Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Natural Bridge Caverns is one of Texas’ largest underground attractions that is best explored on a guided tour. The Discovery Tour takes you through the most spectacular part of the caverns 180 feet underground, whilst the Hidden Passages tour shows you a system of huge underground chambers—or experience both on a combo tour. Otherwise, navigate the outdoor Twisted Trails rope course, find your way out of the AMAZEn’ Ranch Roundup maze, and pan for fossils at the Mining Company. Don’t miss the festivities during the holidays, which include the light-ups and a cozy campfire. For additional discounts, book your tickets online in advance. – Tripadvisor
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- digitalrocCalgary, Canada2,141 contributionsCave TourI was traveling through Texas, from Austin to San Antonio, and I had planned a visit to the Natural Bridge Caverns just a day before I arrived. My ticket admission was $30 USD for the Discovery Tour and the duration of the tour was 70 minutes. The tour group was around a dozen people, and a tour guide. The tour was informative, I enjoyed the tour and glad that I did this.Visited October 2023Travelled soloWritten 23 November 2023
- Daydream184396390461 contributionGift Shop HelpBlack Friday is a busy day. Yes, the cave system is great, but so is the service in the gift area. When asked about souvenir magnets, the lady working (Michelle?) actually took me to them. She was not just helpful on a day when most store clerks would just point, she was very nice and even checked back with me to see if I was having success. Just was impressed with the personal service on a busy day.Visited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 November 2023
- Irishlass54The Villages, Florida194 contributionsFabulous Caverns with Excellent TourI've been to lots of caverns and this was among the best. I'd never been in a cavern with warm temperature of 70 degrees before. Usually caverns are in the 40s. The lighting inside and well marked trails with handrails to assist on the uphill and downhill sections made touring much easier. There is an elevator that takes you to the lowest level and then you gradually climb back out. The formations were spectacular and I had never seen a "curtain" before. The outside area has playground, picnic area, and fun selfie attractions for photos. Very enjoyable.Visited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten 11 December 2023
- Ankur SAustin, Texas18 contributionsNature's amazingVery good place to visit if you are a nature enthusiast as an adult. Kids are going to love it, not just the caverns but the spiral activity just outside the caverns but within the campus. I took the combo tour for my family, incl. 2 kids. I would suggest to take the Hidden Wonders tour first and then, go for Discovery tour as the latter is strenuous (need a a lot of walking up the ramp towards the end). The hidden wonders tour has a BAT (batter assisted walk) that will take you to it's exit, I wonder why Discovery tour does not have BAT. The Discovery tour has more scenic spots but the hidden wonders tour has a light show! A good day to spend and eat around if you take the combo tour. A genuine tip: there is a Wildlife ranch also besides the caverns, so if you take one of the two caverns tour and combine with the wildlife ranch tour, it will be an awesome day I believe (I did not know about the wildlife ranch till I visited the caverns :( , so it's the best tip I can give you :) Go and have a blast, book tickets in advance online, will save you 6-7 $ per ticket.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 29 December 2023
- Stephanie R3 contributionsIncredibleIt is so much fun, for all ages. The cave is well lit and tour guide was excellent. I did the basic “discovery” tour, and it was amazing. And it is not just cave, but there is cool zip lining tower that I definitely want to come back for, if an adult is allowed. I did not see any bats. I recommend wearing comfortable and non-slippery shoes. Ground/walkaway is very clean and nice sized parking.Visited December 2023Travelled soloWritten 30 December 2023
- Meghan MHouston, Texas70 contributionsGreat Experience and I hope to go back!I can't believe I lived in Texas nearly 20 years before making this trip! We did both the Discovery Tour and the Hidden Wonders Tour. Both were excellent and our guides were interesting and well informed. My 9 year old was engaged throughout the entire first tour and much of the second. While 2 tours made the day a little long for him, I don't think I would have wanted to miss either one. A great experience and I hope to go back! The only less than stellar part of the day was the Cafe, it was pretty much exactly what I expected so it wasn't really a disappointment. It just seems they're missing an opportunity by not having a great restaurant on site. Next time we'll pack something or stop on the way which time didn't allow for this visit.Visited December 2023Travelled with familyWritten 4 January 2024
- Phyllis kLouisiana24 contributionsadventure toursThe adventure tours are amazing! We had previously done both the regular tours and decided to try the adventure ones. They are longer and more physical, but well worth the effort and money. Our guide, Kiana, was fantastic. Tyler was in tour guide training and was also very nice and knowledgeable. We loved both tours. The discovery adventure tour was more muddy and physically challenging, but awesome. Kiana was impressive with her instructions on how to navigate the obstacles within the caves, plus she can answer any question on the caves.Visited December 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 6 January 2024
