hours: Not stated
Cost: Member Bat Flights $10 per adult | Public Bat Flights $30 per person

Driving time from Austin: ~1 hour & 15 minutes


Frio Bat Cave

Caverns San Antonio - 12 Best Texas Caves & Cave Tours Near You

Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Frio Bat Cave

As one of the most popular caves in Texas, the bat flight is a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can watch the bats from a viewing platform located near the cave. Head out to one of the coolest Austin caverns in town.

Location: Farm to Market 2690, Concan, TX 78838
Operating Hours: Daily 7:00 pm
Cost: Bat Tour Children under 6 years old FREE; $12 per adult; $10 per child (6-10 years old); $11 per military/veteran/first responder; $11 per senior (60 years old+)

Driving time from Austin: ~2 hours & 29 minutes


Looking for Caverns in other cities? Check out these articles – Caverns Houston and Caverns San Antonio.

Stay up to date on all fun things going on in Austin with our weekly updates to Things to Do in Austin this Week, Things to Do in Austin this Weekend, & Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend

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Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries, Outdoor, Travel Tagged With: boerne, burnet tx, georgetown, san antonio, sonora

Party With Purpose This November at UTOPiAfest in Burnet

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Katrina Cervantes

Concert With Lights and Confetti at UTOPiAfest
UTOPiAfest is a family-friendly festival (Credit: UTOPiAfest)

One idea of utopia is a beautiful countryside rich for exploring. It consists of being surrounded by old friends, new friends, and family. There’s delicious food, amazing local music, and the perfect balance between sound and silence. Thankfully, a version of utopia comes to fruition for one weekend every year, during UTOPiAfest.

This year, the festival will be celebrating its 11th anniversary. Read on to discover everything that awaits you at UTOPiAfest, this Nov. 14-16, 2019.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Entertainment, Events, Music Tagged With: burnet tx

Roll Out the Barrel: Notable Texas Wineries Worth Visiting

Posted on March 23, 2018 by Samantha Saenz

Texas Wineries Worth Visiting

Wine tasting in the Perissos vineyard
(Credit: Matt McGinnis)

When I sent in my RSVP for the annual Roll Out the Barrel event, I was signing up for three winery visits in one day. Although I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting into, certified sommelier Matt McGinnis clued me in. Roll Out the Barrel is a Texas take on the time-honored tradition of hosting en primeur tastings of newly available wine for journalists and wine professionals, traditionally held in Bordeaux each spring.

Although far from France, Texas Hill Country is definitely becoming known for wine. Thanks to my intimate, first-hand experience during Rolling Out the Barrel, I now have a better understanding of why. Here’s what I learned from three day-trip-worthy Texas wineries.

Thank you to the vineyards featured in this article for allowing me to attend Roll Out the Barrel at no charge. All opinions are my own. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries, Drink, Food & Drink Tagged With: burnet tx, san saba, wine, winery

Never Run Out of Things to Do and See at Gorgeous Inks Lake State Park

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Brittany Highland

Inks Lake State Park

Photo credit: Kim Anh via Flickr CC

I can’t get enough of Texas state parks, especially during the heat of summer. Just over an hour from downtown Austin, Inks Lake State Park outside of Burnet is a must-see destination. The park spans more than 1,200 acres, offering a wide range of activities for guests.

Also, the lake stays at a constant level, so activities like swimming and boating are unaffected by drought conditions. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Austinot Loves, Day Trips, Discoveries Tagged With: burnet tx, hiking, outdoors, swimming, texas state parks

Carry the Load – Austin: Bringing Meaning Back to Memorial Day

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Guest Blogger

Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet

Reveille Peak Ranch in Burnet

This guest post is by Vol Montgomery.

Ask your neighbors what Memorial Day means to them. Is it a three-day weekend? A barbecue? A mattress sale? What do you think Memorial Day should mean?

Carry the Load – Austin will help bring back the true meaning of Memorial Day. This one-day, non-profit event honors veterans and active duty service members, law enforcement officers, firefighters and their families. It raises funds to support the meaningful work of four local charities: The Comfort Crew for Military Kids, Heroes on the Water, Folds of Honor Foundation and Serve Who Serve.

Carry the Load – Austin will take place on May 25, 2013 at Reveille Peak Ranch, a 1,300-acre outdoor adventure and event center just outside of Burnet, one hour from Austin. Founded three years ago in Dallas by Clint Bruce, a former Navy Seal, Carry the Load is coming to the Central Texas area for the first time. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: burnet tx

Burnet Bluebonnet Festival: Parades, Pets, Races & Small Town Charm

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Guest Blogger

Texas Bluebonnets

Credit: Jeff Cohen

This guest blog post is by Tracey Louis.

Austin and Burnet contrast greatly from one another. Funky, urban-yet-outdoorsy Austin is only an hour away from quaint, traditional Burnet.

Yet they share some commonalities, including a love of reveling in springtime’s natural beauty, and fabulous hospitality inclusive of our beloved pets.

One of my favorite festivals is the Burnet Bluebonnet Festival, precisely because it does such a good job of showcasing Burnet’s small town charms, sharing the beauty of springtime wildflowers that paint the roadways and hillsides, and including our animal companions in the fun. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries Tagged With: burnet tx, day trips

Burnet BBQ Cook-off: 80 Teams, Secret Sauces, Margaritas & More

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Eric Highland

The Burnet BBQ Cook Off

The 15th annual Burnet BBQ Cook-off is taking place this Saturday at Reveille Peak Ranch

This Saturday is the don’t-miss BBQ event of the year – the Burnet BBQ Cook-off and Music Festival!

Held at the incomparable 1,300 acre Reveille Peak Ranch on September 29th, the Burnet BBQ Cook-off is sure to get your taste buds twangin’. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Archives Tagged With: bbq, burnet tx

True Hill Country BBQ at Burnet Feed Store BBQ

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Eric Highland

After visiting the amazing Reveille Peak Ranch just northwest of Burnet, we decided to stop in at Burnet Feed Store BBQ, a Texas Hill Country landmark since 1977. But this spot wasn’t always a BBQ Joint.

Burnet Feed Store BBQ Origins

Burnet Feed Store BBQ

In 1977, James and Drucilla Banner opened the Burnet Feed Store to provide for local ranchers in the Hill Country around Burnet. The Banners eventually sold the company, and though the business continued under new ownership, profits declined through most of 2000-2007. In December 2007, the place went up for sale. It was purchased by Lorenzo Romero and Rucker Ashmore. These two had the vision of turning Burnet Feed Store into a Hill Country BBQ restaurant, and that’s exactly what they did.

One of the largest restaurants in Burnet with seating for over 120, the Burnet Feed Store BBQ is now one of the busiest spots in Burnet on any given day. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: bbq, burnet tx, day trips

Heights, Depths & the Rugged In Between at Reveille Peak Ranch

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Brittany Highland

Bluebonnets at Reveille Peak Ranch

Bluebonnets in bloom

If you owned 1,300 acres of pristine Texas Hill Country, what would you do with it?

For Vol Montgomery, the answer doesn’t have to do with profit or development, but with preservation and passion. The owner of Reveille Peak Ranch is actively creating a unique community for his friends and family, and those who share his interests.

On most days, Reveille Peak Ranch is a specially-designed haven for a small subset of outdoor sports enthusiasts: mountain bikers, trail runners and scuba divers. But it also functions as happy host to nature studies, school and youth camp outs, community BBQ’s and one-of-a-kind weddings. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Day Trips, Discoveries Tagged With: biking, burnet tx, events

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