Cascade Caverns
After falling in love with Longhorn Caverns, we decided to make it a tradition to explore a new cave in the Hill Country every year. Because what’s better than hiking? Hiking underground. This year’s pick: Cascade Caverns, located in Boerne (pronounced "Bernie," because Texas).
What Makes Cascade Caverns Special?
Cascade Caverns is a living cave, meaning its formations—stalactites, stalagmites, and all those other dramatic rock shapes—are still actively growing. Water slowly drips from the ceiling, depositing minerals and shaping the cave over time. And speaking of water, this cave has an underground waterfall.
It’s also home to the Cascade Caverns Salamander, which sounds like a mythical creature but is very real. These rare little amphibians live exclusively in the dark, water-filled parts of the cave and having no eyes, are completely blind. Honestly, if you’re going to evolve to live in total darkness, being a cave-dwelling salamander isn’t a bad way to go.
The Tour Experience
The guided tour lasts about an hour and runs several times a day. It’s the perfect mix of learning about the cave’s history and formations while soaking in the natural beauty. Our guide was super knowledgeable, and the pace was relaxed enough that you could really take it all in.
The Adorable Bats
Without a doubt, our favorite part of the tour was the tri-colored bats. These little guys are adorably chubby and fuzzy, usually hanging out alone or in pairs. Once we learned how to spot them, we realized they were everywhere.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get many good pictures (bats don’t exactly pose for photos), but if you visit, definitely take the time to look up and spot these little cave-dwellers.
Hello, little guy (or gal)!
Staying at Cascade Caverns
One of the perks of visiting was staying right on site at the Cascade Caverns RV park. This made it super easy to roll out of bed, grab coffee, and head straight to the cave tour. The campground was quiet and had a couple of short hiking trails, which made for a nice evening walk after spending time underground.
Final Thoughts: Worth the Visit?
Absolutely. While Cascade Caverns might not have the massive chambers of some other caves, it has a great tour, a cool underground waterfall, and some seriously cute bats. It’s also a great way to experience a living cave—a reminder that these formations are still changing and growing, even as we stand there in awe.
We’re already thinking about next year’s cave adventure. Have a favorite Texas cave we should check out? Let us know!
