LONGHORN CAVERN STATE PARK
LONGHORN CAVERN STATE PARK
Longhorn Cavern State Park, south of Burnet in Burnet County, is 645.62 acres classified as a scenic park in the rugged Hill Country. Longhorn Cavern was acquired in 1932 - 1937 from private owners. It was dedicated a state park in 1932, was opened in 1938 and was dedicated as a natural landmark in 1971.
The cave was first formed when the ground levels of water began to drop. As this downward movement occurred, the water began to dissolve the limestone. This downward drainage continued until great underground stream beds were cut out of solid rock. It is this unusual combination of dissolving and cutting by water that makes Longhorn Cavern one of the most unique caves of the world.
The cave has been used as a shelter since prehistoric times. Among legends about the cave is one that the outlaw Sam Bass hid a $2 million cache of stolen money inside. Confederates made gunpowder in the cave during the Civil War. Legend also says Texas Rangers rescued a kidnapped girl from Indians in the cave.
Longhorn Cavern State Park is located near Burnet, Marble Falls and Austin
A GEOLOGY PROGRAM -- Developed by a qualified geologist for persons of at least 8th-grade age, this program includes a brief explanation of the complex geology of the Texas Hill Country and how it relates to Longhorn Cavern. A cavern tour and a field trip are included.
The short program is an abbreviated field trip to the road cut at Kingsland plus the cave tour for $15.00 per personThe long program will include a brief lecture, a longer field trip to include Inks Lake State Park and the Devils's Waterhole, plus the cave tour for $25.00 per person. Reservations and deposits are required for all specialty tours. Please call 877-441-CAVE or write to Longhorn Cavern State Park; PO Box 732; Burnet, TX 78611.
Nearby parks include Inks Lake State Park; Pedernales Falls State Park; Enchanted Rock State Natural Area; and the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site (which includes the Sauer-Beckmann Farm.)
Longhorn Cavern State Park is located approximately 6 miles west and 6 miles south of Burnet, Texas on Park Road 4, off US Highway 281.