There's An Underground Creek In This Texas Cave And The Water Is A Mesmerizing Blue
By Katie Lawrence|Published October 07, 2021
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
We recently told you about all the aboveground attractions at Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio, but today, we’re heading below the surface to discover a hidden gem deep within the complex cave system. The caverns are home to an underground creek, as well as several other gorgeous bodies of water, all of which harbor ancient secrets about the formation of the Texas Hill Country. You can see these below-the-surface oases with your own two eyes – even on the most basic tour the caverns have to offer!
One of the highest rated attractions in Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns began forming millions of years ago after extensive series of faults, known as the Balcones Fault Zone, was created.
Water seeped into cracks in the rocky, Hill Country landscape, eventually leading to the formation of an underground river. This river eroded the limestone, culminating in an epic collapse from which the caverns were born.
The caverns have mostly dried up over time, but some water still remains.
Pro tip: visit after a rainstorm to see the creek at its fullest!
All of the cavern tours - even the most basic Discovery Tour - offer visitors the chance to see Emerald Lake, Purgatory Creek, and several other belowground oases.
Prices for the Discovery Tour vary from day to day, but typically hover somewhere between $20 and $30 for adults, and $15 to $20 for children.
So if you're looking for a relatively budget-friendly attraction that takes you to hidden gem after hidden gem, look no further than Texas' largest show cave.
Hours are 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday-Thursday, and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Visit the Natural Bridge Caverns website or Facebook page to learn more and/or to purchase tickets.
Have you ever seen the underground creek at Natural Bridge Caverns? What about Emerald Lake? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments section below, and don’t forget to check out our previous article for more Texas caves worth exploring.
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