Discover Longhorn Cavern State Park in Burnet, TX

sreinke9
May 30
2 min read

Nestled in Burnet, TX, Longhorn Cavern State Park offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and rich history. Whether drawn by science, history, or sheer wonder, those who enter this otherworldly realm quickly understand why Longhorn Cavern is proudly known as the National Cave of Texas and invites visitors to explore its underground wonders. You can find your ideal upscale lodging nearby in Marble Falls, TX, at Hidden Falls Inn, the only waterfront hotel on Lake Marble Falls!

Marvel at the Natural Wonders in Longhorn Cavern State Park

In the charming Longhorn Cavern State Park lies one of the most remarkable natural wonders in the Texas Hill Country. Longhorn Cavern was naturally carved by the persistent forces of time and water. Once the path of an ancient subterranean river, this extraordinary cave showcases its history through smooth, sculpted walls and magnificent chambers, such as the exquisite "Hall of Marble." The steady drip of carbonic acid shaped these features over millions of years. The cavern maintains a perfectly cool temperature of 68 degrees. These conditions create an ideal year-round haven for the tri-colored bat, which hibernates from fall to spring.

Step Into a World of Rich American History

Longhorn Cavern State Park is not just a geological marvel, but it is also a place where the echoes of the past still linger. In the 1930s, scientists discovered that prehistoric Texans used the cavern as a “trap cave,” luring animals over its entrance to gather meat, hides, and bones from mastodons, bison, grizzly bears, and deer. The cavern’s chert deposits, sedimentary rocks, were also important for making tools and weapons, a practice that continued through the Comanche era and early Texas settlement.

Civilian Conservation Corps Company 854 shaped what we now know as Longhorn Cavern State Park from 1934 to 1940. Young men cleared over 3,000 truckloads of debris and built visitor facilities and Scenic Park Road 4, turning a hidden natural wonder into a popular state park. Designated a National Natural Landmark in 1971, Longhorn Cavern spans 645 rugged acres. Filled with rich history from the Civil War-era gunpowder mining and outlaw treasure tales, to its use as a 1920s underground dance hall. Each chamber reflects the fascinating stories and influences of those who shaped the cavern.