The Rare Underground Waterfall In Texas You’ll Have To See To Believe
We have quite a few waterfalls here in Texas, but none are quite this unique. Hiding below Cascade Caverns in Boerne is a roaring underground stream that most people don’t even know exists. Check it out:
First dedicated as a show cave in 1932, Cascade Caverns truly looks like something from another planet. Its name comes from the seven waterfalls that used to flow through its chambers, six of which dried up in the 1950s during a particularly bad drought. Even though only one remains, it's still the only underground falls in Texas.
Visitors descend 132 feet below ground level on a seemingly never-ending staircase. Wildlife such as crickets, beetles, bats, and a salamander that can't be found anywhere else in the world make the otherwise monotonous trip down a bit more interesting.
You'll spend about an hour exploring the ancient corridors, all the while being fed invaluable information by a knowledgeable tour guide. Learn all about the cave's initial formation, all the different geological wonders throughout its passages, and how a waterfall is able to flow underground. It's 64 degrees year-round, a perfect escape from the unrelenting Texas summertime heat.
While the falls aren't active every day, evidence of their existence has left a permanent mark on the cave walls. Look closely at the top of this photo and you'll see a rock that's been eroded to resemble water droplets. It has resulted from eons of a powerful stream eating away at the structure.
Further proof the falls are still alive and well is all the moss growing along the walls. It wouldn't be able to thrive without moisture, which means a healthy cascade is ever-present.
In addition to the regular tour are two addition excursions: a lower cave and evening flashlight adventure. The former is only offered during the summer and involves crawling through tight spaces, swimming, and rappelling. It's a real, four-hour spelunking experience without the stress of having to navigate the cavern by yourself. The latter lasts for 90 minutes and offers an entirely different perspective as to what being ten stories beneath the surface looks like after dark.
Have you ever been to Cascade Caverns? If so, was the waterfall flowing? We’d love to hear all about your experience. Be sure and check out our previous article for more underground adventures in Texas: Going Into These 8 Caves In Texas Is Like Entering Another World.
