Tag: Tour

Natural Bridge Caverns Kicks Off 60th Anniversary on July 3rd

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San Antonio, TX — The largest cavern in Texas is celebrating 60 years of providing tours to millions of people from around the world. As part of the celebration Natural Bridge Caverns is launching a new educational partnership with the Texas Wildlife Association Foundation (TWAF Foundation). TWAF promotes educational and informational activities in support of conservation. Natural Bridge Caverns will be raising money for TWAF through its ticket round up program and partnering to offer additional educational experiences.

[Photos of the ceremony are here]

Rated as the top paid attraction in the region by travelers, Natural Bridge Caverns, a once hidden treasure on remote ranchland in the1960s, today is widely considered one of the most spectacular show caves in the nation. Now visited by millions of guests, the caverns are lit with the most sophisticated lighting system in the country, hosts large underground events and concerts, and are home to the world’s only conveyor ride in a cave.

Still family owned and operated, the property continues to expand, having recently completed the multi-million-dollar expansion of the Hidden Cavern. Today there are five unique tours of the two caverns on the property as well as four above ground adventures with promises of more to come.

“Over the next few years we’ll have a few surprises in store,” said Brad Wuest, President and co-owner of Natural Bridge Caverns. “Every year we discover new ways to celebrate the joy of exploration and fun of family adventure. It’s our goal to continue growing and expanding with the caverns continuing to serve as the highlight of every guest’s experience.”

Through the years the team has ensured that the cavern system is carefully protected, with a focus on balancing access with stewardship of this Natural National Landmark. Thanks to internal expedition teams, the caverns are still being explored with nearly two miles of new cave passage discovered and mapped over the last five years. In addition, scientists continue to expand their knowledge as the cavern serves as a natural laboratory for paleontology, geosciences, archeology, and biology projects both below and above ground.

“As we celebrate this milestone we recognize that we owe a great deal of thanks to the many who came before us. This journey began with our great-great grandparents who started ranching here in 1884. Next our focus shifted to what was below our feet thanks to the four St. Mary’s University students who discovered the caverns. Then our grandmother, Clara Wuest Heideman, risked everything to open the caverns to the public in 1964,” said Wuest. “We’ve inherited that spirit of determination that inspires us continue their legacy of exploration and adventure for another 60 years and more!”

For more information about the 60 anniversary celebrations planned for the year, visit NaturalBridgeCaverns.com.

Natural Bridge Caverns Launches the Lantern Tour on March 1st

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Feb 15, 2024, San Antonio – In 1960 the only way you could see Natural Bridge Caverns’ stunning formations was with the light from a carbide headlamp. Even with those relatively dim lights, the rooms were spectacular. Now, 64 years later, that experience of early exploration has been recreated with a new, reimagined Lantern Tour of the Discovery Cavern.

Over the years, Natural Bridge Caverns has become one of the nation’s most popular caves to tour with the most advanced lighting systems in North America. “We’ve invested millions of dollars in state-of-the-art lighting, so the incredible formations of both caves can be seen in detail that was never before possible,” notes president and co-owner Brad Wuest. “Still, for many guests there is something magical about exploring the cavern as it was when it was first discovered.”

In 1960 four college students first entered what was then considered an unpromising opening under a little-known limestone rock bridge – an opening that soon revealed one of the most stunning discoveries in the state. The Lantern Tour takes guests on a recreation of that first exploration of the Discovery Cavern with only the light of handheld lanterns. Unlike the first explorers who had to climb through mud and scale over rocks, guests on the tour will walk on paved paths complete with handrails. During the tour, guests will hear the story of the original discoverers who, on their fourth expedition, uncovered what would be revealed to be the largest cavern in the State of Texas.

Last year when Orion Knox, one of the four discoverers of the cavern and a key member of the first cave development team, passed away, the team at Natural Bridge Caverns was determined to bring back this unique tour. “Our reimagined Lantern Tour is in part a celebration of Orion’s life and in part homage to cave explorers everywhere,” said Wuest.

Our cavern system continues to be actively explored, with 1.13 miles of passage having been discovered since 2019. The current known length of Natural Bridge Caverns is now 4.18 miles. We hope to give our guests a little sense of the thrill of discovery on this tour.”

Advance online reservations are required for the Lantern Tour which will be available every day as the first tour of the day starting March 1. For more information visit Natural Bridge Caverns online at naturalbridgecaverns.com.

PHOTOS AND VIDEO ASSETS

MEDIA: For pre-open access contact Winter Prosapio at wprosapio@naturalbridgecaverns.com

Largest Cavern in Texas Opens Multi-Million Dollar Expansion

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Widely considered a leader of commercial show caves in the world, Natural Bridge Caverns doubles down on stewardship and technological advances with new tour experience.

