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Texas (TX)
San Antonio
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Natural Bridge Caverns
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Natural Bridge Caverns

See all things to do
See all things to do
Natural Bridge Caverns
4.5
3,995 reviews
#12 of 272 things to do in San Antonio
Caverns & Caves
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9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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About
Natural Bridge Caverns is one of Texas’ largest underground attractions that is best explored on a guided tour. The Discovery Tour takes you through the most spectacular part of the caverns 180 feet underground, whilst the Hidden Passages tour shows you a system of huge underground chambers—or experience both on a combo tour. Otherwise, navigate the outdoor Twisted Trails rope course, find your way out of the AMAZEn’ Ranch Roundup maze, and pan for fossils at the Mining Company. Don’t miss the festivities during the holidays, which include the light-ups and a cozy campfire. For additional discounts, book your tickets online in advance. – Tripadvisor
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Top ways to experience Natural Bridge Caverns and nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
3,995 reviews
Excellent
2,559
Very good
1,125
Average
232
Poor
58
Terrible
21
ttiottn1
Ohio338 contributions
Discovery tour worth a visit; Recommend
Apr 2022
We purchased tickets weeks in advance for the Discover tour so paid $24.25 each (w/o taxes/fees) for the 1 hour tour. At that price it gets 4 stars. We went on a Tuesday at 1pm and once the 2 bus loads of middle school students left around 12:30pm, the place was not crowded at all. We had about 20 people in our tour and our guide Luke did a good job. The pictures on the website give you a great idea of what you will see but it is more spectacular in person. They do a great job of making it a bit of a “show” with the lighting. The Discovery tour is easy to navigate if you do NOT have mobility problems. The path is paved with traction but it can get a bit steep for those not used to walking up stairs/hills. Wear good walking shoes with rubber soles; don’t recommend sandals or flip flops. You can bring your own food to eat outside the building/tour on picnic tables and we recommend it. The food there is way over priced ($23 for 2 sub-par sandwiches & 1 order of fries) and we had to wait 20 min for our food.
Written May 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimberly D
San Antonio, TX51 contributions
Beautiful sites, but dress appropriately and be careful!
Oct 2022
This is a nice place to visit on a weekend with your family. Couple of recommendations though, if you're military you can get a discount, but only when buying tickets on site. Also, it's HOT in the caverns and it's challenging walking. Wear good gripping shoes, and if it's cold outside, dress in layers. You want to be in t-shirts and shorts for this workout. We were so hot and sweaty by the end of it that we drank two bottles of water instantly and could've kept going! The price for this is kind of high considering you are doing an awful lot of work yourself to see the inside. There's a path but after a good rain it's got water nonstop running down it and it becomes very slippery. You are encouraged to use the hand rails but there's not one hand sanitizer station anywhere. If you aren't in great shape, this is not the type of activity you want to be doing anyway. Also, kids just run all over and it seems their parents just let them even though they are tripping adults who are trying to hang on to keep from slipping. This may be an assessment on parenting these days, but it is a real concern especially for those with mobility issues and no employee tells the parents to make their kids stop so they are basically a constant tripping hazard. This would be an awesome experience if they had installed electric train cars to pull people through while we listened to the guide. Worrying about where you're walking when it's slick and dark doesn't leave a lot of opportunities to look around at the amazing formations in this cave. This would also prevent the kids from running around under elderly people's feet. There's plenty more to do outside after viewing the caverns and for that reason I think this was definitely worth it. The gift shops are extremely overpriced but it's nice to look at some of the unique things they have. They have good and snacks and playgrounds for kids. There's also fall type activities going on there now. Overall, it was a great experience and the cavern is obviously taken great care of. Just watch out for those little kids underfoot!
Written October 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
frankg_2011
Chino Hills, CA83 contributions
Well worth spelunking
Jul 2022
I found the Natural Bridge Caverns while researching for things to do in San Antonio while on a business trip for two weeks, and it was totally worth it. The weather in the Texas hill country was a bit cooler than San Antonio city center, but the 99% humidity made it a damp experience. The stalactites, stalagmite, and flowstone formations were beautiful, more so in the Discovery Passages tour than the Hidden Passages. But since you're there already, might as well sign up for both. It's best to purchase your ticket(s) ahead of time as the prices can fluctuate and it does get more crowded later in the day. Be aware that there are a lot of stairs and inclines (deepest section is 180 feet down) and surface is wet and slippery so good footwear is recommended.
