Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio 

Stunning formations that rise more than 40 feet. Delicate soda straws drip from the ceilings. Colorful cave ribbons and drapes hang on the walls. Massive chandeliers challenge your imagination. Natural Bridge Caverns has two distinct natural caverns, each with a phenomenal collection of the most beautiful stalactites, stalagmites, and formations that you’ll find in Texas – or anywhere! It’s the most actively explored cavern in the state and new discoveries are still being made today. For guests, the adventure and discovery continue above ground with a ropes and zip rail challenge course, maze, and more.

Texas’ largest cavern system open to the public, formed over tens of thousands of years and is considered a must visit when you’re in the San Antonio area. It’s been the number one paid attraction for travelers for years.

There are five distinct tours available at the caverns. The two most popular are the Discovery Tour and the Hidden Wonders Tour. Both hour-long tours are led by knowledgeable guides deep into the cavern where spectacular sights are around every bend of the trail, expertly lit by a multi-million-dollar lighting system. The similarities end there, though. The Discovery Tour showcases the largest rooms in the cavern system, with legendary columns like the Watch Tower and the complex Mount of the Landlord in the Castle of the White Giants. The recently expanded Hidden Wonders Tour takes you into a part of the cave system that never had an opening to the surface. Guests are treated to the cavern system’s most delicate formations including 6-foot-long soda straws, brilliant cave bacon, and the beautiful ballroom, Texas’ deepest event venue. The tour ends with a sound and light show designed to paint an artistic vision of the history of the cavern system itself. A welcome bonus at the end is the B.A.T. – a belt assisted transport ride back to the surface.

For those looking for more adventurous exploration, three tours deliver: The Lantern Tour, The Discovery Adventure Tour, and the St. Mary’s Adventure Tour.

The first tour of the morning is the Lantern Tour through the Discovery Cavern. The lights are left off in the cavern and you and your fellow guests are led through the cavern by the light of handheld lamps, experiencing the cavern much like early explorers did.

For those with a desire for big adventure, the two adventure caving tours, the Discovery Adventure Tour and St. Mary’s Adventure Tour, both multi-hour caving experiences through the wild side of the cave are perfect. During these tours you’ll leave the public trails and lights to follow experienced guides through the muddy, undeveloped part of the cave. The Discovery Adventure Tour includes hiking, climbing, sliding and squeezing through narrow sections with the light of your headlamp. It’s a great introduction to the world of cave exploration. If you’d like to experience caving with a little less of a tight squeeze, sign up for the St. Mary’s Adventure Tour. This caving adventure teaches you how to get through obstacles using ropes to traverse and rappel as well as a climbing assist. Better yet, sign up for both with the ultimate: The Adventure Combo Tour and have a full day of adventure!

Above ground the opportunity for adventure is as big as the Texas sky thanks to our Twisted Trails Adventure Course. You’ll have your choice between three distinct activities – climbing, zipping and balancing. Fly through the sky on seven different zip rails feeling the excitement while taking in the view from up above.  The ropes course has 50 obstacles on four levels of the six-story tall Twisted Trails course including weave walks, rope bridges, curved zip rails, and more.  Challenge your group to a friendly competition on the Twisted Trails Climbing course. It is a blast with multiple vertical climbing structures including a column of spheres, twisted rectangles, and two different rock-climbing walls. Now for our little adventurers, the Twisted Trails Tykes course is designed for kids who are four feet tall and under with platforms less than three feet off the ground. Kids love finding their balance and overcoming challenges. There’s room for parents or grandparents to lend courage to children as they traverse the course.

The fun continues at the Natural Bridge Mining Company where kids of all ages uncover fossils and gems like amethyst, rose quartz, and emeralds in a mining trough. As the water runs through, guests pour a bag of mining rough into a screened tray, then dip the tray in the water to wash away the sand and discover the treasure. With a bag full of gems and fossils to identify and collect, gem mining is everyone’s favorite take-home souvenir. Right next door is another favorite - the AMAZEn’ Ranch Roundup, a 5,000-square-foot outdoor maze with three towers and a bridge to help you find your way.  

Big days lead to big appetites and Natural Bridge Caverns has dramatically expanded the menu with new and delectable choices. With brisket smoked on site and new gluten free options, there’s something for everyone. Try the brisket grilled cheese or our amazing fresh baked pizza. Also don’t miss the brisket nachos! For dessert you can choose from our candy shop, hand-dipped Blue Bell Ice Cream, homemade fudge and cookies and so much more! We also serve cold beer, wine, and other tasty treats. 

You’ll want to save some energy for shopping, because we’ve got treasures you won’t find anywhere else. Beyond the usual souvenirs, our Trading Post is a rockhound’s paradise with gorgeous jewelry, geodes, polished stones and more as well as original art and hand-crafted items from local artisans.

Listed in the National Register of Historic Places and designated as a state historical site and a National Natural Landmark, there’s nowhere like Natural Bridge Caverns. With its astounding beauty and the number of ways to experience it, this San Antonio attraction is a must-see during your visit to the Alamo City and the Texas Hill Country.