- Sky B4 contributionsWho knew rocks could be so interesting!Visiting the area from Washington state, and I was told we had to check out the caves. The history and the information on how everything was formed was amazing. I loved hearing about the different rock formations and how they all got their different color and look. I loved hearing our guide Noah talk about his favorite formation the porcupine Halicite (sp). Thanks Noah for our awesome private group tour. Do yourself a favor and check it out!Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 26 January 2024
- Sheila ZKaty, Texas22 contributionsSuccessful Corporate EventI will say this was the most flawless evening! I really appreciated the servers asking the attendees for their allergen requirements prior to serving. I felt relaxed knowing they were taken care of. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food and drinks. Adding the games with drinks and apps made for a nice transition before dinner and allowed for relaxation and fun. The feed back from the ropes course was all good. The cavern tour was beautiful, and our guide was informed and courteous. This was a wonderful experience and so glad we decided on this for our team building event!Visited March 2024Travelled on businessWritten 13 March 2024
- sttdiverDraper, Utah310 contributionsImpressive cavernsWe were really impressed with the cavern visit. We did the popular "Discovery" trip. We got there for the 9:10 tour and that worked out well because the crowds were much larger when we were done. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the caverns and their history, which made it interesting. There were so many different types of formations to see! Well worth it. The pathway and extensive lighting system they have put in really completes the experience. The walk was described as strenuous but anyone who can walk a couple of miles should be fine. The pathway was steep and wet at times, so definitely bring good footwear.Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 11 April 2024
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4.5
4,053 reviews
Excellent
2,603
Very good
1,135
Average
234
Poor
58
Terrible
23
Mark D
Weatherford, TX631 contributions
June 2021
This spotless facility is very well run and well worth the trip. They offer a variety of entertainment packages, and tickets are cheaper if purchased ahead of time. They do offer military discounts, but you may need assistance getting it if buying tickets online. Plenty of free parking. Tickets are for specific times and if you're late, you may be out of luck. The trip through the caverns is well worthwhile. Make sure you wear comfortable rubber-souled shoes. The cavern tours are open regardless of weather. The outside entertainment will likely shut down for inclement weather. Easy to get there from Highway 281 or I35. Some fun things in the gift shop.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julia A
Wesley Chapel, FL14 contributions
Sept 2020 • Couples
My husband and I are staying in San Antonio from Florida on vacation. we attended an early morning tour this morning with only my husband and myself alongside another couple which was perfect so we were able to take tons of pictures and hear the tour guide clearly and move at a steady pace without being crowded. The cave views were stunning and we learned so much. Our Tour guide Jonathan was extremely professional and patient with all of our questions. He did a great job of explaining all of the formations and history about the cave. I highly recommend people in San Antonio to book a tour and request Johnathan. We had a Great time!
Written 3 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
volcanogirl
Houston, TX16,217 contributions
Apr 2021
We were visiting San Antonio during a rainy week, so we decided to visit Natural Bridge Caverns which was about 35 miles away. We bought our tickets ahead of time online and saved a bit of money by doing that. We chose the Discovery Tour because it seemed to focus on the larger formations that we were interested in seeing. Parking is easy and plentiful on site. When we arrived they sent us to the ticket office to have our tickets scanned so we ended up standing in line despite purchasing ahead of time. After you purchase tickets or have them scanned, they have you wait in a nice, covered pavilion until your guide joins you at your appointed time. We had Jarod as our guide, and he was fantastic - fun, informative, interesting; we thought he did a great job. The caverns were beautiful with amazing formations, some of them quite large, and there were gorgeous underground ice blue lakes as well. We learned all about the history of the caves, how they were formed, and how they were discovered. The entire tour took a little over an hour and was fairly easy with a few steep areas, particularly toward the end, some stairs, etc. It was wet and slick inside so be sure to wear closed toe shoes with good traction. There were handrails and paved paths throughout, and everyone was required to wear a mask. There was never any hurry to be in a rush, and our guide told everyone just to take their time and go at their own pace. It's really impressive the way they were able to develop the inside of the caverns while maintaining their natural beauty. The only thing we weren't fans of is that they had everyone remove their masks inside the cave to have photos taken; photos were then available for purchase. Probably not great for people who aren't immunized yet. In addition to the caves, there are a lot of onsite activities like zipining, a ropes course, panning for gems, little shops, and a snack bar. We loved spending the day here and thought it was the perfect rainy day activity.
