The Discovery Aquifer Tour

Due to recent heavy rains, water has risen in the Discovery Passages and temporarily gives our guests the rare opportunity to see a spectacular and unique natural phenomemon — a close-up view of an aquifer! There is no danger to our guests or to the Caverns.

These conditions are the result of natural groundwater flow, and we have no ability to predict the duration of this special event. We advise all guests to call and obtain up-to-date information regarding these tours and the current status of the water level within the Cavern.

If you're planning a future trip to Natural Bridge Caverns or to skip ahead about the regular Discovery Tour, click here.

The Glen Rose Aquifer is the local underground water reservior. This aquifer lies beneath the Caverns, and under normal circumstances the water table is not high enough to be seen. However, when heavy rains send large amounts of groundwater seeping into the aquifer (a process known as "recharge"), the water table begins to slowly rise into the lower chambers of Natural Bridge Caverns. The Discovery Tour trail passes through some of these lower passages, and with enough rain, the water table can rise high enough to submerge these walkways. Once the rain stops, the groundwater will slowly reced until it once again disappears into the hidden passages below Natural Bridge Caverns.

The Discovery Tour Natural Bridge Caverns’ most popular tour, the Discovery Tour introduces you to an underground world of natural beauty and amazement. Travel through a half-mile of the largest and most spectacular show cavern in Texas . You’ll walk 180 feet below the ground, while listening to our knowledgeable tour guide. See awe-inspiring, ancient formations centuries in the making and still growing today, such as amazing stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, chandeliers and soda straws. Take pictures along the way because this is one walk through time that you will never want to forget. Here are some of the amazing sights you will see on the Discovery Tour: Pluto’s Anteroom Sherwood Forest Purgatory Creek The King's Throne Hall of the Mountain King The Watchtower The Natural Bridge

Discovery Tour • Buy Tickets Now and SAVE! ADULT (ages 12 and up) CHILD (ages 3-11) $17.95 $9.95 Departs every 30 minutes Walking distance: 3/4 mile Tour length: 75 minutes Prices subject to change. Cavern temperature is 70 degrees with a relative humidity of 99%. Please wear comfortable walking shoes which provide good traction on steep, wet surfaces. Strollers are not recommended.