wonder world cave tour

World of Caves

UnderGround Cave Adventures Await

Ultimate Guide to Wonder World Cave, Texas (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

We may have been compensated for this post. Please keep in mind that it affects you in no way financially. If an item is being reviewed, we are not obligated to give a positive review and always use our own words. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. If you would like a review done contact Dannelle at [email protected]

Sharing is caring!

Wonder World Cave is the 1st show cave in Texas opened to the public. The cave is, as per reports, the only commercially operated dry cave in the US. It is known as a dry-formed cave as the fissure was opened by an earthquake and not by erosion. The quake had produced the Balconies fault, and the fault is visible in the cave ceiling. 

Wonder World Cave, Texas

The original name of the cave was Bevers Cave, after Mark Bevers, who discovered the cave in 1893. The cave came quite handy for him as it managed to conceal the illegal gambling and distilling enterprises of Bever! Today, the cave is home to Wonder World Amusement Park, with an in-house wildlife park. 

History of Wonder World Cave

Wonder World Cave is the 1st show cave in Texas that provides a lot of fun and entertainment for the entire family. The Wonder Cave was discovered in 1893 by a cowboy and freight hauler named Mark A. Bevers. He was settled in San Marcos in 1882, and he found the cave while drilling for water in an area that is now the parking lot. Today, you will find a state historical marker designating the site where he was drilling for water. 

In 1903 W.S. Davis took control of the cave and started operating it as a tourist attraction. He charged a fee of 10 cents for the candle and guided tour. The cave ultimately became the property of Judge Will G. Barber, who lived on a hill just north of the cave. The property was sold to Arthur B. Rodgers by Judge Barber in 1916 for a fee of USD 50, a gray horse, and a saddle. Mr. Rodgers renamed the cave Wonder Cave and installed electric lighting, handrails, and gravel paths. 

In 1955 Ralph Marker leased the cave from the son of Rodgers. Mr. Marker successfully started an advertising campaign for the cave, and it helped boost the business so much that he had to increase the cave operations. In 1958 Paul Rodgers sold the cave to a local family, and the present-day Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park have been family-oriented ever since. 

Geological Cave Formations

It is an earthquake cave and does not boast any noteworthy geological features inside. 

Wonder World Petting Park lets you come close to various wildlife species such as deer, rabbits, ostrich, exotic birds, hens, and other cute-looking domestic animals. You can even feed these creatures as they walk around in their area. 

Is Wonder World Cave Haunted?

It is not haunted in the true sense of the term, but there is a haunted cave tour that is very popular among people of all ages. The tour will let you learn about the untold stories with a dark side and watch the cave come back to life!

How Big is Wonder World Cave?

The walking tour covers an approximate distance of 1 mile. The estimated length is 395m or 1/4th mile. 

Wonder World Cave Tours

Have you ever got an opportunity to explore an earthquake from deep inside the earth? Then it would help if you visited the Balconies Fault Line Cave, which is the only natural earthquake cave open for viewing. The tour guides are thoroughly trained to tell you stories of the past geological eras of the Earth’s history.

The cave also offers fossilized prehistoric life encased in various strata formations and huge boulders suspended in mid-air. It is unique and markedly different from other show caves and gives lots of fun for all age groups. The best part of this cave is that it can be enjoyed any time of the year as it is not affected by the weather conditions. 

There are a few other rooms in the cave which are not covered by the tour. You can explore these rooms independently, but you would require flashlights, hardhats, and rope. It is recommended that all visitors wear non-skid shoes as it is a complete walking tour. The cave is not wheelchair-friendly or accessible by strollers. 

Please remember that cave has steep stairs that go up and down throughout the length of the tour. The tour is not recommended for people recovering from leg or heart complications and surgeries. For the convenience of the visitors, there are railings and lightings throughout the cave, and there are also seating options along the way.  

Tour Prices and Discounts

There are different types of tickets which are as follows – 

All in One Ticket

It is the most popular choice among all the visitors. 

• Adults – USD 27.95
• Youth – USD 18.95
• Child (0 – 3 years) – USD 5

If you are interested in visiting only the caves, you may opt for the Cave Only tickets.

• Adults – USD 19.95
• Youth – USD 13.95

Is Wonder World Cave Cold?

Wonder World Cave has a temperature of 72 degrees throughout the year.  

What to Wear?

It is recommended that all visitors wear closed-toed shoes or any comfortable walking shoes. It is a dry cave, but occasional rains can create wet floors and puddles of water. If you are coming on a hot summer day, wear loose, breathable clothing for your comfort. 

Wonder World Cave Hours

The hours differ from season to season, but the general operating hours are 11 am to 5 pm. 

Get Our Newsletter!

Get our latest and greatest cave guides delivered right to your inbox!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

What to Do at Wonder World Cave (Beside Tours)

After a caves tour, you can have a great time at Adventure Park. You can hop on the train that will take you to the Texas Wildlife Petting Zoo. It is a great way to enjoy feeding and pet the wildlife inhabitants. Deer feed and refreshments for dinner are available for purchase at the train station. The train tickets cost USD 9.50 pp, and children under three years are admitted free. 

Anti-Gravity House

It is a great and fun place to be as things that go up do not always come down here, and water flows uphill! 

Observation Tower

After you exit the cave, you need to travel 190 ft upward to see the beautiful views of the Balconies Fault Line Cave. There is the Observation Tower from where one can see the Gulf Coastal Plains dividing points that form the major geographical landmarks of the state. 

Arcade Room

If you want to test your skills by playing some classic games, you must come down to the Arcade Room. You can play iconic games like Pac-Man and Fuse-ball and have a great time together with your families and friends. 

The Wonder World Cave gift store has a wide range of gifts and toys that have been specially designed to appeal to the imagination of visitors of all ages. You can browse through a wonderful selection of rocks, imaginative toys, and souvenirs from all around the world. 

The Wonder World offers gem mining for all guests. Just buy a bucket of sand and sift through it to find out the hidden treasures, and you are sure to get surprised by what you discover. 

Best Time to Visit Wonder World Cave

You can come here during the weekends as the park is open for private groups only from Monday to Thursday. 

How to Get to Wonder World Cave

The entrance to Wonder World Cave is one mile SW from the county courthouse in San Marcos. To be more precise, it is a few minutes away from I-35 in San Marcos, between San Antonio and Austin. 

Hotels near Wonder World Cave

The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is an excellent choice for a hotel if you are looking for some place to rest after the Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park tour. 