Written 30 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curtis S
Kingsport, TN2,615 contributions
Feb 2022
About 30 miles outside of San Antonio, the caverns are in the middle of a small amusement park, obviously built to separate you from a few more dollars after visiting the caverns (a business has to make money to survive). It is also near the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (which we didn’t visit). The entry roads to both parks were multiple lanes, suggesting that these attractions can be mighty crowded in high season. We went in February, which is not high season (thankfully). We had booked tickets for the standard tour online, and those vouchers need to be exchanged for real tickets when you get there. The tours go every half hour. The caverns are pretty impressive. We have been to many such sites during our travels, and these caverns are in the top 10. A witty (or less than witty…depending on the luck of the draw) employee guides you through the caverns turning lights on/off for effect. Several rooms in these caverns are enormous, and the rock formations are very cool. The tour is mildly strenuous in some parts. People with dodgy hearts or bad legs should probably pass on this. There is no wheelchair access. Tour takes about 30 minutes, and is worth the visit. The rest of the park has attractions that cater to the kids. Force them to learn a little science, then they can go on the rope challenge. Recommended
Written 17 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelissaWP
Shorewood, IL508 contributions
Mar 2022
We booked a tour in advance on Groupon to save some money. Our tour was for a Tuesday at 1:00. We arrived at 12:00 because we miscalculated how long it would take us to check out of our hotel that morning and how long it would take to get there. Upon arriving, I detected the sound of Christian rock music blaring from the speakers outside as we walked in (later, our tour guide mentioned that the place is owned by a Christian group or family or something...). I walked up to the counter, presented my Groupon, and asked if we could get in on an earlier tour at 12:20 (they run every 20 minutes). I was told "no, the time is the time." I asked again because I didn't understand what the big deal was. She said no again. Well, wow, that is NOT very Christian now is it?! The craziest thing is that the 12:20 group that we saw leaving for the tour was VERY small so we could've easily fit in whereas our 1:00 group was somewhat large. So, it definitely made no sense at all. We then had to sit around an wait for an entire hour....literally, we just sat outside in the shade doing absolutely nothing. This was aggravating and already set our mood for the day. In fact, had it not been for that employee's lack of customer service and refusing to accommodate a polite request for no apparent reason, I would have rated this experience as "very good" but they get one star/point less for that. Our tour guide was extremely young (maybe college age if that) and seemed somewhat inexperienced because there were some basic questions for which he did not know the answer. Otherwise, overall, the caverns tour itself and the sights we saw were cool. We are glad we did it but wish we had a better customer service experience and more experienced tour guide.
Written 21 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frankg_2011
Chino Hills, CA132 contributions
July 2022
I found the Natural Bridge Caverns while researching for things to do in San Antonio while on a business trip for two weeks, and it was totally worth it. The weather in the Texas hill country was a bit cooler than San Antonio city center, but the 99% humidity made it a damp experience. The stalactites, stalagmite, and flowstone formations were beautiful, more so in the Discovery Passages tour than the Hidden Passages. But since you're there already, might as well sign up for both. It's best to purchase your ticket(s) ahead of time as the prices can fluctuate and it does get more crowded later in the day. Be aware that there are a lot of stairs and inclines (deepest section is 180 feet down) and surface is wet and slippery so good footwear is recommended.
