Westcave Preserve
This picture is owned by J Worth Thompson
Your guide will take you along a 15 minute walk from the waiting area in an arid savanna through a limestone crevice down a 100 foot staircase into a sheltered canyon of lush plant life. After a 15 minute walk you will reach the head of the canyon where a stunning 40-foot waterfall stands replenishing the grotto pool below! Guests will have 30 minutes to absorb the beauty of the grotto area and relax. Your guide will rotate the household groups around so each group can enjoy the different views of the waterfall and inside of our 1-chamber room cave, while keeping a physical distance from one another and the guide. The event will conclude with your guide sending each household group back through the canyon and exiting the staircase, an approximate 15 minute walk. Guests can then proceed back to their vehicle. Access to the canyon, cave and grotto is only permitted with a supervising staff member. The Walk Through The Grotto Experience is available be reservation only. The Westcave Preserve is located at 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd. Round Mountain, TX. For more information, click here.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
This picture is owned by Alex Dibrova.
Hamilton Pool Preserve was designated a nature preserve by the Travis County Commissioner’s Court in 1990. Located 3/4 mile upstream from its confluence with the Pedernales River, Hamilton Creek spills out over limestone outcroppings to create a 50-foot waterfall as it plunges into the head of a steep box canyon. The waterfall never completely dries up, but in dry times it does slow to a trickle. However, the pool’s water level stays pretty constant, even during periods of drought. A unique natural area surrounds this pool, collapsed grotto and canyon, formed by thousands of years of water erosion. Lush plant communities, a variety of wildlife species and natural shelter attracted the area’s first inhabitants. Cultural remains date back over 8,000 years. The area is incredibly gorgeous and is one of the most photographed locations in Texas. Due to the popularity reservations are required. Hamilton Pool Preserve is located at 24300 Hamilton Road Dripping Springs, TX. For more information, click here.
Jacob’s Well Natural Area
This picture is owned by Alayna Michelle White
Jacob’s Well is an artesian spring that releases thousands of gallons of water a day. This is the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas. The source of the water comes from the Trinity Aquifer, which makes its way from an extensive underground cave system. This is a very popular place for hiking and swimming. Reservations are required. Jacob’s Well Natural Area is located at 1699 Mt. Sharp Rd. in Wimberley, TX. For more information, click here.
Davis Mountains State Park
Tim Wood
High in the mountains of West Texas you will find a beautiful and historic park. Explore Davis Mountains State Park’s miles of trails, stay up late to marvel at the night sky, learn about the history of the park and nearby frontier fort. It’s worth the drive! Davis Mountains State Park offers a unique and remote destination for all sorts of adventures. Here you can hike, backpack, mountain bike or ride your own horse, take a scenic drive through the mountains, go camping, stargaze, geocache and study nature. Davis Mountains State Park is located at TX-118 N., Park Rd. 3 Fort Davis, TX. For more information, click here.
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Located less than 90 minutes from Austin, Texas, Longhorn Cavern State Park is a unique Hill Country destination full of natural beauty and Texas-sized tales. Developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the park’s star attraction is Longhorn Cavern, an underground wonder created by the dissolving and cutting action of an ancient river. Enjoy a guided cave tour, hike a Hill Country trail, and admire some of Texas’ best examples of historic CCC architecture. It’s all part of the story of Longhorn Cavern State Park. The park offers both a walking tour as well as a wild tour. Longhorn Cavern State Park is located at 6211 Park Road 4 South Burnet, Texas. For more information, click here.