Caverns of Sonora, Sonora, Texas - Cave and Tourist Attraction

The Caverns of Sonora is located on Interstate 10 half-way between Big Bend National Park and San Antonio Texas and approximately 15 miles southwest of Sonora in Texas. This visitor attraction is open daily throughout the year apart from Christmas Day. Hours of opening are 9am to 5pm between the start of September and end of February, and 8am to 6pm between March and Labor Day.

The cavern has been designated as a National Natural Landmark since 1966 and is one of the most active caves in the world with over 95% of its formations still growing. Openings were discovered by chance when a dog chased a raccoon into a 20 inch opening, prompting locals to begin exploring the cave in the early 1920s and head about 500 feet from the entrance to a fifty-foot deep pit. It wasn't until 1955 when cavers discovered bizarre formations, which encouraged development of the cavern in 1959 to preserve it for future generations, and a year later it was opened to the public for the first time.

Guided walking tours are offered at the cavern, which has approximately 360 stair steps and can reach a temperature of 71 degrees, but with a 98 percent humidity level this feels more like 85 degrees. Visitors are welcome to bring cameras on all the tours, but they will not be allowed to bring camera bags, purses, backpacks, containers, food and drink, gum or tobacco products into the cave. Pets are not permitted either but on site kennels are provided free of charge.

Specialty tours are also offered including a four hour Discovery Challenge Adventure, in which an experienced caver takes participants through a maze of passageways, leading to a 50 foot descent in to the Devil's Pit. Experienced guides can also lead visitors on photo tours of the caves, where photographers can bring tripods and other photography equipment with them as they are shown around every developed trail. Two group tours are available too, which cover one or two miles and provides visitors with a history of the cave.

Staff at the cavern provide an education service with various workshops organized in the caves including the Underground Classroom, which offers activities such as a fossil dig and caving adventure as well as a slide show discussing aspects of the cavern's make-up. Alternatively safety classes are offered on how to use caving equipment including using vertical caving gear to climb a rope for about 40 feet. Visitors can also try their hand at cave orienteering or gemstone panning.

There are 48 campsites at the RV Park and Tent Campground with water, electricity, clean restrooms and showers. Visitors can buy souvenirs at the gift shop, which was built in 1961 and is a ranch barn design with exposed oak beams. Goods to be found here include sterling silver and gemstone jewelry, handcrafted stoneware, unique rocks, minerals, and fossil specimens from around the world, and visitors can also try the fresh cream and butter fudge made here.