Also, one will come across an occasional spider or cricket that can go through the elevator shaft. The black and white salamander is the only indigenous creature you will ever find here. 

Download our Wonder World Cave Guide (Unofficial) HERE: 

Wonder World Cave, Caves, Cave Guide, Digital Download, Printable Download, Instant Download, Natural Science, Science Lesson, STEM

Visiting Wonder World Cave

Do you need more information before visiting Wonder World Cave? Call (512) 392-6711 or email  Wonder World Cave  for an information packet. 

Other Articles You May Enjoy:

• Caving Torch: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best One for Your Next Adventure
• Ultimate Guide to Carver’s Cave, Minnesota (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Caving Lamps: Essential Gear for Safe and Successful Underground Exploration
• Ultimate Guide to Samuels’ Cave, Wisconsin (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Ultimate Guide to The Lava Tube, California (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Reach us by Email:

DannelleGay (at) gmail (dot) com

Recent Posts

Recent comments.

• Linda Robbins on The Best List of Caves in Idaho
• Discover Natural Bridge Caverns in Texas - on Ultimate Guide to Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Uncovering the Mysteries: Exploring Caves in Michigan - Michiganly on Ultimate Guide to Spider Cave, Michigan (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Tour These Historical Caves Mined By Native Individuals For Hundreds Of Years – Things To Do in Myrtle Beach on Ultimate Guide to Wyandotte Cave, Indiana (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Majestic Caverns — stunning beauty, amazing history on Ultimate Guide to DeSoto Caverns, Alabama (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Ultimate Guide to Spring Mill State Park, Indiana (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Ultimate Guide to Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Ultimate Guide to Cave Spring, Mississippi (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Ultimate Guide to King Philip’s Cave, Massachusetts (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
• Best Caving Coveralls for Safe and Comfortable Spelunking

Privacy Policy

• Eat & Drink

365 Things Austin

• Eat & Drink

NewsPaper the art of publishing

• 417k Followers
• 115k Followers
• The Thing To Do Today

Wonder World Cave In San Marcos

Explore the caves of San Marcos at Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park ! Afterward, be sure to meet Piggy Smalls, soak up an amazing view from their tower, and check out their anti-gravity house! The tour of Balcones Fault Line Cave has been going on for 105 years.

They have lots of other attractions and upcoming holiday activities, too. Check them out throughout the season.

When: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Location: 1000 Prospect St San Marcos, TX 78666

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Where to Watch Your NFL Team in Austin

Where To Play Pickleball In Austin

Things To Do In November

THINGS TO DO IN OCTOBER

Things To Do In September

Things To Do In August

Texas yoga retreat, livestrong challenge.

• 260k Fans Love Us

Join Our E-List

The BEST things happening each weekend in Austin, straight to your inbox.

--> Working on it...

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

11 Beautiful Caverns To Visit In Texas Hill Country

Visit Longhorn Caverns

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• State Parks
• Texas Hill Country
• United States

Although more than 5,600 caves twist through the Texas underbelly, the Balcones Fault running between Austin and San Antonio houses most of the immense caverns in Texas, all hidden beneath the rolling Texas Hill Country landscape. Why do we seem to have such a strange fascination with underground caverns and caves? Do they offer a glance into another mysterious underworld? Let’s explore the top 11 otherworldly caverns and caves with unique, centuries-old formations and learn the role caverns play in our ecosystem.

1. Longhorn Cavern State Park

As a kid, the first cavern I explored was Longhorn Caverns , located 1.5 hours northwest of Austin near Burnet. That’s where and when my fascination with caverns began. I was impressed with the hundreds of calcite crystals that sparkled from every wall in the Crystal City, formed by an ancient underground river that receded thousands of years ago.

The history is equally fascinating. Sam Bass used the cave as a hideout, and Comanche Indians used the Indian Council Room as a meeting place. Confederate Soldiers made and stored their gunpowder there. In the 1920s, during prohibition, nearby residents used the cavern as a speakeasy.

Today performing musicians hold concerts and vocal performances there because of the natural acoustics. Enjoy the available tours, a wild cave tour through the less explored areas of the cave, and an evening paranormal expedition exploring the unexplained happenings there.

Pro Tip: Stay at Log Country Cove on Lake LBJ .

2. Natural Bridge Caverns

Halfway between San Antonio and New Braunfels, Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the most commercially recognized family-owned and operated cave systems in the area, initially discovered by college students in 1960. The name originated from the 60-foot natural limestone slab bridge that spans the cavern’s amphitheater entrance.

There are two main walking cave tours, the Hidden Passages and the Discovery Tour, where you see the Castle of the White Giants and the Hall of the Mountain King with 100-feet-high formations covering the ceiling, walls, and floor. Your experienced guide will lead you through dense cave formations that include stalactites, stalagmites, chandeliers, flowstones, and columns that are thousands of years old. Wear comfortable shoes to manage the concrete paths with steps and steep inclines. The Adventure Tour includes crawling through narrow passages with headlamps.

Above ground, you’ll find a 5,000-square-foot maze, and the Twisted Trails zip rails and ropes course, a restaurant, and a gift shop.

Pro Tip: Stay at Guadalupe River Cabins or River Road Treehouses in New Braunfels.

3. Inner Space Cavern

Explorers discovered prehistoric remains of Ice Age animals in Inner Space Cavern , one of the oldest, best-preserved caverns less than an hour north of Austin near Georgetown. The Texas Highway Department discovered the cavern in 1963; then, the cavern opened to the public in 1966.

Three tours are available; first, the Adventure Tour through Inner Space Cavern leads along a well-lit pathway. For the more adventurous, the Hidden Passages Tour explores an undeveloped trail of the cave. Flashlights allow you to see delicate columns, flowstone, transparent calcite called drapery and soda straws, thin hollow tubes of slowly dripping calcite. The most challenging tour, the Wild Cave Tour on Saturday and Sunday, features off-trail spelunking through undeveloped areas, requiring no previous caving experience, but guests must be 13 or older. You’ll get dirty on this one.

Pro Tip: Stay at the Ruby Hotel and Bar , nestled along Brushy Creek, less than 10 miles from the Inner Space Cavern.

4. Caverns Of Sonora

Find the spectacular Caverns of Sonora , just a few miles west of Sonora, halfway between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park . The Crystal Palace tour, a guided walking tour for 12 people or less, leads you through the Hall of the White Giants, rooms of white speleothems that look like chandeliers and glass-blown figurines in an antique shop. Other formations resemble a cauliflower or melted ice cream.