After years of careful development and millions of dollars invested in design, engineering, technology, construction, and guest experience, Natural Bridge Caverns will open its latest and most ambitious tour: Hidden Wonders. Already the state’s largest and most visited commercial cave, this new multi-million-dollar tour experience features state-of-the-art lighting, a sound and light show, and expansion into never before toured areas of the property’s Hidden Cavern. Development of the new tour experience and careful development of new areas of the cavern has been underway since 2017 and will open to the public on May 12th.

Hidden Wonders reveals new areas never before available on public tours.
Hidden Wonders reveals new areas never before available on public tours, like this canyon.

In developing this area of the cavern system, we have both pursued and established best case practices for working in this delicate environment. Our goal is to give visitors a stunning view of the cavern like never before, without impacting its beauty.

Brad Wuest, president, Natural Bridge Caverns

The Hidden Cavern is a second cavern at Natural Bridge Caverns and part of the same geologic system. This distinct and unique environment never had a natural opening to the surface. As a result, incredibly delicate and beautiful formations were able to grow in a completely sealed environment.

“In developing this area of the cavern system, we have both pursued and established best case practices for working in this delicate environment. Our goal is to give visitors a stunning view of the cavern like never before, without impacting its beauty,” said Brad Wuest, President of Natural Bridge Caverns. “Developing this tour has been challenging due to many things – including the depth of the new public tour area. This expansion required the construction of a 710-foot exit tunnel – double the length of anything done before – and to do so with minimal impact on the cavern. We used best in class techniques and developed new ones to make it work. We took the time to do it right. The result speaks for itself.”

ASSETS: Fact sheet, photos and b-roll.

Fully programmable state-of-the-art lighting is one of the dramatic changes in the cavern as well as a 1100 foot long expansion of the public passageways beginning with a stainless steel bridge across the cavern’s deepest point. Now guests will tour through an area that was only previously accessible by cavers. This addition will showcase an underground canyon, more formations, and a large 5700 square foot dome chamber called the Ballroom which serves as an event space. A new viewing area overlooking a massive passage called the Box Canyon is now a natural theater for a unique sound and light show finale. Exiting the Hidden Wonders tour will also be a one-of-a-kind experience as guests effortlessly ride from underground to the surface on the 700-foot long BAT (Belt Assisted Transport) through the newly constructed exit tunnel. The Bat is the world’s first conveyor system ride out of a cavern.All in all, these innovative features will combine to deliver a completely new experience of this Historic National Natural Landmark.

“We plan to showcase the science behind the beauty of this once hidden cavern on our tour,” said Wuest. “With Hidden Wonders’ many enhancements we have an opportunity to both educate and entertain.”

For more information on the Hidden Wonders Tour and future expansion efforts planned at Natural Bridge Caverns, visit NaturalBridgeCaverns.com or connect with Natural Bridge Caverns social media channels for exclusive behind the scenes photos and interviews.

Natural Bridge Caverns’ Newest Off Trail Experience St. Mary’s Adventure Tour 

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Inspired by recent expeditions, St. Mary’s Adventure Tour will take guests on a real caving adventure.

St. Mary’s Adventure Tour, the newest adventure tour at Natural Bridge Caverns, is a unique caving expedition through a beautiful wild cave area of the Discovery Cavern. Sections of these passages, never seen by guests, include rare formations including black calcite and beautiful box work. Guests will learn and use some professional rope techniques used by cavers when traversing, ascending, and descending within the cave, necessary skills for this exciting new adventure tour experience. Knowledgeable guides provide the training and no prior caving experience is needed. [Broll, maps, and photos]

“This wild area in our cavern has always been one of our favorites,” said Brad Wuest, president of Natural Bridge Caverns. “The challenge has been that experiencing it also requires some specialized equipment and training. Now, thanks to the work of our Expedition Team we have the equipment and rigging in place to make the experience accessible to guests who are ready for adventure.”

With the addition of this new off trail tour, Natural Bridge Caverns will now have two Adventure Tours available, both of which are great for people with no previous training or experience in caving.  The new St. Mary’s Adventure Tour is a more technical tour with no crawling, more climbing, and takes 2.5-3 hours. The Discovery Adventure Tour is a more physically demanding, involves muddy and tight crawlways and takes 3.5-4 hours. Prior to both adventure tours, specially trained Adventure Tour Guides (ATs) ensure guests are properly outfitted with everything from gloves to helmets and headlamps – guests bring their own clothing and footwear. ATs take each guest through a detailed training on how to navigate the unique environment of the wild area of the cave.

