Longhorn Cavern State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Longhorn Cavern State Park covers a shade less than 650 acres, and it's been a national landmark since 1971. The State of Texas acquired the park between the years of 1932 and 1937. The cave itself has been there for millions of years. Even before the human species began to walk upright, the people of those prehistoric times used the cave for shelter. European colonists didn't find the cave until the 19th century. The Confederate Army harvested the bat guano from the cave to make gunpowder during the Civil War. Despite the stifling temperatures throughout most of the year, the interior of the cavern stays at a constant 68 F.
Spring 72-84 F
Summer 91-95 F
Fall 70-87 F
Winter 37-72 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Longhorn Cavern State Park
There are no camping facilities of any kind in Longhorn Cavern State Park.
What to Do at
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Enjoy a tour of the cavern as you delve 136 feet down into the Earth. Take a short hike on one of the trails. Or, drive west to do some fishing on the Colorado River.
Hiking
The trails in Longhorn Cavern State Park are flat, easy, and short. One of them is only 200 feet long! The longest of the trails is the Longhorn Cavern Nature Trail, a 1-mile loop through the scrub terrain of the park. There are four other trails in the park, the longest of which is just 0.6 miles. These trails connect with one another, and there are maps available. If you visit during the summer, then the temperature on hot days can surpass 100 F. Therefore, it's essential for you to have enough water with you so that you can hike safely. The minimum amount at that temperature is two gallons of water per person per hour that you spend hiking.
Flora and Fauna
Despite the near-desert conditions, there are birds aplenty in the park, so bring along your binoculars and camera. Common species include black-chinned hummingbirds, coots, and several species of swallows. Rare sightings occur about once a year, and if you're lucky, then you can see green kingfishers, soras, and peregrine falcons. There are even rarer sightings of snow geese, golden eagles, and anhingas. These ultra-rare sightings occur about once every 10 years in this part of Texas.
Fishing
It's only a 3-mile drive or so to the shores of the Colorado River where you can fish for largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, white bass, carp, gar, freshwater drum, and catfish.
Boating
Again, the nearby Colorado River lets you use your boats or rent one from several businesses in and around the village of Kingsland. All people born after 1993 need a license to operate a boat in Texas. Passengers can be of any age, but to operate a boat, you must be 21 years old. If you rent jet skis for your family, then the drivers of the jetskis must be at least 18 years old.
How to Get to
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Proceed to Austin. From there, take Route 290 west. Then, follow Route 71 northwest. Then, follow Route 281 north to Park Road No. 4 South. Take that west to the park.
Entering Longhorn Cavern State Park
It's usually best to enter the park in your vehicle, particularly during the summer because of the temperature. The park and cavern are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily. Longhorn Cavern State Park's website warns that attempting to enter the park on foot after the gates are closed is considered trespassing. Because it is a day-use park only, there are parking lots where you can leave your RV. Although some of the trails are accessible, the visitor facilities and the cavern itself are not.
Longhorn Cavern State Park Entry Fee : $0.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Longhorn Cavern State Park
If you're going to the park to experience the cavern tour, then any time of the year is good to visit. If you want to experience the park itself, then any time other than summer is best because it won't be as hot.
Other than the many species of flying birds, you can see tricolored bats both in the cave and occasionally outside it. While walking the trails, you can see deer, wild turkeys, and smaller animals, including lizards and occasional snakes. Juniper trees provide a modicum of shade, and one of the wildflowers that grow beneath them is the bluebonnet.
No, there are no camping spots at all in Longhorn Cavern State Park.
There are no overnight camping spots in the park.
Yes, you may bring your pets. They must either stay in your vehicle or be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Other than service animals, pets are not allowed in buildings or on the cavern tour. You must clean up after your pets.