There is something special about going down under the earth’s surface and into the dark of a cavern.
While in New Mexico, we explored Carlsbad Caverns. When we learned that Natural Bridge Caverns is located in the San Antonio area, we added it to our list of places to visit when we were in the area.
The morning after kayaking on the San Antonio River, we drove northeast out of Fort Sam Houston towards Natural Bridge Caverns. About thirty-five minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot.
Buying tickets online saves several dollars so we purchased our tickets the previous evening for the 10:30 am tour at a cost of $41.00. **We visited Natural Bridge Caverns in August 2019. Prices may have changed.
Not long after arriving, it was time to gather for the tour. The walkway in the above picture leads explorers down to the entrance, located directly below the 60-foot natural limestone bridge.
In 1960, the limestone bridge (in the background of the above picture) caught the attention of four local college students. They were sure that underground passages existed beneath the massive bridge. After gaining permission to explore the area, they discovered the vast cavern located beneath the bridge.
Our tour guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. Happily, we were not the only people on the tour who took their time walking through the cavern, looking at everything, and taking many pictures.
The tour took us 180 feet below the surface where we saw a variety of formations. We walked down ramps and stairs, around large columns, and past underground streams.
After reaching the lowest point, we began the walk towards the surface. As we ascended, we saw the formations from a different perspective.
Our cavern tour lasted about 75 minutes. After exploring the grounds and the gift shop, we headed to the parking lot. It was time to complete the Mission Tour we started at The Alamo after arriving in San Antonio three days earlier. After putting the address in Maps, we drove to Mission Concepcion.
Peggy Staver, the author of this blog, is a freelance copywriter specializing in outdoor recreation and hospitality. You can contact her at PSCopywriting.com. The majority of photos are taken by Photography by Andreas.
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