Longhorn Cavern - Explore an underground river

Longhorn Cavern State Park, south of Burnet in Burnet County, is 645.62 acres classified as a scenic park in the rugged Hill Country. Longhorn Cavern was acquired in 1932 - 1937 from private owners. It was dedicated a state park in 1932, was opened in 1938 and was dedicated as a natural landmark in 1971.

Enjoy guided tours and underground concerts in this large system of caves.  See how the caverns have been used throughout history.  Longhorn Caverns is a state park.  This is one of the most unique caverns in the state as it is one of the few river-formed caverns.  The cavern was created over thousands of years by the dissolving and cutting action of water on the limestone bedrock of the area.

Beat the heat with a visit to Longhorn Cavern State Park—the cave is 68 degrees year-round! The park offers guided tours lasting about 11/2 hours for the 11/4-mile round trip. Low-heeled shoes with rubber soles are recommended. Call for current tour schedules.

The cave was first formed when the ground levels of water began to drop. As this downward movement occurred, the water began to dissolve the limestone. This downward drainage continued until great underground stream beds were cut out of solid rock. It is this unusual combination of dissolving and cutting by water that makes Longhorn Cavern one of the most unique caves of the world.

History: The cave has been used as a shelter since prehistoric times. Discovered by the Comanche Indians, used as a Confederate stronghold in the Civil War, rumored hideout of Sam Bass and his gang, and used as a nightclub during prohibition.  It's even rumored that Sam Bass stashed some of his stolen loot in this cavern. Legend also says Texas Rangers rescued a kidnapped girl from Indians in the cave.

The geologic history of Longhorn Cavern is complex, and the theories don’t all agree. It is believed that the limestone was deposited some 450–500 million years ago on the floor of a shallow tropical sea which covered most of Central Texas. Another 150 million years passed before the cavern itself began forming. Between 280 and 300 million years ago, mountain-building forces shifted under Central Texas in an event called the 'Llano Uplift'.

During this upheaval, faults and fractures formed in the flat-lying limestone. Water began flowing through the cracks, dissolving the limestone and eventually forming Longhorn Cavern and many caves like it. During the last million years, the water deposited a thick layer of mud and debris in the cave. Early visitors were restricted to a small area due to this debris.

Some of the earliest visitors were the area’s prehistoric peoples, who used the large room next the main entrance for shelter. Anglo settlers discovered the cavern in the mid-1800s and began mining bat guano that was used in manufacturing gun powder during the Civil War. Many stories and legends developed around Longhorn Cavern, the most persistent being that famous outlaw Sam Bass used the cavern as a hideout in the 1870s. There is no evidence that Sam Bass ever visited the cave, but stories like this one drew tourists as early as the turn of the 20th century. By the 1920s, the main room served as a dance hall and concert venue. 

Activities: The park features historical and nature study. Located in the heart of the Highland Lakes, Longhorn Cavern is near four different lakes and communities that offer excellent opportunities in camping, fishing, and hunting.

Tours: Longhorn Cavern offers guided tours every day of the week. Tours last about an hour and twenty five minutes. On site guides lead you through the cavern narrating historical and geologic facts.

Longhorn Cavern gives you a different view of the Hill County. Longhorn Cavern State Park on Park Road 4 in Burnet County can get you under the Hill Country.  The folks at Longhorn Cavern offer daily guided tours that you can easily walk throughout.  The tours is a nice mix of science, history, and humor. The walking tours are typically offered daily with the Wild Cave Tour is on Saturdays and requires reservations. With several nice hikes through the woods, you can enjoy several hours of entertainment. 

Saturday - Sunday Hourly Tours From 10 am - 5 pm*
Wear Comfortable Rubber Soled Shoes.
Summer Hours Monday - Friday Hourly Tours 10am - 4pm* Winter Hours Monday - Friday 11am , 1pm & 3pm

Price:

• Adults $10.95
• Teens 13-19 & Seniors 60+ $9.95
• Children ages 2-12 $5.95
• Children under 2 Free (With Parent)

Facilities: Facilities include a gift shop, a full service deli and snack counter, a picnic area, and 2 miles of hiking trails. The park is open for day-use only. It is operated by concessionaire, Longhorn Cavern, Inc. An exhibit of Civilian Conservation Corps work done in the Texas State Parks System is on display in the original administration building; no fee.

Flora/Fauna: The terrain consists of hills and sandy, red, black waxy soils; cedar, and other trees.

Elevation: Elevation ranges from 779 to 1585 feet.

Weather: Average rainfall is 30.4 and January minimum is 33 degrees and July maximum is 98 degrees.

If you are a bit more adventurous, check out the Wild Cave Tour at Longhorn Cavern.  During this tour you will get down and dirty.  You will see parts of the cavern only a few people have visited.  While tougher than the regular tour and prone to tight spaces, it is a great experience.

Inks Lake Longhorn Cavern

Longhorn Cavern

Related Uploads from Flickr by Yahoo