Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Introduction of Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Even the most ardent Texan would reluctantly acknowledge that there is not much to see west of San Antonio. One of the most famous exceptions to this general norm is Kickapoo Cavern State Park. There are delights for your family to discover both above and below ground. The park officially opened in 1991, but it wasn’t until 2010 that it became fully operational.

About twenty underground caves have been discovered here thus far by researchers and explorers. The size of two of them allows for exploration. There are 18 miles of undesignated side paths and 14 kilometres of approved hiking trails throughout the park. Along with a number of other daily activities, visitors often enjoy bird watching. A little later, down in the heart of Texas, the stars are truly huge and beautiful at night.

Only a short drive separates this oasis of tranquilly and thrilling new worlds from Texas’ most populous cities. Additionally, while the RV park is lovely, it is also somewhat tiny. So book your accommodations, load up your vehicle, and head out.

Robertsville State Park Camping

There are two campsites in Kickapoo State Park that are reserved for tent and trailer camping. There are 184 campsites here, and half of them have electrical hookups. There is a dump station for your RV in the park as well. You can only remain for 14 days out of every 30 at this place. Although senior citizens and disabled veterans receive discounts, RV camping spaces cost roughly $25 per day.

• Water hookup: Yes

• Electrical hookup: Yes (selected sites)

• Sewer hookup: Yes

• Pet-friendly: Yes

• Other amenities: Hiking trails, picnic areas, boat launch access

Kickapoo Cavern State Park Activities

Mountain Biking

The cave that bears the park’s name, Kickapoo Cavern, is well recognised. The bicycle path that around the Park is less well known. Take this dirt road south and then east from the same parking area where you would enter the cave to reach Ranch to Market Road 674, which is the edge of the park. The trail is paved as you proceed north along the range road from that point on, then west back into the park, then south to your starting position. Bikers of all skill levels will find the three different hills along this path to be a genuine test, however a beginner may find it a little too difficult. 

Hiking 

On the Southern Edwards Plateau, there are 6,368.4 acres in the park. In addition to touring the Kickapoo Cavern, there are several clearly defined hiking routes with a variety of scenery. Tommy Seargeant, who gave the land to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and was a steadfast supporter of creating this park, is honoured by having one route bear his name: the Seargeant Memorial Trail. This specific route is three quarters of a mile long, begins close to the campsite, travels through stream beds and ridges, ends at an overlook with breathtaking views of the park’s hills and valleys, and then returns to a spot close to the trailhead. The additional routes provide a variety of terrain and lengths for walkers of all experience levels.

Birding-watching

Kickapoo is a fantastic place to see animals. Along with the bats, visitors travel from all around to witness the numerous birds that reside here, including the black-capped vireo and golden-cheeked warbler, two endangered species. Half of the bird species reported in the whole state of Texas—240 species—have been identified inside the confines of the park. The Montezuma quail, the grey vireo, and the variegated bunting are some more unusual species that may be found in this area. Woodpeckers, flycatchers, swallows, tanagers, and orioles are among the other birds you can view. Every year, April until the end of the summer is the greatest period to see birds in this area.

Caverns

There are 20 recognised caves in the park, two of which are remarkable in size, and there are other fascinating features as well. The first is the aforementioned Stuart Bat Cave, and the second is Kickapoo Cavern, which bears the name of the park. A quarter-mile long Kickapoo Cavern is home to some magnificent stalactites and stalagmites, including the tallest natural column structure in Texas and the biggest cave formation in the whole state. With reservations, tours of this cave are available every Saturday at 1 p.m. It is a fairly challenging subterranean trekking trip that is in an underdeveloped stage. Explorers are required to carry two light sources per person and to use strong hiking or walking shoes. It is forbidden to enter any of the caverns without permission.

 Bats

From the middle of March to the end of October each year, thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats live in the 1,068-foot-deep Stuart Bat Cave. During this time of year, park visitors may observe the bats emerging from the cave each evening. As they go out to forage for insects, they circle and fly out in a magnificent, spinning mass that resembles a black tornado. Every day, a bat may consume up to three-quarters of its body weight in insects, including annoyances like moths and mosquitoes. Up to 10 tonnes of insects might be eaten each night by the inhabitants of this single cave.

Kickapoo Cavern State Park Location

On 624, travel 23 miles north from Brackettville. Drive roughly two miles to the park headquarters after turning left at the Kickapoo Cavern State Natural Area sign. From here, guided trips to the cave depart.
23 miles north of Brackettville, on the border of Kinney and Edwards counties, is Kickapoo Caverns State Natural Area. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased the 25.9 km2 (6,408 acres) land, formerly known as the Seargeant Ranch, in December 1986. The park is home to fourteen little caverns, but only Kickapoo Cavern is accessible to the general public. Kickapoo Caverns State Natural Area manages The Devil’s Sinkhole, which is also owned by Texas Parks & Wildlife Department and is situated in Edwards County east of Rocksprings.

Public Transport

Public transport is  available for Kickapoo Cavern State Park .

Parking

Parking is available for Kickapoo Cavern State Park.