Written 18 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly D
San Antonio, TX46 contributions
Oct 2022
This is a nice place to visit on a weekend with your family. Couple of recommendations though, if you're military you can get a discount, but only when buying tickets on site. Also, it's HOT in the caverns and it's challenging walking. Wear good gripping shoes, and if it's cold outside, dress in layers. You want to be in t-shirts and shorts for this workout. We were so hot and sweaty by the end of it that we drank two bottles of water instantly and could've kept going! The price for this is kind of high considering you are doing an awful lot of work yourself to see the inside. There's a path but after a good rain it's got water nonstop running down it and it becomes very slippery. You are encouraged to use the hand rails but there's not one hand sanitizer station anywhere. If you aren't in great shape, this is not the type of activity you want to be doing anyway. Also, kids just run all over and it seems their parents just let them even though they are tripping adults who are trying to hang on to keep from slipping. This may be an assessment on parenting these days, but it is a real concern especially for those with mobility issues and no employee tells the parents to make their kids stop so they are basically a constant tripping hazard. This would be an awesome experience if they had installed electric train cars to pull people through while we listened to the guide. Worrying about where you're walking when it's slick and dark doesn't leave a lot of opportunities to look around at the amazing formations in this cave. This would also prevent the kids from running around under elderly people's feet. There's plenty more to do outside after viewing the caverns and for that reason I think this was definitely worth it. The gift shops are extremely overpriced but it's nice to look at some of the unique things they have. They have good and snacks and playgrounds for kids. There's also fall type activities going on there now. Overall, it was a great experience and the cavern is obviously taken great care of. Just watch out for those little kids underfoot!
Written 31 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer M
Houston, TX942 contributions
July 2020 • Family
I have been coming here since I was a kid and this place keeps getting better. Know that the general discovery tour requires a lot of walking down steep declines as well as steep trails. With that being said they do warn you of the physicality of the adventure. They also have rails along the trail and benches as well as breaks. The staff is incredibly friendly. With this being during COVID they do require face masks to be worn at all times including in the cave. After the cavern they have a zip line zone, rock climbing, and a huge maze! All of these cost extra but they offer a discount when purchasing in addition to other tickets. These additions are great and very family friendly. They also had a man and woman duo singing family friendly songs and they were pretty good.
Written 5 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LiLoLuvs2Travel
Bossier City, LA62 contributions
June 2021 • Family
We went to Natural Bridge Caverns in 2013 but my son was too young to remember it so we decided to go back since we enjoyed it the first time. We booked the Hidden Passages/Discovery combo tour online. Last time we only went on the Discovery Tour. Just FYI...check to see if your hotel has discount tickets. Our hotel (Homewood Suites North) had discount tickets. Had I known about that, I would've gotten those. I don't know the specifics on those since I had already booked ours & I honestly didn't want to know how much I could've saved.
We arrived 30 minutes before the tour, which they recommend on their website. They have a covered area so you can sit and wait until it's time for the tour. Even though it wasn't hot the day we went, that would be very welcomed on a hot, scorching Texas afternoon. Anyway, we went on the Hidden Passages Tour first. Our tour guide was Sam. He did a great job & was very knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the tour. It's an hour & 15 minutes or so but it didn't feel like it because there's so much to see! The rooms are more narrow and not as open as the Discovery Tour caves were but I'm still glad we went. In between tours we had about 45 minutes to just chill out. We got Icees which were $21 for 4. A little pricey but when you've been in a cave with 99% humidity for over an hour, you'll pay it!
Our tour guide for the Discovery Tour was Jesse. I'll admit, the group I was with was louder than the Hidden Passages Tour group so I couldn't really hear half of what he was saying. A majority of the rooms are absolutely huge! There's a lot to see on this tour as well. Lots of huge formations!! The King's Throne was one of my favorites. This tour is also about an hour & 15 minutes but it doesn't feel like it either.
A warning though, on both tours the floor is constantly wet and there's lots of steps and steep inclines so be very careful!
I honestly can't decide which tour was my favorite. They were both very cool in their own way. If you're trying to decide which tour to go on, I'd suggest going on both if you have slightly older kids. The Discovery Tour would be better with younger kids.
They're in the process of adding on to the Hidden Passages Tour so we might just have to come back a third time!!
