Kickapoo Cavern State Park
Kickapoo Cavern State Park
4.5
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The perfect spot for bat-lovers, as over one million live here in the summer.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
28 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
11
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
David C
Rockport, TX12 contributions
Oct 2018
I stopped here Saturday evening on my return from Seminole Canyon State Park and Big Bend National Park. The park is beautiful and well maintained. Now make note. I almost didn't stop here but I wanted to see the bats, all 800,000 plus a couple of albinos. The park showed to be full on the Texas Parks website. So I arranged my trip for an open spot on Saturday for a return plan. When I check in, Alan tells me to go pick any spot you want, of the 7 primitive camp spots only one was taken. Alan said people reserve and don't show "To ALWAYS CALL ME, I will have a spot for you"" So call Alan if the State Park database shows full. The bat exit was fantastic, the first phase was flock of swifts circling and then they all shot into the cave at 7:00 pm, then a few minutes later the bats started exiting, it seemed for hours. Alan was very accommodating to the hundred questions bombarding him . No complacency, answered all with enthusiasm. I cant comment on the trails as I only camped out and went to Stuart Cave to watch the bats exit. The campsites are very nice, clean trees between you and neighbor and well maintained. It is 21 miles north of Bracketville. Their is a Lowes grocery store in Bracketville for your last minute needs. Alan offers ice and firewood by donation. I will go their again in future to see the bats again and to hike some trails and just camp out in a nice place in the hill country.
Written October 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
K J
Austin, TX98 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Forgive the pun, but a big draw of this park is watching the evening bat flights when they are in season. They are amazing, and you get so close to the bats that from kids to seniors, everyone is entertained. Add in that the park is full of birds singing, armadillos digging, raccoons exploring, frogs hopping, and all sorts of other wildlife activity, and you can appreciate the value of this remote, wooded location. Also, the staff had the facilities as clean as I have ever seen at a park, and the hot showers were so strong, they were actually better than what we have at home. It was a wonderful stay that we extended to enjoy more time in nature. I almost don't want to post, because this smaller park's charm comes partly from the smaller crowds. Still, everyone should visit during at season at some point. Just keep in mind that the site says they close for a couple of days midweek and plan accordingly.
Written May 22, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grantland R
Anson, TX87 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
Neat to see the bat cave and some wonderful hiking. Great TX views. I do believe they have camp sites and camper hook ups.
Written October 21, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
girlfromtexas
San Antonio, TX2,381 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
The cave was great! It was very rugged and not for the timid. There are no rails, no nice paved walkways, no lights to illuminate your walk. It is in its most primitive state. You get the feel of what it must've been like to be the first upon this cave back in the day. There were very steep climbs on very un-even rocks. We loved it! Make sure to wear good shoes with excellent traction....bring your own flashlights and head lamps. It takes at least 2 hours, maybe more. It's 10$ for the cave tour and $3 to enter the park..so total of $13 pp.
Written February 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dnola
Del Rio, TX59 contributions
Jul 2013 • Couples
If you're into bats, this is a good place to spend the evening, seeing them take flight from their underground hideaway. There are even some OK hiking trails around the park but I have to question the value of the $4.00/person entrance fee. There is no camping. There are no cabins. There are no lakes, mountains or big canyons. There is no scenic view. It's just a place to go to watch bats leave in the evening. Hmmmm.
Written October 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dawnb843
Costa Mesa, CA127 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
We were visiting Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio about an hour away, and were looking for something to do. Kickapoo Caverns with the cave came up. When I pulled up the website it just said that they give tours every Saturday at 1pm. There was no mention that you needed hiking shoes and two flashlights per person so we thought it was like other cave tours we've taken that are lit with no restrictions. When we arrived we found out three things:
1. That we needed 2 flashlights each, which we didn't have. We flew to Texas, we weren't bringing flashlights.
2. Hiking boots or tennis shoes with good traction because the cave has very uneven terrain with steep ascents and descents.
