Discovery and Development

Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest show cave in Texas, was discovered in 1960 by a group of explorers from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. Lured by the 60-foot limestone rock span, which formed a natural bridge over a large sinkhole, they theorized that there was a large underground passage. On their fourth expedition one explorer felt a draft of air indicating the presence of another room. After clearing the rubble they found a sixty-foot crawlway descending into huge underground rooms with massive columns and delicate crystalline formations. After three years, the owners decided to develop a portion of the cavern system for tours. During development arrowheads, spear points and a human leg bone were unearthed. Many artifacts over 5,000 years old were discovered. The caverns opened on July 3, 1964.

The caverns were developed with safety for the visitor and preservation of the cavern as the two foremost goals. Visitors tour along textured well-lighted concrete walkways with conveniently located stainless steel handrails. Superb lighting conditions enhance the beauty of the cave. A back-up generator provides emergency power in case of power failure. Officially dedicated by then Texas Governor Jon Connally on August 5, 1964, he described them as a "jewel in the crown of Texas’ tourist attractions." The caverns were dedicated as a State Historical Site in 1967 by Texas Lt. Governor Ben Barnes and in 1971 Natural Bridge Caverns was designated a Registered National Natural Landmark by the Department of the Interior.

The Cave Experience

Located in the beautiful scenic Texas Hill Country, the caverns began forming around 12 million years ago. Visitors are treated to a fascinating trip back in time. A constant 70-degree temperature awaits the visitor. A 75-minute tour takes the visitor through formations with imaginative names like "Fried Eggs", "The Madonna", "Chandelier", "King’s Throne", "Watchtower" and "Sherwood Forest". As water passes through the cavern, the calcite precipitates and forms the beautiful speleothems (formations) that are seen on the tour. It takes approximately 100 years for a formation to grow one cubic inch.

The park is open every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day, throughout the year from 9am to 6pm. Tours leave every thirty minutes throughout the day until 4pm.

A new attraction "The Natural Bridge Mining Company Sluice" is a unique and fun experience for the whole family. As water runs through troughs called "sluices", children can "pan" for treasure to keep and learning about precious gems and minerals. Bags of mining rough are available for purchase.

The New Adventure Tour

The South Cavern at Natural Bridge Caverns is now open for an exciting adventure tour. Guests in jump suits, equipped with hardhats and headlamps, hiking boots and climbing ropes are lowered into a hole of darkness. The 160-foot drop through 22-inch opening transports the guest into a subterranean world getting a taste of what is was like for the original explorers more than 30 years ago. The tour is designed for the active person, and lasting four hours, is an expedition of climbing, rappelling and crawling among the spectacular cave formations. The tour is one mile long and reaches a depth of 230 feet below the surface. Guests should be in good physical condition. The cost is $100 per person to be lowered into the cavern and $75 for those who choose to walk via the steps. Showers, lockers and changing facilities are available.

Contact:

Travis Wuest, Vice President
210-65106101 Fax: 210-651-6144
Email: twuest@naturalbridgecaverns.com