Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio, TX

What should I wear?

Regardless of the outside temperature and weather, the cavern is a constant 70 degrees with a relative humidity of 99% that makes it feel more like 80 degrees. They recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes with good traction as the trails are steep and wet. Most visitors are comfortable in shorts and a t-shirt while inside the cavern. For Twisted Trails, no flip-flops or open heeled shoes are allowed, and skirts/dresses are not permitted (unless you are wearing shorts or pants under it).

Are strollers allowed?

They encourage strollers to help families navigate the park, but they are not permitted on the Hidden Passages Tour due to the 185 steps. Strollers are not recommended on the Discovery Tour due to the restrictive bends of the natural cavern passages and four sections of stairs (the longest flight consists of 35 steps up) as well as the strenuous nature of the actual tour. Stroller parking is available while on the Cavern Tour.

Are the caverns wheelchair accessible?

Much of the access to the Caverns depends on the level of mobility for members of your party. The tours are an all walking tour down 180 feet and back up. While they do not restrict guest access on the cavern tours, they do not advise the use of devices (wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, etc.) due to the restrictive bends of the natural cavern passages, and the strenuous nature of the actual tour. Please be aware that you may need to carry both the person and their equipment through sections of the tour. Thw Visitors' Center, Discovery Village Mining Company, Maze, and Butterfly Gardens and viewing areas are all accessible for guests with mobility restrictions. DISCOVERY TOUR: Stairs are present in four locations on the Discovery Tour, the longest flight consists of 35 steps up. The final climb out of the Discovery Tour starts at 135 feet below the surface. HIDDEN PASSAGES: The Hidden Passages tour as accessed by all stairs, which is 185 stair steps.

May I bring my camera/tripod/selfie stick/GoPro/Drone?

Cameras—While on cavern tours, snapshot photography is permitted, providing you stay with your tour group and do not lag behind. Please be mindful that the tour will be moving through the cave so there is limited time to compose a photo. Flash photography is allowed inside the caverns so long as the flash is not used to photograph wildlife. Due to high humidity, many times a flash will illuminate the water vapor in the air, so if you see this "ghosting" effect, try to limit your use of flash. Tripods—The tour will be moving through the cave so there is limited time to compose a photo. For this reason, tripod and monopods are not recommended. Selfie sticks are not permitted on the cavern tours or Twisted Trails. Go Pros—Permitted across the property and on cavern tours. However, on Twisted Trails only chest mounted, wrist strapped, or helmet mounted Go Pros (you must provide your own helmet) are allowed and are subject to inspection prior to participation. Loose items are not permitted on Twisted Trails and all pockets must be emptied. Drones—To protect and ensure the safety of the visitors, Natural Bridge Caverns strictly prohibits the use of model aircraft and drones over any part of the park. Commercial rights of all photographs and video remain the property on Natural Bridge Caverns, Inc.

Do you have a place to eat at the park?

Quench your thirst and satisfy your appetite with hand-dipped ice cream, candy, fresh-squeezed lemonade, beer, wine and other tasty treats at Big Daddy's Sweets, Treats and Brew – the old-fashioned general store named for Harry Heidemann, one of Natural Bridge Caverns' principle founders and developers. Or inside the Visitor Center, check out the Cavern Café offering hot and delicious pizza, tender chicken strips, burgers, fries, hot dogs, chips, and more! They have multiple picnic areas where you can bring snacks or a lunch to enjoy. Picnic table seating is first-come, first-serve. Please note that no storage facilities for coolers are available on or around the grounds. For health and safety reasons, all outside food or drinks must remain outside in the picnic areas. No outside food or drinks are permitted in the indoor dining areas. In the conservation efforts, they do not allow drinks (other than water) food, gum, tobacco or smoking (including vapor cigarettes) in the caverns. However, if a visitor needs to bring a small, unopened pack of food for health purposes they can get it approved by the Admissions Office.