Hobbies And Interests
Cave Tours
Inexperienced cavers who want to visit some of the caves but need guidance and support may take guided experiences led by the Texas State Parks officials. Experienced cavers lead visitors to Colorado Bend State Park about 180 miles southwest of Dallas on "Crawling Cave Tours" through caves in the park. Participants literally crawl in some areas while exploring the caverns in small groups -- not a typical sightseeing experience. Anyone wishing to go through these caves must sign up for the guided tour or apply for a special permit due to safety and environmental issues.
Long and Deep Caves
Experienced spelunkers may appreciate the excitement of working through unmapped caves like the Honey Creek cave, which is at least 20 miles long, the longest in the state, and runs beneath both Comal and Kendall counties south of Dallas. Menard county, southwest of Dallas, is home to the Powell's Cave System that has yet to be fully mapped, as well. More than 100 Texas caves run at least 900 feet in length, and just as many fall to 100 feet in depth. Although a long drive, Sorcerer's Cave on the Edwards Plateau west of Dallas, for instance, measures 558 feet deep.
Beautiful Caves
While cavers often enjoy the experience of exploring the exotic environments of all caves, the incredible natural formations like stalactites, stalagmites, coral formations and flowstone within some attract more visitors. According to the Texas State Historical Society, some call Texas' Sonora Cave, also southwest of Dallas, the most breathtaking on the planet. Located along the west Texas border, the cave has only about two miles open to the public for exploration, but nearly all the formations constantly change, making Sonora much more active than many caves.
Organizations
Many caving groups make their home in Texas, offering support, companionship and information to those interesting in exploring the state's caves. The Maverick Grotto and Cowtown Grotto groups hold meetings monthly in Fort Worth. Those looking for smaller groups in the Dallas area can get information from the Metroplex Cavers organization, a network of smaller groups associated with The National Speleological Society specifically for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The organization offers email connections and publishes a newsletter to keep members informed of activities.