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Texas’ largest cavern showcases multi-million dollar expansion
The largest cavern in Texas has opened its newest and most ambitious tour: Hidden Wonders.
After millions of dollars invested in design, construction, and guest experience, Natural Bridge Caverns opened its most ambitious guest experience yet.
Already the state’s largest and most visited commercial cave, it features a state-of-the-art sound and light show, and expansion into unseen areas of Hidden Cavern.
Development has been underway since 2017.
The Hidden Cavern is a second cavern at Natural Bridge Caverns and part of the same geologic system.
“Our goal is to give visitors a view of the cavern like never before, without impacting its beauty,” said Brad Wuest, President of Natural Bridge Caverns.
“Developing this tour has been challenging due to the depth of the new public tour area.”
The expansion required the construction of a 710-feet exit tunnel.
It includes a stainless steel bridge across the cavern’s deepest point allowing guests to tour through an area previously accessible only to cavers.
It showcases an underground canyon, more formations, and a large dome chamber called the Ballroom, which serves as an event space.
A new viewing area called the Box Canyon is now a natural theater for a unique sound and light show finale.
Exiting the tour includes a ride from underground to the surface by Belt Assisted Transport.
The BAT is the world’s first conveyor system ride out of a cavern.
It represents a completely new visitor experience in the Historic National Natural Landmark.
“We plan to showcase the science behind the beauty of this once hidden cavern on our tour,” Wuest said.
“With Hidden Wonders’ many enhancements we have an opportunity to both educate and entertain.”
Natural Bridge Caverns was discovered in 1960 by local cavers and is family owned and operated.
In addition to various tour experiences, it has above-ground adventures such as a ropes course, zip rails, a 5,000 square feet outdoor maze, and an interactive ‘gem panning’ activity.
Located near San Antonio, TX, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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