Written July 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelissaWP
Shorewood, IL436 contributions
crazy cool Christian caverns
Mar 2022
We booked a tour in advance on Groupon to save some money. Our tour was for a Tuesday at 1:00. We arrived at 12:00 because we miscalculated how long it would take us to check out of our hotel that morning and how long it would take to get there. Upon arriving, I detected the sound of Christian rock music blaring from the speakers outside as we walked in (later, our tour guide mentioned that the place is owned by a Christian group or family or something...). I walked up to the counter, presented my Groupon, and asked if we could get in on an earlier tour at 12:20 (they run every 20 minutes). I was told "no, the time is the time." I asked again because I didn't understand what the big deal was. She said no again. Well, wow, that is NOT very Christian now is it?! The craziest thing is that the 12:20 group that we saw leaving for the tour was VERY small so we could've easily fit in whereas our 1:00 group was somewhat large. So, it definitely made no sense at all. We then had to sit around an wait for an entire hour....literally, we just sat outside in the shade doing absolutely nothing. This was aggravating and already set our mood for the day. In fact, had it not been for that employee's lack of customer service and refusing to accommodate a polite request for no apparent reason, I would have rated this experience as "very good" but they get one star/point less for that. Our tour guide was extremely young (maybe college age if that) and seemed somewhat inexperienced because there were some basic questions for which he did not know the answer. Otherwise, overall, the caverns tour itself and the sights we saw were cool. We are glad we did it but wish we had a better customer service experience and more experienced tour guide.
Written May 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curtis S
Kingsport, TN2,608 contributions
Impressive sightseeing in the middle of a small amusement park
Feb 2022
About 30 miles outside of San Antonio, the caverns are in the middle of a small amusement park, obviously built to separate you from a few more dollars after visiting the caverns (a business has to make money to survive). It is also near the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (which we didn’t visit). The entry roads to both parks were multiple lanes, suggesting that these attractions can be mighty crowded in high season. We went in February, which is not high season (thankfully). We had booked tickets for the standard tour online, and those vouchers need to be exchanged for real tickets when you get there. The tours go every half hour. The caverns are pretty impressive. We have been to many such sites during our travels, and these caverns are in the top 10. A witty (or less than witty…depending on the luck of the draw) employee guides you through the caverns turning lights on/off for effect. Several rooms in these caverns are enormous, and the rock formations are very cool. The tour is mildly strenuous in some parts. People with dodgy hearts or bad legs should probably pass on this. There is no wheelchair access. Tour takes about 30 minutes, and is worth the visit. The rest of the park has attractions that cater to the kids. Force them to learn a little science, then they can go on the rope challenge. Recommended
Written March 17, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark D
Weatherford, TX663 contributions
Absolutely outstanding!
Jun 2021
This spotless facility is very well run and well worth the trip. They offer a variety of entertainment packages, and tickets are cheaper if purchased ahead of time. They do offer military discounts, but you may need assistance getting it if buying tickets online. Plenty of free parking. Tickets are for specific times and if you're late, you may be out of luck. The trip through the caverns is well worthwhile. Make sure you wear comfortable rubber-souled shoes. The cavern tours are open regardless of weather. The outside entertainment will likely shut down for inclement weather. Easy to get there from Highway 281 or I35. Some fun things in the gift shop.