On the Discovery Challenge tour, adventurists wear helmets, gloves, and kneepads and trek into areas not developed or lighted. You will belly crawl through passageways and repel 50 feet down a rock face into the Devil’s Pit. Book a Photography Tour at the cavern that allows you to bring a tripod. Visitors can camp on the grounds in tents or RVs, with restrooms and showers available.

Pro Tip: Stay at the X Bar Ranch Nature Retreat , 20 minutes from the Sonora Cavern.

5. Cascade Caverns

Three miles south of Boerne, near San Antonio, this cavern operated tours as far back as 1875 when Dr. Benjamin Hester owned the cave property. The Lipan Apache people frequented the cave before 1800. Visit the daily Downunder Tour led by a professional guide traversing lighted passageways atop smooth gravel.

If you dare, the Adventure Tour offers a 3- to 4-hour group tour involving flashlights and protective equipment, including knee pads for crawling and getting muddy. The cave keeps a consistent 64 degrees regardless of the weather outside. When it rains, officials may cancel a tour because of temporary flooding, so call to confirm. The Cascade Caverns campground offers RV and tent spaces for camping, including nature trails.

Pro Tip: Stay at The William , a collection of boutique luxury hotel rooms above Main Street in Boerne (pronounced: bur-nee).

Visit Boerne

6. Cave Without A Name

Near Boerne, an hour’s drive from San Antonio or New Braunfels, this untitled cavern is only accessible via a guided tour. Named because no title described the beauty, this Cave Without a Name features large rooms and living, hanging formations. Begin your exploration by descending 126 concrete steps, walking past unique cave features through several large rooms. Lights capture the stunning soda straws, stalagmites, and stalactites. Enjoy the natural acoustics with concerts in the cave monthly. Camping available.

Pro Tip: Stay at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort .

7. Wonder World Cave And Adventure Park

Visit the Balcones Fault Line Cave, known as Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park in San Marcos, halfway between Austin and San Antonio. For over 105 years, visitors can first see how the devastation of a significant earthquake created the cave. Exit via the “Stratavator” and ride high up to see the Tejas Observatory Tower. Have fun in the Topsy-Turvy Anti-Gravity House, where water flows uphill. Ride the train through the waterfalls of Mystery Mountain to the Texas Wildlife Petting Park. One ticket gets you all the experiences. Bring a picnic lunch.

Pro Tip: Stay at Crystal River Inn bed and breakfast in San Marcos , here for 36 years.

8. Colorado Bend State Park

See one of the best waterfalls in Texas, Gorman Falls, as you make your required reservations for a guided wild cave tour of the underground treasures at Colorado Bend , near Bend, west of Lampasas, southeast of San Saba. Visit Gorman Cave, Lemons Ranch Cave, Turtle Shell Cave, Cicurina Cave, or Dynamite Cave primarily on weekends, but throughout the week as well with reservations. Fish or paddle the river, cool off in Spicewood Springs, hike the 35 miles of trails, camp in drive-up sites, walk-in tent sites, or primitive hike-in sites.

Pro Tip: Here is more information about camping in the park.

9. Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area

Two hours west of San Antonio, near Rocksprings, Devil’s Sinkhole is an enormous vertical cavern dropping over 350 feet deep. Home to over 3 million Mexican free-tail bats from May through October, no guided tours of the cave are available. Admission is open to the nature area through guided visits and birdwatching tours. See daily bat flight views at dusk or the bat return flight tours in the early mornings between May and October. A colony of bats can eat over 100 tons of bugs a night, which is important to the local farmers. Reservations are required.

Pro Tip: Stay at Foxfire Log Cabins along the Sabinal River , but keep in mind, it’s an hour from the cavern.

10. Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Near Del Rio, at Brackettville, the largest of over 20 known caves, Kickapoo Cavern reveals impressive formations in its approximate quarter-mile length. Reservations are required for wild cave tours on Saturday only. Be ready for undeveloped conditions with a moderately strenuous hiking experience. The excursion is 3 hours and limited to 10 people. Wear closed shoes with traction and bring a headlamp and flashlight per person.

Stuart Bat Cave is home to thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats, roosting in the cave from spring to fall. At dusk, the bats erupt from the cave putting on a dramatic exit show. These bats eat tons of insects in one evening. In the state park, camping, hiking the trails, and record-setting migratory bird watching are available. You must pack out your trash; no trash service is available.

Pro Tip: Rest up at Fort Clark Springs Motel , offering recently renovated rooms in the original barracks.

11. Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center

The fragile cave and surrounding uplands focus on nature and conservation as a family learning experience, founded in 1976. The guided tours at this preserve, about 45 minutes from Austin, lead you from arid grasslands through a limestone crevice into another world, a sheltered canyon of lush plant life, and Westcave , with a 40-foot waterfall into an emerald pool below. Advanced reservations are required.

Pro Tip: Stay at Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa in the rolling hills near Austin.

To participate in the Texas Cave Trail Program, pick up your passport at any of these four caves: Natural Bridge Caverns, Caverns of Sonora, Cave Without A Name, or Inner Space Cavern. Within one year, get your cave passport stamp at each location, then at the last cave, turn in your completed passport for your free T-shirt.

Janie H. Pace is a travel writer and photographer based in Fort Worth, Texas. Her culinary, wine, and travel photography adventures have led her across Peru from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu; up the Canadian Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Banff and Jasper, indulging in Fairmont luxury hotels; and to the four largest islands of Hawaii. Her latest adventure was a Viking Cruise to the Norwegian Homelands. After a career in advertising and sales, Janie knows what makes compelling, substantial content. Whether she's participating in a wine tasting, restaurant review, or local craft beer or distillery tour, Janie posts her adventures at Journey Mapped .

• North Texas
• South Texas
• San Antonio
• Cities And Towns
• Eating And Drinking
• Outdoor Adventures
• Things To Do
• Weekend Getaways
• Where To Stay
• Skip to right header navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary navigation
• Skip to primary sidebar

Texas Travel 365

7 Natural Caves And Caverns in Texas You Must Visit

November 23, 2021 //  by  Texas Travel 365

If you are looking for adventure and some of the best caving in Texas, you have come to the right place! This list includes some of the most awesome caverns in Texas. From Del Rio to San Antonio to Austin, Texas is full of unique, wonderous caverns!

