Nestled in the northern portion of the Texas Hill Country sits a wonder rich in geological, human, and Texas history; Longhorn Cavern State Park. Excavated and created during the 1930’s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the park holds an 11 mile-long flow cave environment created over many years by the dissolving and cutting action of water on the limestone bedrock.
Entry to Longhorn Cavern State Park is free, but if you really want an experience unlike any other, take one of the many guided tours offered. Be sure and call ahead to reserve your spot on any of the following tours offered. Walking Tour: This tour allows you to explore the cave and learn about its rich history. During this 1.5 mile trip visitors will experience Crystal City, Queens’s Watchdog, Indian Council Room, Underground Ballroom, and the Hall of Marble.
Wild Cave Tour: This tour will take guests on a crawling adventure through an undeveloped part of the cave. This is a primitive adventure that is more physically demanding than the other tours offered. Visitors are asked to bring their own gear which includes knee and elbow pads, helmet, lights and gloves. During this 2-3 hour experience visitors will be crawling through tight spaces so it is recommended to dress accordingly.
Geology Program: This is an in-depth, group learning experience for those visitors 13 and older. The short program includes a geologist-led lecture and a cave tour, while the long program adds guided field exploration.
Photography Tour: On this guided tour you will be able to capture the beauty of everything the cavern has to offer. Visitors can explore the cavern at their own pace and are welcome to bring any photography equipment that can be carried. These tours usually last 3 hours.
The grounds are open daily from 8:00 AM to dusk. Entry to the park is free, but cave access is a paid guided tour. This trip is a must when traveling in the Texas Hill Country. Not only does the park have its feature as the cavern, there are also great picnic grounds and an observation tower that offers beautiful views of the Hill Country.
While at Longhorn Cavern, be sure to visit their sister park, Inks Lake State Park, which is just a few miles down the road.
