Longhorn Cavern State Park

Prior to being owned by the State of Texas, this was ranchland. Historical accounts have the cave being used for a variety of purposes: including as a shelter and gathering place for Comanche Indians, gunpowder manufacturing facility by Confederate troops during the Civil War, hideout for outlaws, nuclear fallout shelter, and dance hall / restaurant. Yes... there was once an active dinner club underground inside Longhorn Cavern!

Stories report that tourists began visiting this cave as early as the 1870s.

In the early development stage of what would become the Texas State Parks system, the State of Texas bought the property in the early 1930s. In fact, along with Goose Island and Palo Duro Canyon, Longhorn Cavern appears to be one of the first land purchases of the young state park program. The park opened without improvements on Thanksgiving Day 1932.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC Company 854) arrived here in 1934. They had just completed their work at another Texas Hill Country park, Blanco State Park. For the next eight years, the CCC worked clearing over 2.5 tons of debris, silt and bat droppings from the cave by hand, building Park Road 4, and designing and constructing trails. They installed 2 miles of lighting within the cave, constructed the new public entrance, installed a water system and drainage, and built the picnic area as well as several buildings using the stone and materials available right here on the property.

Park grounds including the hiking trails and picnic areas are free to visit. There is no fee to park.

Cave access is by guided, ticketed tour only. Tickets may be purchased online or at the Visitor Center.

At the time of our visit, Texas State Parks Pass owners receive a discount on cave tours and merchandise.

Cave temperatures remain at a constant 68 degrees. We were glad we brought jackets.

The cave walking tour takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. Be sure to allow additional time for exploring the grounds and historic buildings. This is a great park to spend the day wandering and having a picnic after your cave tour.

As with any cave tour, be sure to wear close-toed shoes with plenty of stability and grip.

There is not a lot of up and down on the path inside the cave, however, there are some areas that require walking while bending over for short stints. And access to the cave entrance requires traveling a set of historic stairs.

Filming was not allowed inside the cave, but be sure to take your camera for pictures. It's absolutely amazing down there!