Kickapoo Cavern State Park is one of Texas’ state parks. It’s located 22 miles north of Brackettville and sits on 6,368 acres. The park is home to some of Texas’ most impressive limestone formations. It also features hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Kickapoo Cavern State Park is a relatively new addition to the Texas Parks and Wildlife system. It opened full-time in 2010 and is located about 22 miles north of Brackettville, Texas. While the park is fairly new, it already has many interesting attractions. In addition to the cave, the park offers hiking and paddling in three types of habitat.
Kickapoo Cavern State Park features several marked hiking trails throughout its 6,368-acre land on the Southern Edwards Plateau. One trail, the Tommy Seargeant Memorial Trail, is a three-quarter-mile
hike through the park’s creek beds. This trail leads to an overlook and back to the trailhead. Other trails are shorter and suitable for hikers of all abilities.
Kickapoo Cavern State Park is home to a unique collection of wildlife. Although bats are the main attraction, the park is also home to an interesting assortment of wildlife. The ubiquitous armadillo, Texas’ state mammal, is among the most common species of wildlife you’re likely to spot in the park. These bumbling creatures make for great entertainment for visitors.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired the land in 1986. In 1991, the cave system was opened for limited public access, and full access was allowed in 2010. The cave system is home to four million years of geology. Its most impressive formation, known as a speleothem, is the tallest in Texas. Most of the cave is dry, but water has carved it into different formations and shapes.
During your visit to Kickapoo Cavern State Park, you can observe many species of birds, including two endangered species. You can spot Montezuma quail and gray vireo. You can also observe various types of bunting. Other interesting birds to look for are colorful woodpeckers, orioles, and swallows. The best time to see birds is late summer.
There are fourteen miles of hiking trails, and many unmarked side trails. Birding and other daytime activities are popular among visitors. The park’s campground is small, but nice. It is easily accessible from the major population centers of Texas. If you are planning on camping at the park, make sure to pack out all your trash before you leave.
Despite its size, Kickapoo Cavern State Park is accessible to people with disabilities. It is wheelchair accessible and features a viewing deck near the entrance. The bats are best observed between mid-March and mid-September, and the bat population in the cave is impressive. A guide will lead you through the caves.
