Caverns Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

In the southeastern corner of the state, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the most impressive series of limestone caves in the world. Carlsbad is a three-level cavern that contains the largest known underground room in the world (300 ft/92 m high by 1,500 ft/458 m long by 300 ft/92 m wide). The immense, cathedral-like chamber is an extraordinary sight. Visitors should allow most of the day to see the caverns. The Natural Entrance Tour and the Big Room Tour can be taken without a guide. There are lots of guided tours available, as well, some of them strenuous. Strollers are not allowed, and pets must be placed in a kennel.

Visitors should take a long-sleeved shirt or sweater (the temperature is 56 F/13 C year-round in the caverns) and wear rubber-soled shoes, as the walkways may be slippery and damp. There is an underground lunchroom (sandwiches and soft drinks), but some prefer to take their own food. During the summer, there is a daily emergence of hundreds of thousands of Mexican freetail bats at twilight. (It's popular, so visitors should arrive early to get a seat.) The park also hosts a weekend predawn Bat Flight Breakfast in July.

The park is open daily except; hours vary by season. The entrance fee is US$10 adults for a three-day pass. Phone 575-785-2232. https://www.nps.gov/cave.

Overview

Introduction

Texas has more than 2,000 known caves, most of which are located in the limestone and gypsum areas of central and west Texas. Cascade Caverns (near Boerne) has an impressive underground waterfall (http://www.cascadecaverns.com). While you're in the area, see Cave Without a Name, less well-known than Cascade Caverns (probably because it has no name) but still worth visiting (http://www.cavewithoutaname.com).

Natural Bridge Caverns (near New Braunfels) is a large, beautiful set of caverns with delicate and towering geological wonders. The variety and number of formations make this set of caverns one of the best in Texas—we highly recommend it (http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com). Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, a wildlife park you can drive through, is adjacent to the caverns. http://wildliferanchtexas.com.

With walls of deep, rich color and brilliant crystalline formations, the Caverns of Sonora (near Sonora) have been called some of the most beautiful caves in the U.S.—after our last visit, we'd find it difficult to disagree—plus there's a free campground (http://www.cavernsofsonora.com). Inner Space Cavern, a limestone cave in Georgetown, was discovered in the early 1960s when the state was building Interstate 35. It's definitely worth seeing, even if the sound-and-light presentation is a bit touristy (http://www.innerspace.com).

Finally, Wonder Cave (in San Marcos), a cave formed by an earthquake millions of years ago, is part of the Wonder World tourist attraction, with a presentation somewhat similar to that of Georgetown's Inner Space. Because it was formed by an earthquake, it is not a "living" cave, so don't expect to see grand formations.