Cave

Devil’s Den is an underground spring inside a dry cave, reached by walking down a wooden staircase into the earth. Light comes through one hole in the roof and falls in a shaft across water that stays at 72 degrees, which on a cold morning makes the whole opening steam - hence the name. Snorkelling here is unlike anything else in Florida: you are floating in a rock room, not a river. It is privately run, reservations are required, and there is a hard minimum age with no swimming for small children. Book well ahead in season.

Florida is riddled with caves but almost all of them are underwater; Florida Caverns is the one dry cave with public tours. Rangers lead groups through decorated rooms of stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and flowstone, on a paved path with lighting, taking about forty-five minutes. It stays at 65 degrees, which in a Panhandle August is the main attraction. There are low sections that require ducking, so it is not stroller-friendly. Tour tickets are sold same-day on a first-come basis and sell out on holiday weekends. Above ground there are trails, a spring-fed swimming area and camping.

A crystal-clear artesian spring that wells up from a deep underwater cave system, long one of the most photographed swimming holes in Texas. Swimming has been closed since 2022 - a multi-year drought and heavy pumping from the Middle Trinity Aquifer have dropped the flow too low to be safe, and Hays County has suspended the swim season until further notice with no date to reopen. What is open is the rest of the natural area: about three miles of trail across 81 acres, a quarter-mile walk down to the well itself, and an overlook where you can still see straight into the mouth of the cave. Free, no reservation, and far quieter than it used to be.

The Camuy river carved one of the biggest cave networks on the planet, and the park tour takes you into it comfortably: a trolley runs down through a sinkhole into Cueva Clara, a chamber some 170 feet high with formations lit along a paved walkway, and a guide explains the geology and the Taíno petroglyphs. The river itself is visible far below. The whole visit runs about ninety minutes and is easy walking. The park has closed for extended periods after hurricanes and earthquakes and has reopened in stages with partial tours, so confirming it is open before driving out is not optional.

Cueva Ventana is exactly one image: a cave mouth shaped like a window in the side of a limestone cliff, opening onto a green river valley several hundred feet below. Getting there means a guided walk of about twenty minutes through a section of cave that holds a substantial bat colony, with helmets and torches provided. The floor is uneven and slippery in places, which sets a realistic minimum around six. Guides explain the Taíno history and the geology on the way. It is genuinely worth the entry fee, and it takes about ninety minutes in total, so it combines well with the Camuy caves nearby.

Longhorn Cavern State Park is one of the most unique underground experiences you can share with kids in Texas. The guided walking tour covers about a mile through a massive cave system carved by an ancient underground river, and unlike most cave tours, the path is mostly flat, dry, and well-lit - making it manageable for kids as young as 4. The cave stays a constant 68 degrees year-round, which makes it a perfect escape from Texas summer heat or a cozy winter outing. Cathedral-sized rooms open up along the route, and your guide will point out fascinating geological formations along with stories about the cave’s wild history - it served as a Confederate gunpowder factory, a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and a hideout for Sam Bass’s gang. ...

The largest commercial cavern in Texas with massive formations illuminated by dramatic lighting on guided tours that descend 180 feet underground. Above ground a six-story ropes course and zip rails give older kids an adrenaline rush and the AMAZEn Ranch Roundup outdoor maze is a hit with younger children. The gem mining and panning activity keeps kids busy for a surprisingly long time.