With caverns featuring spectacular helictites, pre-historic fossils, and wildlife, these caverns in Texas will not disappoint. From Cascade Caverns with their Cascade Cavern Salamanders to a 40-foot waterfall at West Cave, the beauty of these Texas caves are beyond compare.

Many of these Texas caverns also feature nature preserves with beautiful landscapes and are also full of history with Mastadon and Saber-toothed Tiger fossils! Several have their own camping grounds for accommodations as well. You won’t want to miss out on these great experiences, so jump in the car and find your inner spelunker exploring these awesome caverns in Texas!

Cascade Caverns

Located just north of San Antonio and a bit south of Boerne. Texas is one of the best caverns in Texas, Cascade Caverns! It has been open to the public since 1932 making it somewhat of a historical site as well. Not only is Cascade Caverns a beautiful cavern to explore, but it is also scientifically interesting.

Cascade Caverns is one of the most biologically diverse caverns in Texas. It is home to a lot of unique species, such as Tri-color Bats, Cave Crickets, and Leopard Frogs. These Texas caverns are also home to the Cascade Cavern Salamander! This salamander can only be found at Cascade Caverns. These Texas caves are also home to several fossils, including Mastadon and Saber Tooth Tiger fossils.

Visitors can choose from a variety of tours at Cascade Caverns to best fit their needs. There are daily tours, lasting 45 minutes to an hour that takes groups through the caverns to enjoy the beautiful stalactites. If you are feeling a little more adventurous you can take the evening Flashlight Tour that takes place at night and lasts about 1.5 hours. The Salamanders are likely to make an appearance during the Flashlight Tours.

Cascade Caverns also offers campgrounds and an RV park for those looking to stay the night. While onsite, there are 2 nature trails to explore. You can also dig for fossils and gems as well which is especially fun for kids! Those staying at the campgrounds or RV park have access to BBQ grills, picnic tables, and free wifi.

Cascade Caverns are in Texas Hill Country which has a ton of other awesome things to check out these things to do in Texas Hill Country . It is located just off of I-10 West just north of San Antonio. Cascade Caverns is definitely a unique place to visit and one of the neatest Texas caverns.

If you are looking for a rugged caving experience, Deep Cave is the cave for you! Deep Cave is about 100 meters deep and around 2 kilometers long making it one of the most awesome caverns in Texas.

It is located at the Deep and Punkin Caves Nature Preserves which s also home to Punkin Cave. Deep Cave has unique areas including the Forest of Columns, the Miller Time area, and the Helictite Room. There is an active mapping project going on for Deep Cave and you can participate in a few of the surveying trips throughout the year.

Exploring one of the best caves in Texas, Deep Cave does require a lot of climbing and a good bit of crawling so it is for those prepared and physically able to do this. However, no rope work is needed to explore Deep Cave. A trip through Deep Cave usually lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. Information on when survey trips are available is sent through the Texas Caver email list. Also to visit Deep Cave, groups must have a Texas Cave Management Association certified Trip Leader, and those wishing to stay on-site require a certified Expedition Leader due to limit damage to the cave and for safety.

The nature preserve is also beautiful to explore and home to lots of wildlife such as Golden Check Warblers and Pinion Pines. If you are staying at the Deep and Punkin Caves Nature Preserve there is a field house along with some campsites. However, visitors are recommended to bring their own potable water as it is not always available on site There is a shower building along with a desiccating E-Loo toilet on site.

Deep Cave is located in Edwards County about 30 miles north of Del Rio and 35 miles west of Rock Springs, Texas. This truly adventurous caving experience is what makes Deep Cave one of the best caves in Texas!

Natural Bridge Caverns

If you are looking for an all-day cavern experience, look no further than the Natural Bridge Caverns! Natural Bridge Caverns are located between New Braunfels and San Antonio and are one of the coolest caverns in Texas!

First discovered in 1960 by 4 college students, Natural Bridge Caverns has become one of the most popular caves in Texas. The Natural Bridge Caverns consist of 2 miles of cavern passages underneath a 60-foot natural limestone bridge. It is full of both science and history!

Visitors can learn about the different limestone layers in the caverns that date back to the Cretaceous period! The first half-mile of passages has been developed for easy access and touring. The Natural Bridge Caverns are one of the largest caverns in Texas!

There are several tours to choose from that suit a range of adventures. Visitors can take the Discovery Tour which consists of the first half-mile of the caverns on a trail. If you are looking for a bit more adventure, you can partake in the Adventure Tour which takes you off-trail into the undeveloped parts of the caverns. Those going on the Adventure Tour should prepare to crawl through some small spaces and get a bit muddy! Natural Bridge Caverns also offers private VIP tours that can be customized as well. During the summer, visitors can also enjoy the Bracken Bat Flight Packages which showcase the 20 million Mexican Free-tailed Bats that call Bracken cave home, which is close to the Natural Bridge Caverns.

Natural Bridge Caverns also offers several attractions at the surface including the Twisted Trails Zip Rails and Ropes course which features a rope and zipline course 60 feet above the ground! If you have little ones accompanying you they will enjoy the Twisted Trails Tykes course which is specially designed for kids under 4 feet tall with platforms less than 3 feet off the ground! There is also an awesome outdoor maze, dining, and shopping at Natural Bridge Cavern.

These magnificent caverns in Texas are located about 30 minutes north of San Antonio off of I-35 at exit 175. You won’t want to miss these awesome Texas caverns!

Wonder World Cave

Wonder World Cave is a one-of-a-kind cavern in San Marcos, Texas. It is the only commercially operated dry-formed cave in the United States. The fact that is a dry-formed cave, as in it was not created by water erosion like most caves, makes Wonder World Cave one of the best caverns in Texas!

The Wonder World Cave was created by the earthquake that formed the Balcones Fault Line. This fault line can actually be seen on the ceiling of Wonder World Cave making it truly unique. This cave was originally discovered in 1893 but became a tourist attraction in 1903 which is why it is known as one of the first show caves in Texas.

Not only is the Balcones Fault Line visible to visitors, but the Wonder World Cave is also home to a myriad of fossilized prehistoric life throughout the many layers of rock in the cave. All the wonders of Wonder World Cave can be seen on the guided tour that is about 1 mile long.

There are steep stairs going both up and down on the tour so it is recommended that anyone who has a leg, hip, or heart issue or who is recovering from related surgeries avoid the tour or speak with their doctor prior to visiting. However, the path is well lit and there is seating located along the tour as well.

