Central Texas is well known for its sprawling hills, pristine rivers and all-around breathtaking views — but, what you may not know that its just as mesmerizing down below as it is on top. That’s because it’s home to four of the most incredible caves in Texas: Inner Space Caverns, Natural Bridge Caverns, Cave Without a Name and Caverns of Sonora. And what’s even cooler is that these four caves have teamed up to make one EPIC road trip called the “Texas Cave Trail.”
Starting this year, when you visit one of the caves on the trail you’ll receive a passport or you can print one. Your mission should you choose to accept it (and you should cause it’s awesome) is to take that passport and visit the three other caves in any order within a year to get stamps for each one. Not only will you walk away with an experience unlike any other, but you’ll also receive a FREE T-SHIRT at the end of your cave-trippin’ journey! Read on to learn more about your destinations.
Here’s the Map:
Inner Space Caverns – Georgetown, TX
Courtesy of Inner Space Caverns.
The caverns were first discovered when highway crews were checking to see if the ground was sound enough to build Interstate 35 on it in 1963 — it was, but they found the Inner Space Caverns when their drill bit got stuck in the limestone below. Explore the massive cathedral-like rooms in these caves on foot on the Adventures Tour or crawl through undeveloped sections of the cave on the Hidden Passages Tour. Either way, there’s nothing more awe-inspiring than the rumble of cars passing on the highway overhead or the complete darkness you can experience in the caves. One sight you can’t miss is the Lake of the Moon — a sight that seems more fitting for astronauts in a spaceship.
Natural Bridge Caverns – San Antonio, TX
Courtesy of Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge is the largest show cave in Texas, with tours leading you down 180 feet beneath the earth! You can explore the depths by taking a walking Discovery Tour where you’ll learn about the ancient stalactites and stalagmites or you can get an up-close and personal look at these giant formations on the Hidden Passages tour as you venture through untouched parts of the cave and experience total darkness. If you’re really up for a challenge you can take the Lantern Tour where your only source of light is a few lanterns; you’ll see what it was like when the cave was first discovered by college students in 1960. When you’re done exploring underground, head back to the surface for ziplining and a giant maze. See our time at Natural Bridge here.
Cave Without a Name – Boerne, TX
Yes, the Cave without a Name is the actual name of this “nameless” cave…confused yet? After it was discovered by three children, the town hosted a contest to decide a name for the cave. One entry said “That cave is too beautiful for a name” — and well, the rest is history. But the name (or rather non-name?) of this cave is not the only cool thing here. You can tour Cave Without a Name and see the many breathtaking formations or attend a musical performance inside the cave where amazing acoustics and wondrous rock formations combine to make one incredibly unique opportunity. See our time in the cave here.
Caverns of Sonora – Sonora, TX
Courtesy of Sonora Caverns.
This beautiful cave halfway between the Hill Country and West Texas was actually discovered when a dog chased a raccoon into the caves in the 1920s. Take in the astounding sights of this cave to find alien rock formations and otherworldly beauty on a Crystal Palace Tour or become Indiana Jones and rappel down into the dark depths of the cave on the Discovery Challenge. If you’d rather, you can capture every rock, water droplet and moment on a Photography Tour.
Get to exploring and find more information about the Texas Cave Trail here!
