FAQ
Get answers to our most frequently asked questions.
General Questions
Are tour reservations required?
Do you offer discounts? How do I use my Texas State Parks pass?
Click Here for more information on discounts for:
- Active/retired military and veterans,
- Schools, scouts, and groups,
- Texas State Parks Pass & Texas Parklands Passport holders
All discounts must be applied using a Promo Code on the Cart Summary/Payment page of your checkout. A Promo Code cannot be combined with any other discounts. Proof of status is required upon arrival or the discount will be removed and the new balance collected. See individual discounts for details.
Do cavern tours operate when it’s raining?
What’s the temperature and humidity of the cavern?
How should I dress for the Cavern Walking Tour?
Are there restrooms in the cavern?
Is there camping at Longhorn Cavern State Park?
Longhorn Cavern State Park is a day-use-only park. There are no individual or group campgrounds onsite. The nearest State Park campground is at our sister park, Inks Lake State Park , located six miles north on Park Road 4.
May I enter the park grounds after hours?
What else is there to do at Longhorn Cavern State Park?
Longhorn Cavern State Park is more than a beautiful cavern. Located atop Backbone Ridge, a small chain of beautiful limestone hills, Longhorn Cavern State Park has plenty of activities to fill your day:
- The Civilian Conservation Corps discovered crystals, fossils, and more inside Longhorn Cavern. Make your own discoveries in our gemstone mining sluice.
- Take a leisurely hike along the Backbone Ridge trail system, then enjoy a picnic lunch under an old grove of Hill Country trees.
- Admire the classic “parkitecture” style of our original buildings, constructed in the 1930s by the CCC.
- Take in a 360-degree view of the Texas Hill Country—including the nearby Falkenstein Castle—from the historic CCC Observation Tower.
- Crack your own geode! Discovery the hidden crystals inside nature's mystery box.
Is hunting allowed at Longhorn Cavern State Park?
Texas Parks & Wildlife sponsors annual drawn hunts on the Inks Lake State Park/Longhorn Cavern State Park complex. These hunts typically occur during November, December, and January and do not affect regular park operations. Contact Texas Parks & Wildlife for more information.
Accessibility & Service Animals
Are the cavern and visitor facilities wheelchair accessible?
Due to the historic nature of Longhorn Cavern State Park, our visitor facilities and cavern walkways are not wheelchair accessible. Refer to Wheelchair Accessibility at Parks for a list of Texas State Parks with accessible features.
Are service and emotional support animals allowed in the buildings or on the tours?
Only trained service animals as defined by the ADA are permitted to enter the cavern or park buildings. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as an animal that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
Because emotional support animals have not been trained to perform a specific job or task, these animals DO NOT qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Additionally, if a particular service animal is out of control and the handler does not take effective action to control it, or if the animal is not housebroken, the handler will be required to remove the animal from the premises.
For more information, refer to Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA.
Are pets allowed at Longhorn Cavern State Park?
Children & Infants
Are children allowed on the Cavern Walking Tour?
Children of all ages are welcome on the Cavern Walking Tour. While most children have a great time on tour, every child responds differently to dark, enclosed environments and some children may not be comfortable in the cave. In addition, there are no restrooms in the cavern.
Parents should evaluate their child's energy level and ability to complete the tour before purchasing tickets. Please be aware of how your child is responding throughout the tour. You may be asked to end your tour early if your child is noticeably upset or becomes disruptive to other guests. Refunds will not be given after the tour leaves Crystal City.
For your children's safety, please keep them close and on the path when touring the cavern.
Are strollers and other infant carriers allowed in the cavern?
Once inside the cavern, the pathway is mostly paved and level. Strollers with pneumatic tires have the easiest time navigating the tour route — umbrella strollers are not recommended. Due to low ceiling clearance in parts of the cave, be mindful of infants and children riding high in backpacks.
Are children allowed on the Wild Cave Tour?
Children must be at least 8 years old to participate in the Wild Cave Tour. Additionally, all Wild Cave Tour participants younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a participating parent, guardian, or responsible adult.
Can children visit the park or cavern without an adult?
Per Texas Parks & Wildlife regulations, guests younger than 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or responsible adult at all times. This applies to above and below-ground areas of the park.
Additionally, all Wild Cave Tour participants younger than 18 years old must be accompanied by a participating parent, guardian, or responsible adult.
Groups
How do I make a booking for a group tour?
Longhorn Cavern State Park offers private group tours for K-12 schools, colleges and universities, scout troops, churches, community organizations, and more. Private groups receive discounted tour prices and a dedicated tour guide. A valid Texas Sales & Use Tax Exemption Certificate is required at the time of booking for all tax-exempt groups. Learn more about Group bookings here.
Production & Rental
Do I need a permit and insurance for commercial photography or film production at Longhorn Cavern State Park?
Yes. All commercial photographers and film productions working at Longhorn Cavern State Park must have a permit and a minimum $1,000,000 general liability insurance policy. (Note: This is more than the $500,000 minimum coverage normally required by Texas Parks & Wildlife.) These requirements apply even if the output of these sessions/shoots is for non-commercial use.
Commercial photography or film production that occurs outside of regular business hours or interferes with daily park operations is also subject to facility rental fees. See the Facility Rental page for more information.
Permits are not required for news media. News media requests should be submitted through this website's Contact form.
How do I host a wedding or special event at Longhorn Cavern State Park?
Contact Us with the details of your event. If you need immediate assistance, please call the park visitor center at (512) 715-9000.
If you’re looking for a Group tour instead, go here.
If your event includes photography or videography, all commercial photographers and film productions working at Longhorn Cavern State Park must have a permit and a minimum $1,000,000 general liability insurance policy.
Note: This is more than the $500,000 minimum coverage normally required by Texas Parks & Wildlife. These requirements apply even if the output of these sessions/shoots is for non-commercial use.
Commercial photography or film production that occurs outside of regular business hours or interferes with daily park operations is also subject to facility rental fees. See the Facility Rental page for more information.
Permits are not required for news media. News media requests should be submitted through this website's general Contact form.