Wonder World Cave also boasts an amusement park located onsite featuring a wildlife park, petting zoo, gem mining, arcade, and an observation tower. Visitors won’t be disappointed by all that Wonder World Cave has to offer. You won’t want to miss these awesome San Marcos caverns!

Caverns of Sonora

The Caverns of Sonora are known as the most beautiful caverns in Texas! The founder of the National Speleological Society said that it was “the most indescribably beautiful cave in the world, its beauty cannot be exaggerated, not even by a Texan.” Now, who would want to miss out on such beauty?!

These Texas caves are known for their wonderful calcite crystal formations, especially the high abundance of helictites. Helictites are formations that are curvy and angular and often seem to have grown in zero gravity conditions. The Caverns of Sonora were formed between 1.5 and 5 million years ago.

Visitors can experience these caverns in Texas through a few different style tours. You can take the Crystal Palace Tour which takes you 155 feet below the surface on a 2-mile walking tour. This tour takes you through highly decorated passages and lasts about an hour and 45 minutes long. The Discovery Challenge Tour is for those a little more adventurous as it takes you through off-trail passageways and involves repelling 50 feet down into what is called the Devil’s Pit. The Discovery Challenge Tour lasts about 4 hours and all equipment is provided. For the photographers out there, the Photography TOur is just for you. It features an unhurried photo walk-through of some of the beautifully decorated caverns and participants can bring their tripods in as well!

Those stopping by these Texas caves can spend the night at the campsite and RV park located at the Caverns of Sonora. These one-of-a-kind caverns in Texas are located in Sonora, Texas which is northwest of San Antonio.

Inner Space Cavern

One of the best caves near Dallas is Inner Space Cavern. It is located about 170 miles from Dallas near Georgetown, Texas. This cave in Texas is estimated to be 20 to 25 million years old but wasn’t discovered until 1963 by the Texas Highway Department core drilling team.

Inner Space Cavern is special in its fossils of prehistoric Ice Age animals. Fossils of a baby mammoth, giant sloth, and saber-toothed tiger have all been found in the cavern. There are just over 1.2 miles of passages open to the public for exploration.

Visitors can partake in three different tours depending on their interests and abilities. The Adventure Tour is perfect for all ages and abilities. It lasts an hour to an hour and 15 minutes and takes place on a paved trail through the most decorated rooms of the cavern. The Hidden Passages Tour is for those at an intermediate level and ages 7 and up. This tour takes guests on an undeveloped trail to explore the more rugged, intimate parts of the cave featuring more delicate formations, and lasts about an hour and a half.

If your inner spelunker is looking for the best caving in Texas, you will want to check out the Wild Cave Tour. This is an advanced tour recommended for those 13 and older. This adventurous tour lasts about 4 hours and involves hiking, climbing, and crawling through a maze of passages and chambers in the Inner Space Cavern.

You can find Inner Space Cavern, one of the best caves in Texas, just off of IH-35 off exit 295. It is on the outer edge of Texas Hill Country. You won’t want to miss out on Inner Space Cavern, one of the neatest caverns in Texas!

Westcave Outdoor Discover Center

If you are looking for caves in Texas that have a lot of extras to experience, then Westcave is one of the best Texas caves for you! It is part of the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center which features a ton of awesome natural beauty.

To experience the cave, visitors should take the Walk Through the Grotto Tour which is about an hour and 15 minutes long. It starts in the savanna, leads you through a limestone crevice, down a 100-foot staircase into a breathtaking canyon full of lush greenery. At the head of the canyon is a magnificent 40-foot waterfall that feeds the pool of the grotto along with a 1 chamber room cave. This tour allows for plenty of time to take in the beautiful sites and experience the cave!

There are also hiking trails in the Uplands of the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center that take you through Live Oak and Ashe Juniper savannas. Visitors can also enjoy birdwatching and relaxing in the pollinator garden.

Westcave is located about 45 minutes from downtown Austin in southwest Travis County. It is also only a 5-minute drive from Hamilton Pool Preserve, home to one of the best waterfalls in Texas ! You will definitely want to visit Westcave, one of the best caves in Texas!

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

Glass-Bottom Boats

Exploring Spring Lake (the headwaters of the San Marcos River) via a glass-bottom boat is a classic SMTXperience. The boats have shown visitors the view from above since the early 1950s when the site was Aquarena Springs, a popular amusement park. Spring Lake is considered one of the longest continuously inhabited sites in North America with artifacts having been discovered from every era of human inhabitation for the past 12,000 years. You'll learn all about the history of Spring Lake and the flora and fauna that calls the crystal-clear water home.

Fish, turtles, prawns, and species that can be found only in Spring Lake or the San Marcos River, like the endangered Texas Blind Salamander, can be viewed up-close in Discovery Hall. Discovery Hall also houses some of the historical artifacts discovered in the lake and interactive exhibits about the Edwards Aquifer and the Water Systems of Texas. 

The Wetlands Boardwalk is a self-guided trail that winds over the shallows and shows off the abundant plant and animal life that thrive there. 

Ticket Prices 30-minute Glass Bottom Boat Tour:  Adults: $12 Seniors(65+): $10 Children 3-12: $8 2 and Under: Free Annual Passes are available for $26.95  The annual pass covers 12 months of unlimited access to the standard 25-minute glass-bottom boat tour, 15 percent off gift shop purchases as well as 15 percent off extended, wetlands and specialty tours for up to six people. Guests of Annual Pass cardholders will also receive $2 off their boat ticket, for up to six people. Other Meadows Center Adventures Did you know you can explore Spring Lake via kayak, snorkel, or SUP? The Meadows Center offers several cool eco-tours that allow you to see the lake in a new way while also learning more about environmental stewardship and what makes this area so biodiverse.  No charge to explore the grounds of The Meadows Center Parking Lot Fee: $3.00 paid on-site at Kiosk Park Hours: 10am-4:30pm Last tour leaves at 3:30pm

To speak to someone during regular park hours call the Ticket Booth at (512) 245-7570. *Closed December 21 - 25, New Years Eve (December 31), New Years Day (January 1), January 4 - 8. 

The Meadows Center Glass Bottom Boat Tours

Head over to The Meadows Center for a very cool, and quintessential, San Marcos experience – the Glass-Bottom Boat Tour. The 30-minute tour of Spring Lake allows you to see the very bottom of the…

Spring Lake Snorkel Program

See the local flora and fauna of Spring Lake up close and personal with the Spring Lake Snorkel Program! Spring Lake is home to spring-fed waters that remain a constant 72 degrees year-round, seven…

Free Things To Do

Things to do with kids, wonder world cave, download or request free, visitors guide, sign up for our, e-newsletter.