We arrived 30 minutes before the tour, which they recommend on their website. They have a covered area so you can sit and wait until it's time for the tour. Even though it wasn't hot the day we went, that would be very welcomed on a hot, scorching Texas afternoon. Anyway, we went on the Hidden Passages Tour first. Our tour guide was Sam. He did a great job & was very knowledgeable. We really enjoyed the tour. It's an hour & 15 minutes or so but it didn't feel like it because there's so much to see! The rooms are more narrow and not as open as the Discovery Tour caves were but I'm still glad we went. In between tours we had about 45 minutes to just chill out. We got Icees which were $21 for 4. A little pricey but when you've been in a cave with 99% humidity for over an hour, you'll pay it!
Our tour guide for the Discovery Tour was Jesse. I'll admit, the group I was with was louder than the Hidden Passages Tour group so I couldn't really hear half of what he was saying. A majority of the rooms are absolutely huge! There's a lot to see on this tour as well. Lots of huge formations!! The King's Throne was one of my favorites. This tour is also about an hour & 15 minutes but it doesn't feel like it either.
A warning though, on both tours the floor is constantly wet and there's lots of steps and steep inclines so be very careful!
I honestly can't decide which tour was my favorite. They were both very cool in their own way. If you're trying to decide which tour to go on, I'd suggest going on both if you have slightly older kids. The Discovery Tour would be better with younger kids.
They're in the process of adding on to the Hidden Passages Tour so we might just have to come back a third time!!
Written 29 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MCooper
Selmer, TN39 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
The caverns are beautiful but I was not too impressed with the ladies working the ticket counter. I visited the cavern website before buying tickets to see what I needed to know since Covid. The website suggested buying tickets ahead of time and secure a time. I did so, as suggested. We arrived an hr early the day of the tour and asked if we could tour the caverns early if the spots wasn’t already filled. They informed us the spots weren’t filled but they would have to charge us more to tour the caverns bc it was before the time we selected. Which I think was crazy! I got my tickets cheaper by buying them in advance online. They are going to make sure they get all their money!
Written 1 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does it cost anything to do? If so how much and where do we get tickets? How long does it take to get through?
Written 26 January 2024
It costs $28-32 US dollars for the Discovery Cave tour depending on the date you visit. This is a 75 minute tour.
There are surface attractions for kids like a maze, climbing structure, etc, but those cost extra. To be honest, I wouldn't do those. Instead, before the cave, because the temps are cooler and the animals will be awake, I would do the attraction right next door which is a drive-thru wildlife safari. It's called Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. It's fantastic, and because you druve thru at your own pace, can take as long or as little as you'd like.
Written 26 January 2024
Are there age requirements? I have a 6 and 8 year old.
Written 5 July 2023
I don't remember seeing any signage about age requirements. As long as your kids can walk for an hour or so (with breaks) and listen to instructions to stay on a path and not touch the walls, they should be fine. There are some steep parts, with handrails, but nothing claustrophobic.
Written 6 July 2023
there are tours of 2 different caverns. Each tour take about a hour. Lots of climbing up & down stairs, so allow for some rest time between tours. If you take both tours. 3.5 - 4 hour minimum
Written 2 November 2021
I think you're asking the wrong question. I think that the question you need to ask is whether it would be advisable to take a one-year-old child into the Caverns. My suggestion is absolutely not.
I don't know if there's an age restriction or not, but it's dark in those caverns and there are potential trip & fall hazards throughout the caverns if you're not careful. A one-year-old will never be able to navigate that terrain alone, and if the parent carries her, they will both be vulnerable to trips and falls, along with excessive fatigue due to the climbing from low to high elevations that is normally required to move through the Caverns.
Written 9 July 2021
If we decide to do the twisted trails rails and rope course do we have to go all the way at up to the top or can we stay mid level and below? My 11 year old wants to do some of the course but not go all the way to the top. Which he might change his mind once he gets mid way up and is having fun but if he gets midway up and doesn’t want to go any higher I don’t want to have to make him.
Written 7 June 2021
Sorry for the delay in answering. The ropes course does not have a set path, so you can just explore the first level or go as high as someone is comfortable with going.
Written 5 July 2021
They do not allow animals inside the caves.
Written 22 March 2021
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