Cascade Caverns outside of Boerne takes visitors on a journey following a fault line more than 100 feet underground.
Of the seven show caves in Texas, this one feels the least disturbed by human hands even though it is the oldest commercial cave in the state. The cave is 95% alive, and each drop of mineral-rich water contributes to its continued growth.
After descending into a massive sinkhole, novice spelunkers enter a gap in the side of the rock wall. The air temperature drops to a damp, but comfortable, 63 degrees. At the beginning of the tour, our guide Christina gave everyone their own flashlight. That’s good because there are very few lights in the cave.
The walls along the narrow trail are lined with fanciful formations that look like they are made of warm wax. In places the ceiling sparkles in the light with hundreds of baby stalactites dripping water that took around seven years to seep from the surface. The drips are called “cave kisses” and are said to bestow good luck on their targets.
Along the way, Christina pointed out rare salamanders that live in the pools of water along the trail. On the ceiling were tricolored bats. One of the smallest species of bats in Texas, they live in the cave year-round.
After about a half-mile of walking through the dark tunnel we entered the Cathedral Room. Large round domes carved by rushing water created the 50-foot ceiling. The sculpted walls reflect off the pond fed by a waterfall that gave the cave its name.
Cascade Caverns was used by Native Americans before German farmers moved into the area around Boerne. Cascade Caverns opened commercially in 1932. The hourlong tours cost $20 for adults and $15 for children and begin on the hour between 9am and 5pm. The Caverns are about two hours from Austin.
1,829th in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere. Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/day-trips.
This article appears in October 23 • 2026.