• Destinations
• Travel Videos
• Around Houston
• Historic Forts in Texas
• Historic Sites on the Texas Gulf Coast
• Historic Homes in Texas You Must Visit
• Where to Go Stargazing in Texas
• Texas Revolution Historic Sites
• Texas State Parks in South Texas
• Texas State Parks near Abilene, Amarillo & Midland
• Texas State Parks near Austin
• Texas State Parks near Dallas
• Texas State Parks near El Paso & Big Bend
• Texas State Parks near Houston
• Texas State Parks near San Antonio
• Texas State Parks near Tyler
• Beaches of Texas
• Things to Do in Texas
• Attractions
• Featured Events
• Texas Road Trips
• Places to Stay
• Browse Free Brochures
• Shopping Cart
• Texas State Historical Sites
• Texas State Parks

Wonder World Park in San Marcos

Wonder World Park: Enjoy a guided tour and discover the nation’s only true example of an EARTHQUAKE-FORMED CAVE. Go deep underground and see up close the devastation of a major quake. Exit by the “Stratavator” and ride high into the sky to the TEJAS OBSERVATION TOWER. Be amazed by the Topsy-Turvy World of the ANTI-GRAVITY HOUSE where everything is backwards, even water flows up hill! Board the train and splash through the waterfalls of MYSTERY MOUNTAIN on your way to the TEXAS WILDLIFE PETTING PARK.

Ever explore an earthquake from deep inside the earth? Let us lead you into the Balcones Fault Line Cave; the only real earthquake cave open for viewing and an eye opener to Mother Nature’s devastating raw forces. The tour is lead by our guides trained to reveal stories of past geological eras of the Earth’s history. Fossilized prehistoric life encased in the many strata formations and huge boulders suspended mid-air are just part of the spectacular and rare sites the cave offers.

Fun Facts & Visitor Information

Q. Are there other rooms in Wonder Cave not seen during the tour? A. Yes. Exploration of these rooms would require individual flashlights, hardhats and rope.

Q. What should I wear and what should I bring to enjoy my visit at Wonder World Park? A. Our tour is a walking tour through the cave and we recommend wearing non-skid shoes. The cave is not wheel chair accessible or stroller accessible. For parents with babies and small children who are learning to walk, we recommend using a front-load baby carrier. A child tends to sit up high in back packs and may hit his head on parts of the tour.

Q. Are there any organisms indigenous to Wonder World  Cave? A. Although an occasional spider, cricket or roach may come in through the elevator shaft; the only indigenous creature is a black and white salamander.

Q. Are there bats in Wonder Cave? A. No. They have no way to get in. San Marcos does have a colony though; the Mexican Freetail bats live in the parking garage at Comanche and Vista streets on the Texas State University campus. They migrate to Mexico for the winter.

Q. What is the difference between a cave and a cavern? A. There is no difference. The cavern just refers to an especially large cave.

Q. Has there been seismic activity in the Balcones Fault zone in recent times? A. Although the Balcones Fault Zone is generally considered to be inactive, some scientists suggest the earthquakes that occurred just east of Austin in 1873 and 1902 were caused by movement along the eastern part of the fault system (Swanson, 1995). The closest earthquake to San Marcos occurred in Seguin in 1847. All of the above mentioned earthquakes had an estimated intensity of less than 5 on the Richter scale. The Seguin quake was estimated at 3.5.

Experience the Wonder

Welcome to Wonder World Park, a one-of-a-kind Theme Park, known as the 1st show cave in Texas. Visitors have enjoyed touring the Balcones Fault Line Cave for over 105 years, and now, the park has many other attractions for family fun and entertainment.

Enjoy a guided tour and discover the nation’s only true example of an EARTHQUAKE-FORMED CAVE. Go deep underground and see up close the devastation of a major quake. Exit by the “Stratavator” and ride high into the sky to the TEJAS OBSERVATION TOWER. Be amazed by the Topsy-Turvy World of the ANTI-GRAVITY HOUSE where everything is backwards, even water flows up hill! Board the train and splash through the waterfalls of MYSTERY MOUNTAIN on your way to the TEXAS WILDLIFE PETTING PARK.

Educational and fun for ALL ages, Wonder World Park Cave and Attractions is just minutes from I-35 in San Marcos between Austin and San Antonio. Gift shops, free picnic grounds, free parking and much more await your visit.

Wonder World Park Slideshow

View Wonder World Park Slideshow

Share This Page with Someone

Our message to your friend.

I thought you might be interested in this story from the Tour Texas web site:

Wonder World Park

(Your comments will appear here)

• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary menu
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Nutty Hiker Adventures

Hike Every Hike Like It Is Your Last

Wonder World Park & Cave

June 8, 2019 by Nutty Hiker Last Modified: March 3, 2022 Leave a Comment

Located near San Marcos, the Wonder World Park & Cave offers a variety of attractions for all ages any time of the year.

We decided to head out there this past September on a day when we were bored and needed something to do. Due to how late in the year it was, we pretty much had the property to ourselves, only sharing it with a couple of other families.

Attractions at Wonder World Park

The first thing on our agenda was to head into the building and buy our combo tickets. You will want to get the combo ticket (which allows you to do everything there). It’s only $26 for each adult and $17 for kids age 4-12. If you are military you get $5 off each ticket.

This is a guided tour so keep that in mind. They do not offer self-guided tours, you will be with a tour guide the entire time.

Anti-Gravity House

The tour starts at the Anti-Gravity house. Not recommended for those with vertigo or health issues. It definitely messes with your senses but it fun! It can easily be skipped; just wait outside for your group. This reminds me of the Cosmos Mystery House in South Dakota that we did.

Wonder Cave

After the Anti-Gravity house, the next stop is Wonder Cave (where Wonder World Park & Cave gets its name) where your tour guide will take you into a Balcones Fault Line Cave. This is the only real earthquake cave open for viewing.

Tejas Observation Tower

You will exit the cave via an elevator which will take you up 110 feet in the air to the Tejas Observation Tower which has a beautiful view of the scenic Hill Country and Gulf Coastal Plains of Texas.

You will end your tour with a fun little train ride through wildlife park. The train goes through Mystery Mountain which typically has a waterfall, however, due to the time of the year that we went the water had been turned off.

