While many people tend to enjoy the vast beauty of the rolling Texas Hill Country views, there is another side of Texas that is waiting to be explored.  While traveling in Texas you should make Sonora a stop on your trip.  You will not be disappointed by the beauty that you find underground in the Caverns of Sonora. 



Open all year round with a cool temperature of about 70 degrees, this is a beautiful underground paradise waiting to be explored.  Opened in the 1960s, the Sonora Caves are approximately 7 miles or so of underground cavern exploring.  Made by water causing surface erosion, the caves showcase a complex labyrinth of sparkling rock formations.  Each area of the caverns that you visit show intricately layered mineral formations that will take your breath away.  The most interesting thing about the Caverns of Sonora is that the cave is still active.  This means that it is constantly forming new crystals and every changing in look.  The walking tours take about two hours to complete. There are two tours that will take you exploring into two different parts of the cavern. 

One of the activities that are available to you while visiting the caverns is enjoying the interactive underground classroom experience.  Here, you will get hands on experience with digging fossils, learning about paleontology and partake in a paleontology dig, as well as going on a cave exploring adventure with actual helmets and lights.  What a better way to learn about the underground world. 

Another exciting activity to do while visiting the caves is taking a cave safety and rope class.  Here, you will learn how to use all the gear necessary to explore the caverns.  Once you have learned the proper techniques and safety needed, you will then ascend about 40 feet in the cave.  What a better way to get up close and personal with the beautiful caverns. 

If you want even more of an adventure, then you should partake in the Orienteering activity.  This activity will give you a set of directions and a compass.  Given these two things, you should be able to find your way to the end of a very tricky course.  Don’t worry too much about getting lost, there are checkpoints along the way that will help you to explore, learn and navigate through this fun filled adventure. 

Another activity that is great for all ages is Gemstone Panning.  What a better way to be able to learn about gemstones then searching and finding your own.  Through this activity, you will learn about the different types of gemstones found in the Caverns of Sonora and how to find your own.  It is immense fun for kids of all ages. 

The Caverns of Sonora are a wonderful place to visit.  They are located to the southwest of San Antonio, about two hours away.  Come for the day or even plan a camping trip as there are campsites on the working ranch of the grounds.  No matter what, you will find it a most beautiful adventure that everyone in the family will enjoy.