Written June 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
volcanogirl
Houston, TX14,417 contributions
Beautiful Caverns with Impressive Formations
Apr 2021
We were visiting San Antonio during a rainy week, so we decided to visit Natural Bridge Caverns which was about 35 miles away. We bought our tickets ahead of time online and saved a bit of money by doing that. We chose the Discovery Tour because it seemed to focus on the larger formations that we were interested in seeing. Parking is easy and plentiful on site. When we arrived they sent us to the ticket office to have our tickets scanned so we ended up standing in line despite purchasing ahead of time. After you purchase tickets or have them scanned, they have you wait in a nice, covered pavilion until your guide joins you at your appointed time. We had Jarod as our guide, and he was fantastic - fun, informative, interesting; we thought he did a great job. The caverns were beautiful with amazing formations, some of them quite large, and there were gorgeous underground ice blue lakes as well. We learned all about the history of the caves, how they were formed, and how they were discovered. The entire tour took a little over an hour and was fairly easy with a few steep areas, particularly toward the end, some stairs, etc. It was wet and slick inside so be sure to wear closed toe shoes with good traction. There were handrails and paved paths throughout, and everyone was required to wear a mask. There was never any hurry to be in a rush, and our guide told everyone just to take their time and go at their own pace. It's really impressive the way they were able to develop the inside of the caverns while maintaining their natural beauty. The only thing we weren't fans of is that they had everyone remove their masks inside the cave to have photos taken; photos were then available for purchase. Probably not great for people who aren't immunized yet. In addition to the caves, there are a lot of onsite activities like zipining, a ropes course, panning for gems, little shops, and a snack bar. We loved spending the day here and thought it was the perfect rainy day activity.
Written April 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aviatrx
San Antonio, TX100 contributions
How have we not gone here before?
Dec 2021 • Family
Practical tips-the zip line course is for one hour. This goes fast with young kids. We started with this event when they opened at 10am so that it wasn’t as crowded. From there we got in the line to purchase cave tickets…but the line was super long. We went to the patio and there was one staff member selling online tickets, luckily she was able to sell to us and we could join the next cave tour at 11:48. Since the cave is another hour, our kids were pretty hangry. We decided to skip the rest of the attractions, just didn’t seem worth it to cram in more with us all needing to refuel. There is concession food, but we chose to leave the property, one can only tolerate so much pizza and hot dogs.

We had a great time. The cave was one of the most beautiful I have ever toured. It’s massive. It’s got a lot of unexpected surprises that we weren’t aware of beforehand. Definitely recommend.

The zip line course was really fun, our 4 and 6 year old were very hesitant and actually cried and refused to do any of the crossings, until a really kind staff member offered to help guide them each across. They wanted no help from me, but did amazing with the staff member. I am so thankful for her help, this allowed our family to really get the best experience, she was like our personal guide and I was extremely impressed with her patience and professionalism. Promote this girl, she is outstanding customer service!
Written December 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N0rmalee
Bossier City, LA621 contributions
Great visit
Mar 2022 • Couples
We went on a one hour tour we bought tickets for online and only one other couple and guide Sharon, she was great although apparently the key/lock to the door to get inside kind of hinky and she had to get another employee to come down and let us in. The other couple was very nice and friendly as was Sharon. Day before had been warm shorts weather but our day was around 50 with a really cold wind making it feel like 43! We have gone on a lot of cave tours and this is the only one where it was warmer IN the cave than out as it’s a constant 70 degrees inside. This is the wettest cave we have ever been in also. Water dripping and standing everywhere! The good news there is that means it’s still active and growing stalactites, etc. the bad news is that made it very slippery no while the stairs have handrails, with the, being wet they are slippery. In fact, my husband fell backward and Sharon was obviously worried he hurt himself (he’s 70) but he did reinjure a sore shoulder and hurt his pride it was nothing serious. Very beautiful formations but it was pretty tiring for us old folks! 😜. Interesting thing here to me was there were 3-4 stalls on both sides of the ladies’ room and in between was a running ceiling fan! That was a first! Oh, and they are extending the cave inside, we saw workers down there.
Written March 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Clarkston_Rambler
El Paso, TX840 contributions
Fantastic caverns and tours
Jan 2021 • Family
The Discovery tour has fantastic formations in large rooms. Tour guides were great, guide on Hidden Passages went into a lot more detail and history which was fine because you may not want to hear all of that twice. The Hidden Passages tour is smaller and more intimate. I think they book you on Hidden Passages first if you buy the combo tour so you won’t be let down after the Discovery tour. Skip the rest of the place unless you have small children and lots of cash burning a hole through your pocket.
Written January 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Natural Bridge Caverns (San Antonio) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns is open:
  • Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.
We recommend booking Natural Bridge Caverns tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 1 Natural Bridge Caverns tours on Tripadvisor