Caverns in Texas – 12 Best Caves & Cave Tours Near You from Houston
Looking for caverns in Texas? Are you from Houston but want to explore the best caves in Texas? Luckily, there’s a great mix of both!
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 cavern that everyone should visit at least once!
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 on Waterfalls in Texas, Camping in Texas, 20 Best Road Trips from Houston, and 20 Swimming Holes in Texas!
Caverns in Texas – Caves Texas
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,” 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 Houston: ~2 hours & 45 minutes
Longhorn Caverns State Park
This is one of the Texas caverns that are known for its large, open chambers and its colorful formations. Looking for “caves near me?” 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 Houston: ~3 hours & 33 minutes
Natural Bridge Caverns
Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Natural Bridge Caverns
Looking for “cave tours 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 Houston: ~3 hours & 2 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 Houston: ~3 hours & 42 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 or spots that show up in “crystal caves near me”. These Texas caverns are a top result for “salt caves near me” which also have a variety of wildlife, including bats, cave crickets, and cave salamanders.
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 Houston: ~5 hours & 34 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 also home to a variety of wildlife, including bats, cave crickets, and cave salamanders.
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 Houston: ~3 hours & 25 minutes
Caverns in Texas – Best Caves
Colorado Bend State Park
Caverns in Texas | Image Credit: Colorado Bend State Park
This park has some of the best Texas caves around but is also a popular spot for camping, hiking, and fishing. If you’re looking for “cavern tours near me,” head here!
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 Houston: ~4 hours & 1 minute
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 is 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 Houston: ~2 hours & 40 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 want the best ‘cave tour near me,” Kickapoo cavern is a spot you should check ou!
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 Houston: ~5 hours & 25 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 cave in Texas is a must-see.
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 Houston: ~4 hours & 58 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.
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 Houston: ~2 hours & 58 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.
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 Houston: ~4 hours & 9 minutes
Looking for Caverns in other cities? Check out these articles – Caverns San Antonio and Caverns Austin.
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