3. That this time of year it is very hot in the cave and it is very hard even for a fit person.
In the web page that said the time of the tour on the main page, it should have said something like, Please click link "or go to another page for tour requirements", but there was nothing and we drove all that way only time find that with flip flops on, not a tour to do, plus, no flashlights because they also had their extras spoken for, so we weren't there only ones to not know.
Sounded like a great tour, but very disappointed that there was not something to alert us up front that this wasn't your typical tour.
1. That we needed 2 flashlights each, which we didn't have. We flew to Texas, we weren't bringing flashlights.
2. Hiking boots or tennis shoes with good traction because the cave has very uneven terrain with steep ascents and descents.
3. That this time of year it is very hot in the cave and it is very hard even for a fit person.
In the web page that said the time of the tour on the main page, it should have said something like, Please click link "or go to another page for tour requirements", but there was nothing and we drove all that way only time find that with flip flops on, not a tour to do, plus, no flashlights because they also had their extras spoken for, so we weren't there only ones to not know.
Sounded like a great tour, but very disappointed that there was not something to alert us up front that this wasn't your typical tour.
Written September 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tandmgroup
Corpus Christi, TX228 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
Loved this quiet, off beaten path park. We did mountain biking, hiking, watched bats come out at night and did a cavern tour in the a.m that was absolutely awesome. Literally able to walk in the cavern and not on paths laid out. Must be somewhat fit and able to though. No cell reception hardly and far from any towns. Beautiful, quiet serene place with great people that work here!
Written March 24, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adventurecritic
141 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
Kickapoo cavern is the most natural cavern I've yet to visit in Texas... No manicured walkways, no lighting setups, no guardrails, no fancy stairways, just a cave. This cavern is known for its thick, large and tall pillars which were formed by stalactites and stalagmites meeting and coming together in a massive formations over thousands of years. You can still see some names etched on ancient formations that are dated from the 1800's. It is a rough cave to walk and very very warm inside. Most of this cave is formed of dead and fossilized formations, yet far in the back of the cave there is still a wet area consisting of active and live formations which unfortunately, but for their protection and preservation is off limits to public tours. Although Kickapoo Cavern is found to be in a very rough and natural state, it is one of the least attractive caverns I have visited in Texas. Kickapoo Cavern is inside what once used to be a large private ranch which now belongs to the State of Texas and is now a state park. Within this park you can find camping grounds, trails and a large bat cave by which you can view the sometimes massive flight of bats late in the afternoons. You do need reservations to visit the Kickapoo Cavern and if you are a disabled veteran who meets certain criteria, you can receive a discount just like in any other state park if you bring a copy of your disability award. You will also be asked to bring two flashlights or head strap lights as well as closed toe shoes or boots for this tour. Helmets will be provided to you. If you come in the summer, drink plenty of water and bring water to drink during the tour or any other activity at this park... You will need it!
Written October 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crystal R
8 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
I would have to say this place has some gorgeous views!! Quiet, and clean. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Remote location. We really enjoyed our time at this state park. And watching the bats come out was a sight to see!!
Written June 5, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DRW63
Lake Jackson, TX43 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
This is a relatively small state park, but with clean facilities and friendly staff. This park is literally in the middle of nowhere -- meaning no cellular service, but also no noisy traffic and other distractions. If you're looking for peaceful outdoors -- this is it... and it comes with amazing views of the stars at night.
The main attraction for this park is the cavern -- and it is worth seeing. Given that you are using your own flashlight and climbing up and over rocks, etc. makes you feel like you are truly exploring this cavern for the first time.
If spelunking is your thing, this is a fun stop to make.
The main attraction for this park is the cavern -- and it is worth seeing. Given that you are using your own flashlight and climbing up and over rocks, etc. makes you feel like you are truly exploring this cavern for the first time.
If spelunking is your thing, this is a fun stop to make.
Written March 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gagan G
London, UK22 contributions
Hi, Please help us planning. We are planning to visit 3 of State Parks around Del Rio in Christmas weekend. How much of your time is good to see the beauty of this park? I see they are not having tours of Stuart cave in December. Any reviews of wild cave tour held at 1 PM on Saturdays? How much advance reservations it has to be? Thank-you.
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