Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio, Texas
Like everything in Texas, the Natural Bridge Caverns are big. In fact, they are the largest known caverns in the state. Discovered near San Antonio in 1960, the Natural Bridge Caverns’ name is taken from the 60-foot (18-meter) natural limestone slab bridge that spans the entrance. During excavations, artifacts dating back to 5000 BC were unearthed. While the caverns are still being explored today, visitors can enjoy adventures ranging from underground cave tours to an enormous outdoor maze.
Natural Bridge Caverns offers visitors many experiences, the most popular being a 75-minute walking tour that travels 180 feet (55 meters) underground through the hallways and various speleothems (formations) made by mineral deposits. Aboveground activities include ziplines, a “canopy explorer course,” and the opportunity to mine for gems, minerals, and fossils.
The temperature inside the cave is a constant 70°F (21°C), and the humidity is steady at 99 percent. Consider bringing a light jacket, as it can feel chilly underground.
Four caverns tours are available: the standard Discovery Tour, the Hidden Passages Tour, the Lantern Tour, and the Adventure Tour.
The on-site maze is sure to entertain the whole family.
While the visitor center is wheelchair-accessible, the caverns are not due to narrow, steep passageways.
Natural Bridge Caverns is about a 30-minute drive north of downtown San Antonio, eight miles (13 kilometers) west of I-35.
The Natural Bridge Caverns are open year-round except on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. During the holiday season, thousands of twinkling lights illuminate select passages, performers sing Christmas carols, and there’s a fully decorated Christmas village and “reindeer maze.”
Just a few miles from Natural Bridge Caverns lies another amazing natural wonder: The evening emergence of one the world’s largest bat colonies. The Bracken Bat Flight consists of millions of free-tailed bats spiraling out of Bracken Cave and taking to the skies on their nightly hunt for insects. Some tours include access to both sites.
A guided walking tour through the Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio, among the largest commercial caves in Texas, takes about 75 minutes. On the tour, visitors head about 180 feet (55 meters) underground and walk about half a mile (.8 kilometers) through the cave.
No, it's seldom cold in the Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio. No matter the temperature outside, the caverns stay at a remarkably constant 70°F (21°C) year-round. The relative humidity of 99 percent makes it feel warmer, with visitors often comfortable wearing shorts and a T-shirt inside.
Yes, the Natural Bridge Caverns are among the top places to take kids in San Antonio. The Discovery Tour takes them 180 feet (55 meters) underground, while the Adventure Tour, available to kids 13 and older, is an authentic spelunking experience.
No, you don't need reservations for most tours at Natural Bridge Caverns. However, you need them for large groups and the Adventure Tour, a 3–4 hour spelunking experience with cave gear. Also, popular days can fill up months in advance—book a tour online to reserve your time and price.
The weather won't affect your visit inside the Natural Bridge Caverns—they stay dry and a constant 70°F (21°C) year-round (and feel warmer due to the humidity)—tours depart rain or shine. Above ground, the Twisted Trails and AMAZEn’ Ranch Roundup can close during rain. The Picnic areas, however, are covered.
Only service animals that meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards are allowed inside the caverns on guided tours. Leashed pets under their human's control are welcome throughout the park grounds. Visitors with pets can also leave well-behaved pets in the provided outdoor crates for free while touring the caverns.
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