(
Texas State Parks Need Your Help
Please see this special message
from Executive Director Carter Smith »
Kickapoo Cavern State Park
P O Box 705
Brackettville TX 78832
830/563-2342
History: Kickapoo Cavern State Park, formerly the Seargeant Ranch, is located approximately 22 miles north of Brackettville straddling the Kinney/Edwards county line. It comprises 6,368.4 acres of the southern Edwards Plateau. It was acquired in December 1986, and was opened to the public on a limited basis in 1991.
Daily access to the park became available on June 1st, 2010 after over 20 years of restricted access. There are 20 campsites, most with water or water nearby. We anticipate installing electricity in some of these campsites, pending design and funding. Restroom facilities are centrally located with one shower on each side. Development of trails and facilities will continue. The park abounds with wildlife including song birds, armadillos, turkey, ringtails, bobcats, deer, Mexican free-tailed bats in season, and many other species of wildlife can be observed.
On June 12th, 2010, a new ¾ of a mile trail was opened and dedicated as the Seargeant Memorial Trail. This trail starts near the campground and transverses creek beds and ridges to reach an overlook with spectacular views of hills and valleys in the park, and then continues to near the original trailhead. A plaque honoring Tommy Seargeant, who sold the land to TPWD and was a strong supporter of developing this park, will soon be erected at the overlook. A shade structure will also be built on this overlook for an enjoyable place to rest and relax in a natural setting.
Activities: The park offers picnic sites, camping, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, and evening bat flight viewing during the season. Primitive tours of Kickapoo Cavern are scheduled every Saturday and require reservations. This guided wild cave tour requires fair hiking ability, bringing two light sources per person, sturdy hiking or walking shoes, and signing a liability release for all participants. Some age restrictions may apply. Unauthorized entry into the caves at the park is prohibited. Potential visitors can contact the park or check the Events listing for additional dates and events. Specialized group tours and events may be arranged by contacting the park.
Interesting features of the park include 20 known caves, two of which are large enough to be significant. Kickapoo Cavern is approximately .25 mile in length (1400 feet). It boasts some impressive formations and tours are offered on Saturdays, by reservation. Stuart Bat Cave (formally Green Cave), slightly shorter than Kickapoo at 1068 feet, serves as a migratory stopover for large numbers of Mexican free-tailed bats from mid-March to about the end of October. Bat flights are often spectacular, and public observations are available with entrance permit. To protect this valuable resource and for your safety, please read and follow all rules and regulations and use caution as conditions change on a daily basis. Unauthorized entrance into caves is prohibited. Birding opportunities abound in this area. Park facilities include 14 miles of mountain biking trails, and 18 miles of undesignated hiking and birding trails.
Stuart Bat Cave bat flight observations.
Tours: Primitive tours of Kickapoo Cavern are scheduled every Saturday and require reservations. The cave is in an undeveloped state and is a moderately strenuous underground hiking adventure. This guided wild cave tour requires fair hiking ability, bringing two light sources per person, sturdy hiking or walking shoes, and signing a liability release for all participants. Some age restrictions may apply. Unauthorized entry into the caves at the park is prohibited. Potential tour participants should contact the park for reservation and more information. Check the Events listing or contact the park for additional dates and events. Specialized group tours and events may be arranged by contacting the park.
Watch
YouTube video of the Park.- Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
- The Texas Speleological Association (TSA) is interested in volunteering to explore, map and survey caves. The TSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, conservation and protection of Texas caves. TSA has members all over the state.
- More Information on outdoor activities from the Experience Texas page.
Area Attractions: Nearby attractions include Garner State Park, South Llano River State Park, Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site; Devils River, Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area, Lost Maples State Natural Area, and Amistad National Recreation Area.
Natural Features: Topography tends to reflect that of the Texas Hill Country; however, there are no active springs or permanent surface waters on the property. Vegetation on the park consists of a mixture of live oak, juniper, Texas persimmon, and mountain laurel, some mesquite, as well as large stands of pinyon pine.
There is a diverse assemblage of wildlife in the park. Some of the mammals more commonly seen include whitetail deer, raccoon, ringtail, gray fox, rock squirrel, porcupine, rabbit, and various other rodents. Bird diversity is quite good. A large variety of migratory birds nest or fly through the area from spring to fall. The park has become popular for locating hard-to-find species such as Gray vireo, Varied bunting, and Montezuma quail. Kickapoo Cavern State Park is home to one of the largest breeding populations, on state owned lands, of the endangered Black-capped vireo. Various uncommon species of reptiles and amphibians live in the park, including the Barking frog, Mottled rock rattlesnake, and Texas alligator lizard.
Bat Facts:
- All bats are very important to the environment.
- Nectar drinking bats help to pollinate certain plants. The giant Saguaro cactus and many other night-blooming desert plants would cease to exist without their help.
- Fruit eating bats help rainforests grow by spreading seeds through their droppings.
- Insect eating bats act as a natural pest control agent to the agricultural community and decrease the need for spraying harmful pesticides on crops.
More information on wildlife mentioned here:
Elevation: Elevation on the park ranges from 1580' to 2002.'
Rainfall: Approximately 18" annually.
Weather: Typical of the South Edwards Plateau; January Average low
temperature: mid 30s; July average high temperature: mid 90s
Schedule: The park is open Thursday - Monday for day use and overnight visitation; it is closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays. Fees are collected at the main office, 3.2 miles down the main paved road, during office hours. An Iron Ranger is located near the entrance for collection of after hour entrance fees. Unauthorized entry into the caves at the park is prohibited. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
Directions: The park is reached by taking US Highway 90 west out of Uvalde, then taking Ranch Road 674 north of Brackettville for 22 miles. Look for signs on the Highway. The gate is 1/4 mile past the Edwards County line on the west side of the highway. More detailed directions may be obtained when visitors call to make reservations.
Current conditions can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.
