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 | 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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 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.
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A country preacher stands at a raised podium just outside the entrance of Jack’s Frightmare Forest at SeaWorld San Antonio. He delivers a brief message in a somber tone about the importance of facing your fears. He then ushers you into one of the most spooky haunted walks around.
This past Saturday, Eric and I took a morning drive from Austin to the Natural Bridge Caverns. The Caverns are eight miles off I-35 between New Braunfels and San Antonio (closer to S.A.).