Cave Day

3 Stars

Plaque to the entrance of Dies Ranch Treasure Cave

This past weekend, we took the kids to Cave Day and explored two caves in the Cedar Park area. Twice a year, a few of the over 750 caves in the Williamson County area are opened to the public. These are not Carlsbad Cavern size caves, but they are really cool none the less. We didn't visit all of the caves on the tour, but did get to enter two that were quite amazing. (Cool Fact: There are over 1000 caves in Texas and 750 are in Williamson County!)

Dies Ranch Treasure Cave:  This little cave is tucked between two houses in the Twin Creeks neighborhood area just off of Anderson Mill Ln. You'd miss it if you didn't know it was there.  It's closed off by a wrought iron fence. To access the cave, you walk through the fence into a wooded area until you reach an open grate in the ground. Volunteers assisted us as we entered the cave onto a platform. From there, we climbed down a ladder and were in the heart of the cave. The cave was about the size of a large bedroom. The walls were rock and the floor was muddy. Off to one side was a small crack that everyone had the opportunity to squeeze in to and walk behind one of the walls through a small passageway. The passageway came out on the other side of the wall through a small hole that you had to climb up. It was tight. The kids made the passageway trek & got muddy in the process. Mom & Dad stayed behind and took pictures. But, the volunteers said that adults would fit & not get stuck.  I saw a few adults give it a go and no one got stuck while we were there. Legend has it that Sam Bass may have stored some gold in this cave back in the day. (Location: 2709 Gholson Dr. Cedar Park, TX)

Dies Ranch Treasure Cave Sign

Avery Ranch Cave:  Now this cave was more like the caves most of us have seen.  One volunteer described it as a mini version of Carlsbad Cavern.  I'd have to agree with that description.  The cave had stalagmites and stalactites with other formations on the walls.  The cave is located in two vacant lots across from the tennis courts on Morgan Creek Drive just off Avery Ranch.  It was apparently discovered during the construction of the Avery Ranch housing community.  Volunteers let 20 or so people into the cave at a time.  It was lit up quite well and there was a platform with ample room for a lot of visitors.  Steep stairs led down into the cave.  The air was stuffy.  It felt like there was very little oxygen in the cave.  With it being almost 100 degrees outside, the small cramped space made for a sweaty experience, but we all enjoyed it anyway. (Location: 9510 Morgan Creek Dr. Austin, TX) 

Since visiting these caves, I've read a lot about caves in the area and have come to learn that there are literally hundreds of them.  One was even discovered when the DOT was constructing the I45 overpass near 620.  That particular cave contained some rare beetles.  The DOT had to purchase some land that housed another cave to protect the species from extinction so that they could essentially destroy the other cave to finish the I45 construction.  And just within the last month, a new cave has been discovered during the expansion of 620.  A study is still being conducted as to what exists in that cave and how it's discovery will impact the 620 expansion project.

The way we protect our land & it's inhabitants is just another reason why I love this great city!

Map of Cedar Park Caves