An all-day adventure is also available as a premium combo experience: guests can take St. Mary’s Adventure Tour in the morning and, after a lunch break, a Discovery Adventure Tour in the afternoon.

There is evidence that this area of the cave was explored by cavers as far back as the 1950s. This area is filled with formations that cannot be seen on other tours at Natural Bridge Caverns. Several areas of flowstone and delicate crystals along with stalagmites and stalactites decorate this area. Beautiful lace-like calcite formations exposed by ancient waterflows at the end of the passage is known as “box work” and has been long considered the finest example of this type of formation in the state according to famous caver James Reddell.

“Experiencing these passages just expands your appreciation for the astonishing wonder of the natural world,” said Travis Wuest, vice president of Natural Bridge Caverns and fellow expedition team member. “Our hope is these experiences will inspire our guests to learn about and then advocate for protection and responsible stewardship of these delicate environments.”

For more information about adventure caving tours, walkable public tours, and above ground adventures at Natural Bridge Caverns, visit NaturalBridgeCaverns.com.

About Natural Bridge Caverns: 

26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, Natural Bridge Caverns, TX 78266  

https://naturalbridgecaverns.com/  l 210-651-6101    

Natural Bridge Caverns is one of the world’s premier show caverns. Discovered in 1960 by local cavers, this family owned and operated natural wonder is the largest cavern in Texas. In addition to multiple tour experiences through the caverns, the property features above-ground adventures of a different kind including a ropes course, zip rails, a 5,000 square foot outdoor maze, and even an interactive “gem panning” activity. More of the cavern system itself is still being discovered; the Wuest family along with their caving team are still actively exploring new areas in the massive cavern. Natural Bridge Caverns is a designated State Historical Site, National Natural Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.   

Natural Bridge Caverns Unveils Multimillion Dollar Technology Expansion to Enhance Popular Discovery Tour

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Upgrades Include Programmable LED Lighting, Underground Wi-Fi and Weather Stations to Monitor Cavern Environment.

New Braunfels, TX (August 31, 2020) – Natural Bridge Caverns continues to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the discovery of Texas’ largest cavern system by giving visitors the gift of experiencing their popular Discovery Tour with a brand-new, multi-faceted, multimillion-dollar lighting, communications and technology enhancement.

Guests now have the opportunity to see Natural Bridge Caverns in a whole new light. Literally. The popular, original cavern tour, known as the “Discovery Tour” was lit by cave developer Jack Burch in 1963, which at the time was very progressive incorporating some 319 light fixtures and burning approximately 34,580 watts of power. Over time, the original lighting and communications system became challenging to maintain and repair. This new fully programmable, computer-controlled LED lighting installed by the Germany-based cave lighting experts at Cave Lighting, CL., who have installed more cave lighting systems than any other company in the world, now incorporates over 1,200 fixtures and uses less than 5,000 watts of power while illuminating and showcasing the giant chambers and formations of Natural Bridge Caverns in a way never before seen in North America.

The vision for the project has been years in the making. Natural Bridge Caverns President and CEO Brad Wuest began talking with world-renowned lighting specialist Cave Lighting, CL. in 2014, with the physical installation beginning in October 2019.

“While serving as president of the International Show Caves Association, I have had the opportunity to see some of the best examples of show cave lighting systems around the world,” said Brad Wuest, president and co-owner of Natural Bridge Caverns. “The original Discovery Passages lighting system served us well for the past 56 years, but since then there have been significant advancements in lighting, communications technology and equipment. The goal was to replace our old system with the very best state-of-the-art lighting and communications system that would be better for the cavern environment, safer, more energy-efficient, low maintenance, dynamic, programmable, and enhance our guests experience by providing superior illumination of our spectacular cavern system.”

“There are other systems like this in place in show caves throughout the world, but our new lighting system is the first of its kind in North America. Having toured our caverns thousands of times, I am amazed how some speleothems that were never before visible, now look so beautiful and chambers and formations I already loved look even better than before,” noted Travis Wuest, vice president and co-owner of Natural Bridge Caverns.

A crew of seven highly experienced multinational caving specialists from Germany, Romania, and Spain, along with the team at Natural Bridge Caverns designed the system and performed the installation, often having to use vertical gear and rope to climb to reach the highest points or descending to depths throughout the cavern to place light fixtures in the best locations. This is essentially like rock climbing underground while carrying the additional weight of the lighting equipment. Their depth of knowledge, skill, and experience enabled them to place lights in superb locations to highlight the truly world-class features that Natural Bridge Caverns offers.

The cooler color temperature LED lamps show off the beautiful contrast of true colors inside the caverns.  Scenes are brighter with more definition and clarity and showcase additional features of the chambers and formations never seen before. In contrast to its brightness, the programmable and dynamic lighting also utilizes moments and areas of shadow and darkness to provide mystery and dramatic effects when lights fade on and off.

