easy
1 hour
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels; walking on moderate cave pathways.
Discover the mysteries of Cascade Caverns, Texas’s first private touring cave near Boerne. This hour-long guided tour reveals breathtaking rock formations and rich indigenous history—an ideal educational adventure for school groups.
Call to Book • For all ages! • One Hour Tour • Starting at $14.95 • Minimum of 14 people
Embark on a captivating journey through Cascade Caverns®, Texas's first private-touring cave, celebrating 90 years of exploration! Discover stunning formations like the Diamond Ceiling and Giant Molar, while learning about the rich history from the Lipan Apache people to the 1840s rediscovery. Experience nature's artistry in this breathtaking underground wonderland.
1 hour
The Lipan Apache people discovered Cascade Caverns® in the 1700s. They left behind artifacts which are still visible today. In the 1840s, Kendall County youth rediscovered the cave and carved their initials into stalactites in the first room. Cascade Caverns® became the first “private-touring” cave in Texas back in the 1870’s, and we opened to the public in 1932. We continue touring the Caverns today!
Over 100 million years ago, the Caverns were an ocean bed: time and receded water left behind a trove of shells that are visible today. Many of the cave’s spectacular features grew over millions of years as water mixed with Calcite to form a wonderland of dripstone and flowstone formations known as stalactites, stalagmites and draperies. The Cavern’s formations are 95% active due to the continued flow of water.
Some of the more notable formations in the cave are: 1) Diamond Ceiling; 2) Hanging Tobacco; 3) Giant Molar; 4) Peep in the Deep; 5) Solution Domes; 6) The Skull; 7) Travertine Dam; and 8) Twin Sisters.
Five rooms comprise the 1,100 feet of the Caverns’ upper level. The First Room is the coldest room in the cave . The Lake Room is the primary home of the cascade Caverns Salamander. The Imagination Room contains the Soda Straw Rainforest, Diamond Ceiling and Hanging Tobacco. Storm Canyon is the most dramatic room in the cave and it leads to the spectacular Cathedral Room with its 50+ foot ceiling and otherworldly solution domes which were formed by aquatic vortices over millions of years. The domes are so symmetrical that they almost look man-made.
We do not offer same day reservations for tours, however tickets can be purchased in person on a first come first serve basis. In addition, we cannot take single person tours. If you are visiting solo, we encourage you to book a tour others have already signed up for.
Tours require a minimum of 14 people; secure your spot early especially for school outings.
The cave trails can be slippery; closed-toe shoes with grip are recommended.
The cave maintains a cool temperature year-round—dress in layers for comfort.
Stay with your group and listen carefully to learn about the unique formations safely.
Cascade Caverns has been a public show cave since its rediscovery in the 1840s and was the first private touring cave in Texas.
Tours are carefully managed to minimize impact on fragile cave formations and wildlife, including bat populations.
Provides traction on uneven, sometimes slippery cave floors.
Maintains comfort in the cave’s stable cool temperatures.
Staying hydrated is important before and after the tour.
summer specific
Handy for carrying personal items during the visit.