Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Things to Do

The park offers picnic sites, camping, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, cave tours, and evening bat flight viewing during the season.

Interesting features of the park include 20 known caves, two of which are large enough to be significant. Kickapoo Cavern is approximately 0.25 miles in length (1,400 feet) and boasts some impressive formations. Tours are offered on Saturdays by reservation. Stuart Bat Cave (formally Green Cave), slightly shorter than Kickapoo at 1,068 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 an 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.

Tours

Wild  cave tours are scheduled every other 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, and all participants must sign a liability release and bring sturdy hiking or walking shoes, as well as two light sources per person. Some age restrictions may apply. Unauthorized entry into the caves at the park is prohibited. Potential tour participants should contact the park for reservations and more information. Check the calendar of events or contact the park for additional dates and events. Specialized group tours and events may be arranged by contacting the park.

Equipment Rentals

The park loans out binoculars.

Ranger Programs

Staff-guided tours of Kickapoo Cavern are on a prearranged basis only and tour fees are charged. Because the cave is in an undeveloped state and is moderately strenuous, a signed, dated liability release is required of each visitor participating in the tour. Individuals must bring their own lighting for use in the cave, as it is not provided by the park. When making reservations, be sure to ask what appropriate gear and clothing are needed for the cave tours. Stuart Bat Cave bat flight observations are scheduled in early April through mid-October.

Check the calendar for upcoming events and programs.

• Interpretive Guide to Kickapoo Cavern State Park
• The Texas Speleological Association (TSA) volunteers to explore, map and survey caves. The TSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation, conservation and protection of Texas caves. TSA has members all over the state.

Area Attractions

Nearby attractions include Garner State Park, South Llano River State Park, Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site, Devils River State Natural Area, Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area, Lost Maples State Natural Area and Amistad National Recreation Area.