Make sure to buy food to feed the animals. You won’t regret it!

More Info about Wonder World Park

Always check the website for latest prices and hours which are subject to change at any time.

The entire tour takes roughly 2 hours; the cave portion is about 45 minutes of that 2 hours. I would suggest planning for about 3 hours.

Website Hours: hours differ from season to season. Check website for current operating hours Prices: Adult (13+)$25.95; Youth (4-12)$16.95; Military Adult $20.95; Military Youth $11.95; Senior Citizens (65+)$20.95 Address: 1000 Prospect St San Marcos, TX 78666; Get Directions Parking: On-site & Free Phone:   512-392-3760 Email:   [email protected]

Have your been to Wonder World Park & Cave? What did you think? Leave a comment below and let us know =)

Reader interactions, leave a comment or suggestion cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

AWARDS/ASSOCIATIONS

Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park

Updated 1 month ago

Review Highlights

“ You start with the cave tour , then do the observation tower, then the antigravity house, then the train ride. ” in 27 reviews

“ Would highly recommend getting bags of food pellets to feed the emus (don't be afraid.... ” in 25 reviews

“ My tour guide was Scarlett she was super friendly and told some very funny jokes during the tour. ” in 6 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

1000 Prospect St

San Marcos, TX 78666

Serving San Marcos Area

You Might Also Consider

Tierra Prometida Alpacas

in Walking Tours, Attraction Farms

in Party Bus Rentals, Buses

Amenities and More

5 More Attributes

About the Business

Business owner information

Business Owner

Welcome to Wonder World Park, a one-of-a-kind Theme Park, known as the 1st show cave in Texas. Visitors have enjoyed touring the Balcones Fault Line Cave for over 105 years, and now, the park has many other attractions for family fun and entertainment. Discover the nation's only true example of an earthquake formed cave on a guided tour. Go deep underground and see up close the devastation of a major quake. Exit by the "Stratavator" and ride high into the sky to the Tejas Observatory Tower. Be amazed by the Topsy-Turvy World of the Anti-Gravity House where everything is backwards, even water flows uphill! Board the train and splash through the waterfalls of Mystery Mountain on your way to the Texas Wildlife Petting Park. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Is this attraction wheelchair/disabled-friendly? I saw there was mention of an elevator but I wanted to know if it was accommodating to someone who may have difficulty walking.

The cave is definitely not wheelchair friendly. There are railings to hold on as you're walking, but most of the "stairs" are actually made of the rock and not very even. They are also slippery in places… more

Are you all closed on Tuesday's? We have actually been here since 10:30 this morning but your yelp information says it's closed today. I'm just saying.

People also searched for

Dinosaur Park

Fun Birthday Ideas

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

This place is such a gem- hasn't changed since the first time I visited over 30 years ago :) kids and adults both have a blast feeding the animals and exploring the cave!

We enjoyed our visit today. The staff was super kind and attentive. Out tour guide Javi was great and answered all my 6 year old's questions. We came during the off-season, so it was pretty chill and relaxed. I'd recommend it to families with kids 4+ who are looking for a laidback weekend activity.

Been visiting this pace for many many years. It is the kind of place that you can visit even if you are older. Take your whole family it's quite fun.

3.3 STARS! Lackluster cave in my opinion but the service was very accommodating. The staff was friendly and helpful. The cave is somewhat just a cave with not much color variations or anything that pulls you in. No crystals or amazing sights. The leave the best for last with the million old fossil pair of claims. The trip underground would be difficult for older grandma's or grandpa's so be careful as its dark, tight and wet in some areas. The observation tower is cool but you can get the same views from driving around Wimberley. The train ride is always fun for kids! If you haven't been to the drive thru zoo in Natural Bridge Caverns then this is second or third place. Plenty of animals to feed but it's a quick 10min visit. Overall, it's cool. I just wouldn't go back a second time. Enjoy!

Lots of white versions

Saturn was our tour guide and he was excellent! He was very knowledgeable, funny and patient with our 3 year old who loves nature. Highly recommend asking for Saturn to be your tour guide!

My friends and I went over the weekend to check this place out for the first time and I was actually very impressed. The cave was a lot longer, deeper, and more intense than I had imagined. Being claustrophobic and with a huge fear of being buried alive, I had to definitely work my brain magic to cool my thinking. It ended up being a great experience! What made it so great? Our tour guide ADAM. He's awesome! He was so knowledgeable and funny and made us all have a great time. Definitely request him when you go. The tower and the antigravity house are worth the extra $5 btw. Just do them. You shoot straight up to the top of the tower from the bottom of the cave which is so cool. ALSO, important note: please bring cash to tip the guides. We luckily had some cash but it would have been nice to know to bring more. So definitely remember that! Will definitely be bringing more family and friends here when they come to town. Thank you again Adam, for such a wonderfully memorable experience!

We noticed that Wonderworld was one of the only attractions open in San Marcos. We decided to take a quick road trip to check it out. It is located past Texas State University via Aquarena Springs Drive. We were the first visitors for the day. I purchased the combo ticket for us @ $25.99 each. This included their little game preserve park which had a stop to feed deer and over zealous emus lol. Wouln't recommend feeding emus from your hand it hurts lol and they're pretty aggressive when it comes to food. The second part of the tour which is the main attraction is the dry cave which was created by an ancient earthquake. I believe our tour guide Addy said that the cave was first discovered in the late 1800's for the search for fresh water. It goes approximately 180 feet down very nice and cool down there! I recommend that you stretch your legs really well before you go because the stairs are very steep and narrow. You will use those muscles believe me! The final leg of the tour was very weird which was the antigravity house. If you are prone to motion sickness and dizziness skip this part. The house is built on an 18 degree slope and once again you will need those leg muscles. If you become dizzy just look down to offset the feeling. Pretty fun to walk in. Oh I forgot after this you get to go to the observation tower. This gave you a good vantage point of the Balcones Fault line and the entire area. Nice views! Overall the visit was decent just kind of short in the cave which is the main attraction. Nice place to visit with the family and kids.

Antigravity house

This is our second trip to wonder world and the best I would say. We got fit in the schedule by the manager, A.K.A Mom. (Lol) There was a field trip so we didn't pick the best time, but they helped us make the best of it. Rylee was an amazing tour guide and had all the jokes and a laugh that would make you laugh (:. The dig bag was also a hit. Definitely might make a third trip here one day in the future.

