Westcave Preserve: Austin Hidden Gem

West of Austin, Texas in the Hill Country, Westcave Preserve Discovery Center is a hidden gem Austin visitors and locals should not miss. Unlike other caves and hikes near Austin, Westcave Preserve offers a unique blend of pristine nature, captivating geology, and educational opportunities.

This natural sanctuary is known for its stunning grotto, lush vegetation, and the preservation of its natural beauty.

Finding Westcave Preserve Discovery Center

Westcave Preserve Discovery Center is conveniently located about 45 minutes west of downtown Austin, making it the perfect day trip destination. As you drive to Westcave Preserve, you’ll be surrounded by scenic views of untouched landscapes as you start entering the Hill Country.

If you find yourself researching cave tours near me in the Austin area, there’s actually several to choose from! Click here to see the most popular cave tours in central Texas!

Address 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX 78663	Phone +1 830-825-3442	Hours Mon Closed Tues-Fri 9:30AM-1:30PM Sat-Sun 9:30AM-4PM

Experience at Westcave Preserve

While Westcave Preserve is a beautiful natural wonder to see, it is distinct from other natural attractions in the area due to its emphasis on conservation and education. During your tour, your guide will lead you and your group to the grotto while providing information about the ecosystem and geological formations.

In order to see the grotto, reserved guided tours must be purchased. Try to book your tour ahead of time. I booked my standard Guided Canyon Tour a week in advance to get an earlier time of day before the weather became too hot.

The grotto is gorgeous all year long, but from March to November the area is covered with luscious ferns and greenery. I went in September, and it was beautiful, but I made sure to book reservations for a morning tour to avoid the peak heat.

Check In

When you arrive, check in at the Environmental Learning Center 15 to 20 minutes before the start of your tour. Located next to the parking lot, it has an abundant amount of information that explains the importance of the 76 acres preserve. Also be sure to check out the solar calendar engraved in the floor that also tracks the sunrise and sunset.

Use the restroom and bring water with you for your tour.

Hiking to the Grotto

The maximum number of guests per guided hike is 25 people. Tours will last 1.5 to 2 hours long as you follow the hiking trail with your guide. You’ll stop at several places to learn about the land, plant life and conservation of the area. There’s also an overlook of the Pedernales river with views of the Hill Country.

You’ll hike a 1-mile round trip, out and back trail, described as moderate to difficult. The most challenging part of the hike is traveling up and down the 100-foot rock staircase. This will lead you into the canyon of the Balcones Canyonland Preserve where the grotto is.

Guests are encouraged to take their time. Consider bringing a walking stick or trekking poles if you have difficulty with stairs. There is also rope support alongside the staircase.

Once you’ve made it down the stairs, the trail levels out. You’ll follow the narrow creek that will soon lead you to the grotto. Alongside the water, you notice many tall cypress trees with some being close to 400 years old!

The Grotto

Once I reached the Westcave Preserve grotto, I was stunned with how beautiful it is. This natural limestone open cave is 40 feet high and has large stalactite and stalagmite formations that create a magical atmosphere. Water quickly drips over the top of the cave into a small pool at its base. The crystal-clear pool that feeds the creek alongside the trail has small fish that you can see from the shore.

When the area has seen a large or steady amount of rainfall, a beautiful waterfall can form flowing over the cave. After you’ve seen the outside of the grotto, follow your tour guide on the marked trail to see the inside.

You’ll get a better look at the formations that hold tight to its ceiling or has transformed the floor of the cave. Whether you’re outside or inside the grotto at Westcave Preserve, the area has so many beautiful spots for taking photos and videos.

Don’t Miss the 2nd Cave

After exploring the grotto, check out an additional cave to the right. This cave is more enclosed and has many stalagmites on the ground and soda straw formations on its ceiling. Your guide will point out many discoveries inside the cave that makes this second cave unique.

Different Tours Experiences at Westcave Preserve

When I came to tour Westcave Preserve, I reserved a spot for their Guided Canyon Tour. The experience was fantastic, and I was able to learn about their conservation, see the grotto and take lots of pictures.

If you would like to enhance your trip at Westcave Preserve, there are several types of tours to choose from. There are also trails above the canyon called the Uplands trails to explore.

Guided Canyon Tour

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 Hours
• Learn about the preserve and their efforts to continue conservation
• See the canyon, cave and grotto during the day and take pictures

Night Hike

• Duration: 1.5 to 2 Hours
• Offered once a month
• Learn about the different animals found on the Preserve
• Experience the grotto at twilight with flashlights and the sounds of nature

Star Party

• Duration: 2 Hours
• Offered once a month
• Local astronomer guides will point out constellations and planets for guests
• Access to a high quality telescope
• Located in the parking lot near the Learning Center
• No access to the canyon or grotto

Guided Photography Grotto

• Duration: 2 Hours
• Access to the grotto without a crowd of guest (a maximum to 10 people per group)
• Free access to the Upland Trails
• Note that this is not a photography workshop, and cameras are not provided

Guided Forest Bathing

• Duration: 2.5 Hours
• Once a month
• Based on Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku that involves connecting to the forest
• Relaxing guided tour that walks slowly to the canyon and grotto to allow guests to focus on their surroundings
• Available for only 13 years and up

Sound Bath and Silent Guided Hike with Yoga

• Duration: 2.5 Hours
• 2nd Saturday of the month from Sept- Nov
• Listen to the sounds of nature near the grotto in silence with a small group
• Experience an hour long sound bath inside the Environmental Learning Center
• Mats, pillows, blankets and bolster are not included

Prices

For prices, adults are considered 13 years and older. Click here to learn about becoming a member.

Guided Canyon Tour $20/ Adult, $10/ Child Guided Photography Hike $50/ Adult, $30/ Member	Meditative Hike $20/ Adults Forest Bathing $50/ Adult, $45/ Member	Night Hike $25/ Guest $20/ Member Space Yoga $55/Adult, $50/ Member	Star Party $25/ Adult, $20/ Member, $10/Child Homeschool Days $20/ Adult, $10/ Child

Tips Before You Go

• Do Not Rely On A Ride Share Pickup– Uber and lyft will not be able to pick you up at the entrance due to the service being out of range.
• Wear closed toe shoes.
• Leave pets at home.
• Refunds are available ONLY if done with a 24-hour notice. If Westcave has to cancel due to weather, you will receive an email.
• No swimming anywhere on property.

If you’re interested in more hikes near Austin that leads to a cave, Hamilton Pool is just down the street from Westcave Preserve!

For more caves near Austin that you can tour, Inner Space Caverns and Natural Bridge Caverns are very popular to visit.

Reel of Westcave Preserve

Watch my personal reel while I visited Westcave Preserve.