Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio

The Natural Bridge Caverns are located seventeen miles north of San Antonio and are the largest stalactite caves in Texas. Stalactites are collected forms of a variety of minerals that are deposited slowly by dripping water. The deposited minerals come together and form a column which eventually looks like the form of ice crystals. There are more than 10,000 different formations in the chambers of the cave and it has become a large tourist destination for people interested in the outdoors and nature. The cave system is both beautiful and historical and one of the most treasured natural attractions in Texas. Natural Bridge Caverns were discovered in 1960 by four college students from St. Mary's University in San Antonio. The students explored large underground passages that existed under a 60-foot limestone bridge in the area. They made four expeditions to the area before discovering additional rooms and passages throughout the cave. Once the students shared their discovery with the landowners of the Natural Bridge Caverns, the owners decided to share the caverns with the rest of the world. Since that time, the city has worked to preserve the cavern environment and give others the opportunity to explore such a natural treasure.

The Natural Bridge Caverns provide educational once-in-a-lifetime experiences for those who visit its formations. Some of the most delicate and rare formations can be found in the chambers of the underground caves. Each chamber is intricately decorated with long soda straw stalactites and cave ribbons. The different sights offer visitors to the chambers so much to do, see, and learn.

There is a popular tour that is offered through the Natural Bridge Caverns which is called the Discovery Tour. The Discovery Tour allows visitors to walk 180 feet below the ground and gain knowledge and insights about the history, biology, and environmental aspects of the cave from a professional tour guide. The Discovery Tour lasts through a half-mile of the largest show cavern in Texas. Tourists get the chance to take pictures of stones, soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites, and various other formations that they find throughout the Natural Bridge Caverns. The tour does have a fee of $18 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-11. The Discovery Tour lasts slightly over an hour and a half and a tour guide starts a new round every thirty minutes. A modern light system keeps the chambers uniquely lit to enhance the experience of traveling through the chambers.

The temperature in the cave hovers around seventy degrees but the humidity is 99%. Because of the exceptionally high humidity most of the surfaces in the Natural Bridge Caverns are extremely wet. Tourists are required to wear comfortable walking shoes that provide traction on steep, slippery surfaces. Many tourists who explore the chamber take photographs to capture their memories. The prestigious USA Today publication named the Natural Bridge Caverns one of the top ten greatest places to get nature on film. For tourists around the country and world, the Natural Bridge Caverns are one of nature's most amazing places.