Cascade Caverns, Boerne, TX

Cascade Caverns in Boerne, Texas was not always a place for visitors. Prior to the 30's the caverns were sold many times between various individuals. The first few owners probably didn't even see the caverns according to the history written about the place. It was not until 1875 when Dr. Benjamin Hester purchased the land with the caverns that the land was actually inhabited. His wife stayed there for a while after his death, but eventually Hester sold the place to LW Menn. This is when the cave became known as Hester's Cave. During this time some of the younger men would peek inside, even a few left their initials.

By 1932 May Francis wrote a book calling it The Hermit of the Cavern. There was also a dairy near the caverns, but the Great Depression ended it. For quite a while the caverns were forgotten until they were eventually opened for a tourist spot. During the many centuries the cave has been around it has been filled with biological specimens and geological creations. Archeologists, biologists, and geologists have entered the caverns to examine the various specimens. Others who were in the cave prior to its being open to the public most likely took souvenirs. One dig resulted in an excavation of a tusk six feet long. It was circled around a rock. The tusk was from a Mammoth. The cave is even now home to various organisms like bats, beetles, crickets, and salamanders. The cave is set on 105 acres of park that will show off lizards, white tail deer, fox, coyotes, and many plant species to guests who wish to walk around outside the cave.

The cave has daily tours for guests. The summer provides an hour later during the weekends than in fall. The hours are 9am to 5pm and 9am to 6pm, depending on the time of year and day guests arrive. A one hour tour is $11 for adults and $7 for children between the ages of 5 and 11. A group of twenty or more needs to call for reservations and will receive a slight discount. Typically the discount is between one and three dollars.

The tour of Cascade Caverns, which was renamed when the caverns opened, takes visitors along the various corridors into the cooler temperatures. Year round the cave is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Even when outside, it can reach more than a hundred degrees. Along the tour visitors will come to the 100 foot waterfall. It is possible to take photographs and videos of the entire tour. The tour will be educational for all. Once a person has explored the caves it is possible to picnic or hike along the 105 acres. There is also a playground on site for children. Before leaving, visitors can stop by the gift shop.

The gift shop has some unique gifts based on the caverns one has just explored. Cascade Caverns opens for parties, rallies, musical performances, and even corporate retreats as long as reservations are made before hand.