We took about 200 kids for our non-profit group the day after Christmas and everyone had a great time--even the adult chaperones! The owner and guides handled everything with grace from initial phone call/email until the day of the field trip. All the guides were professional, funny, and knowledgeable. The park had everything for everyone, it was a very memorable day! Shoutout to Kristin and Steven for making it all happen seamlessly. Also, Saturn the cave expert. He really made the cave tour an unforgettable experience!

So happy this place was open to spend sometime with my husband. It was easy to order our tickets online and although they ask that you wear masks they are not making you. However if you're gonna touch their merchandise you MUST wear gloves. Gift Shop: it has many items geared for little people but for adults there is not much to chose from. My husband collects hats and t-shirts from places we have been too but there wasn't anything there of interest for him. I did buy however at least a magnet that had the Wonder Cave logo on, and cool tumblers that came with free refills! Staff: Awesome! awesome! awesome! Naomi was our tour guide and she was amazing we had several little families in our group and she answered all the little people's questions no matter how silly. Attractions: We did not do the Anti-Gravity house we did enjoy the ride over to see the animals. Our group (non-family) got to see a momma deer give birth to a baby deer. Feeding the animals was a lot of fun and when they say watch out for the emus lol they really mean it. The cave was amazing and spectacular, you must be super careful going through this cave with little ones. There is an elevator that takes you to the top of the Observation Tower which is completely enclosed except for the very top, very safe and cool to see. This is really cool place and fun.

See all photos from Victoria H. for Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park

24 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Lonestar Party Buses

in Limos, Party Bus Rentals

Lions Club Tube Rental

Collections Including Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park

Get outdoors with this Collection ☀️

By Yelp Austin T.

SMTX Kickin It By @Spottohitup

By Lawrence M.

San An-Homee-o

By Sarah M.

Austin Texas Time

By April D.

Austin things to do

By Johana A.

New Braunfels, TX

By Melissa G.

San Antonio/Hill Country

People Also Viewed

Natural Bridge Caverns

Wimberley Zipline Adventures

ZDT’s Amusement Park

The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment

McKenna Children’s Museum

Animal World & Snake Farm

Unchartered Adventures

Morgan’s Wonderland

The Haunted Magnolia Hotel

Canyon Lake Gorge

Best of San Marcos

Things to do in San Marcos

People found Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park by searching for…

Top 10 Adult Fun in San Marcos

Top 10 Fun Birthday Ideas in San Marcos

Top 10 Indoor Childrens Activities in San Marcos

Top 10 Indoor Playground in San Marcos

Top 10 Kids Activities in San Marcos

Top 10 Kids Birthday Party in San Marcos

Top 10 Petting Zoo in San Marcos

Top 10 Science Museum in San Marcos

Top 10 Teen Activities in San Marcos

Top 10 Tourist Attractions in San Marcos

Top 10 Wildlife Safari in San Marcos

Top 10 Wimberley Tx in San Marcos

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Things to Do

Other Places Nearby

Find more Amusement Parks near Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park

Find more Tours near Wonder World Cave and Adventure Park

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

Twelve Mile Circle – An Appreciation of Unusual Places

Wonder World Park

San marcos, hays county, texas, usa (march 2007).

Wonder World Park contained several attractions in one compact area, including a cave; an observation tower, an “anti-gravity” house, and a wild animal park. It also included a gift shop and a snack bar. Tickets could be purchased for the entire tour or for individual portions.

Wonder Cave

The underlying rock surrounding Wonder Cave formed at the bottom of a vast sea during the Cretaceous Period when dinosaurs roamed the earth, about 100 million years ago. The fossilized remains of ancient clams remained entombed in the cavern rooftop.

An earthquake several million years ago along the Balcones Fault caused rock to slide and separate, and resulted in an underground fissure that today is called Wonder Cave. This is a dry cave created instantly by a single calamitous event rather than by water dripping slowly over millennia, so don’t expect to see stalactites and stalagmites. Even so chambers are large and impressive. The cavern sat undiscovered until 1893 when a local resident digging a well lost a drill bit that punctured the cavity. The cave began operating as a tourist attraction by 1903.

A Geological and Geographical Divide

Wonder Cave straddles the Balcones Escarpment, the line that separates a broad coastal plain rising up from the Gulf of Mexico from the famous Texas Hill Country. It marked the ancient edge of North America. More recently it marked a cultural divide between the antebellum traditions of the Deep South and the cowboy lifestyle of the Old West: cotton versus cattle. Cavern visitors 100 feet below ground can touch both worlds simultaneously with outstretched arms.

Observation Tower

An elevator whisked visitors from deep within the cavern to the top of a 110-foot observation tower with panoramic views of San Marcos. The vista in this image points approximately northeast. The flat Gulf Coastal Plain dominates the right side of the photo. The Balcones line runs through the red roof (entrance to Wonder Cave) to the tall buildings on the horizon (Texas State University – San Marcos). The Texas Hill Country begins on the left.

Moving Right Along

The tour proceeded through an “anti-gravity” house. This was a structure built at an angle to create an optical illusion. It made it seem like people were leaning over rather than the building. I didn’t get any decent photos though.

Next the guide led sightseers to a little train for the final part of the tour. It was actually a small tractor outfitted to look like a train hauling carriages but our young kids couldn’t tell the difference. They just liked going for a ride. The train traveled a short distance across the street and through a man-made tunnel into the Wild Animal Park.

Among the Animals

The Wild Animal Park contained most of the usual suspects, mainly deer and various large birds. Deer walked boldly up to the train in search of treats and handouts. The train stopped to allow kids to feed the animals from their hands. It’s not like some petting zoos where visitors can walk freely among the animals, but the train did get pretty close to them. It chugged its way through the rest of the park and returned to the parking lot.

The entire Wonder World tour took about two hours and involved four very different activities. This artifact of roadside Americana felt like a throwback an earlier age before the dominance of large corporate theme parks and all-inclusive resort destinations. It helped fill an otherwise idle afternoon and our toddler and preschooler enjoyed it.

Twelve Mile Circle

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Comments

To quote from the article: “But you say you want a more comprehensive explanation in excruciating detail? Actually nobody every…

County lines are marked and I have never seen the E.S.T. sign. Couldn’t you just said mile marker 60 or…

I am a grandchild of Jury and David Adams of BoBo Tx Shelby County we still have the family home…

I’m familiar with one true and one false example in Arkansas. Center Point, Howard County was the original county seat…

I have many memories of helping my father (Boogie) doing the drywall in many of the homes built in Rotonda…