Texas has no shortage of natural beauty, but of its most surprising treasures can’t be seen even with a birds’ eye view. You’ll have to head underground to admire the majesty of Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest commercial cave in the state.
Explore Under the Surface
There are several different tours that each offer a unique experience as you traverse the natural wonders under the earth. Many first-time visitors opt for the Discovery Tour, a breathtaking excursion 180 feet below the surface. An insightful guide will lead you to a variety of formations like chandeliers, stalagmites, and flowstone, still slowly forming as they have done for ages. On the Hidden Passages Tour, you’ll enter tremendous spaces filled with more unique formations like cave ribbon, “soda straw” stalactites, and bulbous formations known as “turnip shields.” Before the tour is over, your guide will shut off all the lights so that you can experience the total darkness of the cavern.
You can package the Hidden Passages and Discovery experiences in the Combo Tour, and you may also explore the cavern by lamplight in the Lantern Tour. For this experience, guests illuminate their way with handheld lanterns, watching the formations emerge from the darkness just as the cavern’s discoverers did years ago. For a one-of-a-kind excursion, you may embark on the Adventure Tour. Trained staff will accompany you into the most challenging cavern routes, including climbing and rappelling areas completely free of concrete walkways and other commercial features.
Fun Above Ground
In addition to the main attraction, the cavern grounds also feature a variety of outdoor amusement on the surface. You can navigate through a 5,000 square-foot maze, walk the high beams of the four-story tall canopy ropes course, or fly through the air on the canopy zipline. Younger guests can also get in on the balancing act with the Sky Tykes rope course.
Make Your Plans
The cavern is open daily at 9 a.m. Tours depart throughout the day, and you can order your tickets in advance HERE. If you work up an appetite after exploring the caverns or canopy, you can stop by the Cavern Café or Big Daddy’s Sweets & Treats. Keep in mind that the subterranean space remains at 70 degrees, and wear shoes suitable for a hike. The cavern is located at 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266.
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While in San Antonio
If you’d like to continue exploring after your trip, we’d love to help you see the open road in a whole new light at Red McCombs Superior Hyundai. Whenever you’re ready for a new vehicle, you can explore our lineup and come see us for a test drive.
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