More than 10.5 miles of electrical wiring and 3,000 feet of fiber optic cable was installed in the cave. This state-of-the-art system includes Wi-Fi which greatly improves communications for both safety and operational efficiency. Underground visitor Wi-Fi along the tour now gives guests the opportunity to immediately upload selfies and images from their smartphones all while 180 feet below the earth’s surface.

Along with the environmental and economic benefits of low energy consumption, the new low voltage LED lighting system is safer for guests and the cavern. LED fixtures produce less heat and have a longer life. The project’s other environmental enhancements include the installation of weather stations both inside and outside the cavern system that measure temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and water levels for times when the aquifer rises into the cavern system. A central computer hub collects data throughout the day and will alert the team of any significant changes. Data collected will be used to establish a seasonal baseline and monitor any significant changes over time which can be shared with the scientific community.

 Before the new installation, old static lighting had to be turned on with switches inside the cavern.  Now guides carry handheld remotes to operate the lights in each room based on set programs. The old static lighting systems zones turned on and off large sections of the cavern which required leaving the lights on all day.

The new programmable lighting system allows formations and zones within chambers to be highlighted (turned on and off) as a tour guide takes guests through the cavern, which greatly reduces the amount of light cast on the fragile cavern environment and reduces the proliferation of algae growth, known as Lampenflora. The system is backed up by batteries and generators should the cave experience loss of power and lights are fully submersible for times when the aquifer rises into the deeper passages of the cavern.

“With this new programmable lighting system, many of the fixtures are expected to last up to 10 years. This can save us thousands of man-hours in maintenance and replacement costs,” said Travis Wuest. “The quality of the LED light reveals textures and colors in the cave that we’ve never seen before. Programming allows us to create beautiful scenes for guests and allows us to turn off lights as guests move from room to room inside the cave, or to illuminate specific speleothems that guides are interpreting.”

Former guests will experience the familiar Discovery Passages in a dynamic brand-new way and see the beautiful cavern in a whole new light with many more formations now illuminated and showcased throughout the tour. This project comes 60 years after the caverns first discovery and represents the single largest expansion and investment to Natural Bridge Caverns, paving the way for future high-tech opportunities underground.

Special thanks to the team members and partners involved in this project. In total, seven Cave Lighting, CL employees, 10 staff members from Natural Bridge Caverns, and several businesses from the community, listed below, contributed to the installation.

Cave Lighting, CL.: 

Alexander Chrapko (Germany), Vladimir Vashkevich (Germany), Adrian Kondacs (Germany), Dan Ciulpan (Romania), Tudor Rus (Romania), Tudor Marin (Romania), Alejandro Gomez (Spain)

Natural Bridge Caverns: 

Matt Carr, Justin Royce, Dillon Ellis, Nathan Hinkie, Breanna Hild, Claire Rosales, Arnold Bednorz, Brent Thomson, Kelly Eckerle, Cory Garcia.

Additional support: 

M&S Engineering (New Braunfels,) Seguin Electric, Hierholzer Engineering (Marion,) Crawford Electric Supply (New Braunfels,) PassmoreVR (Austin,) and Barcom Technology Solutions (San Antonio)

Click to Download before and after stills, raw unedited b-roll with natural ambient sound and interviews.

ABOUT NATURAL BRIDGE CAVERNS

26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266

https://naturalbridgecaverns.com/ | 210-651-6101 | https://www.facebook.com/naturalbridgecavernstx/ | @NaturalBridgeCaverns | #NBCavernsTX

On March 27, 1960, four college students, Orion Knox Jr., Preston Knodell Jr., Al Brandt, and Joe Cantu from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio began an underground exploration that ultimately would reveal the most extensive, largest cavern system in Texas. After hearing of an incredible 60-foot natural limestone bridge, which later became the caverns’ namesake, the students asked landowner Clara Wuest if they could investigate what laid beneath their family’s ranch. On the cavers’ fourth expedition, they uncovered a long, narrow crawlspace that ultimately opened into 2 miles of virgin caverns. Today, their discovery is recognized as one of the world’s premier show caverns.

Natural Bridge Caverns located between San Antonio and New Braunfels, Texas, offers year-round activities including multiple cavern tours, a maze, an aerial sky adventure, gemstone mining, restaurants, and shopping. Grounds offer several ideal settings for weddings, groups, and birthday parties. Christmas at the Caverns includes holiday light displays, carolers throughout the caverns, and a hill country hayride.

Natural Bridge Caverns is owned and operated by the Wuest family and is a designated State Historical Site, National Natural Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.