Natural Bridge Caverns — Attraction in Bulverde

The grounds here are beautiful, and the caverns are gorgeous. The parking lot is ample, with plenty of tree-lined spaces. Ramps are in place for those in wheel chairs or those who have mobility issues. Picnic tables dot the outskirts of the closer parking spots, too!

The ticket office is located to the left after entering the visitor center. Also in the center is a gift shop with some very nice things. Other buildings include another gift shop and a small restaurant/snack shop.

There is a zip-line ride in the middle of the park, too! You just walk up several flights of stairs to the top and then ride the zip line down in a spiral path to the bottom. It looks really easy, something that almost anyone can do!

The restaurant offers bottled water and other libations. Lots of candy bars and snacks line the walls. We ordered a brisket sandwich and paid 10 dollars for a junior-sized bun that had been over-microwaved, so it had the consistency of unchewable rubber, and the meat was absolutely tasteless and dry. Along with that overpriced piece of hockey puck bread was a serving of Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce and a serving of pickled cucumbers and onions, which were good but not enough to rescue the most horrible sandwich I have ever had. Seriously. I ended up throwing away the entire bun after scraping off most of the tasteless meat and eating that. I would expect all their buns and rolls to be microwaved and all their meat dry and tasteless, so I would recommend NOT buying any food here except for candy bars and bottled water.

Food is not the reason for our visit to the caverns, though: we came to see the underground formations, and they were worth it. The tour takes about an hour and 10 minutes, and the walk is very easy, even for someone with balance issues and a walking stick like me. The only challenge is that the smooth paths are not 100 percent flat, so when turning sharp corners, the handrails don't always meet, and you might have to feel a little less secure just for a second. Just about anyone can hack the walks: the trails are not too steep and not strenuous at all. The innermost caverns are very, very humid and hot, so be prepared with lighter clothes than other caverns. (For example: Mammoth Cave and Carlsbad Caverns are around 58 degrees year round, but the Natural Bridge Caverns are very warm, around 70 degrees Fahrenheit with 100 percent humidity so that it feels like 80+ degrees! If you get overheated easily, it will not be pleasant.)

You can get some great photographs in this cavern, and the staff is very friendly. The gift shop offers nice wares, and the facilities are beautiful, too. These things, along with easy walking and tourist-friendly amenities (except for the horrible food), make it an excellent choice for everyone, even those with children and...

As I gaze upon the breathtaking images of Natural Bridge Caverns, I am enveloped by a profound sense of the divine artistry woven into the heart of the Earth. These sacred underground sanctuaries, with their majestic stalactites and stalagmites reaching toward one another like silent prayers meeting in the stillness, evoke a deep spiritual resonance. The soft, ethereal glow illuminating the cavernous depths feels like a divine light piercing through the shadows, guiding us toward an inner awakening. The first image, with its awe-inspiring formations and the presence of fellow seekers walking the path, reminds me of a pilgrimage—a journey into the soul of the planet. The towering columns, adorned with delicate, flowing curtains of stone, seem to whisper ancient wisdom, as if the Earth itself is sharing its timeless story of creation and patience. Each drip that formed these natural wonders over millennia speaks of a slow, deliberate dance with the divine, a testament to the beauty that emerges from stillness and trust. In the second image, the close-up of the “Watchtower” formation stands as a sentinel of spiritual strength. Its intricate layers suggest a guardian of secrets, a sacred space where one might pause to meditate and connect with the unseen forces that shape our world. The interplay of light and shadow invites introspection, urging us to look within and find the light that dwells in our own hearts. The third image, with its expansive view into the cavern’s depths, feels like a portal to the infinite. The rugged entrance and the mysterious darkness beyond call to mind the threshold between the material and the spiritual, a place where one might leave behind the mundane and step into the sacred. The natural bridge itself seems to symbolize a connection—a bridge between the earthly and the divine, between our present moment and the eternal. Finally, the fourth image captures the raw, untouched beauty of the cavern’s interior, where the interplay of light and stone creates a cathedral-like ambiance. It is a place of reverence, where the silence speaks louder than words, and the soul can find solace in the embrace of nature’s grandeur. These caverns are not merely geological wonders but sacred temples, inviting us to honor the Earth’s spirit and reflect on our own place within the cosmic tapestry. Visiting Natural Bridge Caverns, as depicted in these images, is a spiritual pilgrimage—a chance to stand in the presence of the divine craftsmanship of the universe. It is a reminder that beauty and holiness are etched into the very bones of our world, waiting for those who seek with open hearts to...

Had an off day for our big trip to the area for the eclipse, and a member of our group had been wanting to go to any of the caverns along the way, and Natural Bridge Cavers just so happened to be the closest when we had some free time.

Ended up going with the Hidden Wonders tour and really enjoyed ourselves! The guide, Aiden, was super friendly and funny, and they answered any questions the whole group had a long the way, and seemed to show genuine interest in what they were talking about, which ALWAYS makes these kind of tours more interesting. With Hidden Wonders, you descend a pretty decent set of stairs down into a cavern, seeing sights along the way. We initially wore light coats just because it was a bit drizzly outside, but it was definitely warm and extremely humid inside the cavern, so at the least, wear layers! We also brought a small backpack and filled it with a few waters, which was definitely nice to have.

Once you get to the end, there's a little interpretive light and audio show you can watch, which was actually pretty awesome. From there, you can either walk up and out of the cavern, or take their BAT system, which is essentially just a conveyor belt for people. They had multiple staff at the bottom and top to assist people on and off the belt. It wasn't too difficult, but it's steeper than you will probably expect, and it's a decent length too, so you're on it kinda leaning forward the whole time for at least a few minutes. Was a fun extra bonus though!

Didn't do the Discovery tour, but I believe that one is all walking up/down stairs, so no easy way out at the end! There are also a bunch of other attractions at the location, including a jungle gym thing where you get a harness put on, and then you climb up this huge rollercoaster like structure where you cross narrow bridges and ride down sections of it in you harness. Seemed super cool, but didn't have time to check it out. Think all that stuff is paid for separately, fyi. Also a decent sized food court area, and a few gift shops (one even has a sluice/gold panning thing where you buy a bag of dirt and sift through it to find small gems and stuff; probably a waste for adults, but could be fun for young kids for the $10 or so it costs to do).

Not sure if/when we'll be in the area again, but I'd definitely like to check out the other tour and some of the other stuff you can do on site. Just down the street is an animal safari thing, where I think you can drive through a safari park. Again, not something we did, but sounds like that whole area could be a decent getaway for at least a day for a family with a...