A Longhorn Cavern day trip from Llano takes you to a guided underground tour at Longhorn Cavern State Park in Burnet County. The cavern formed through the action of underground streams, and the park offers both a developed walking tour and a more demanding wild-cave option.
- Location: 6211 Park Road 4 S., Burnet, Texas 78611.
- Distance: The park is about 20.3 miles from Llano Motel.
- Admission: Park grounds are free; cavern access requires a paid guided tour.
- Hours: Seasonal hours vary between 9 a.m. and 5 or 6 p.m.
What to expect at Longhorn Cavern
Longhorn Cavern is a guided-tour destination, with a developed route through an ancient underground riverbed. The Civilian Conservation Corps cleared debris from the cavern in the 1930s and built park facilities and the scenic byway that leads to it.
The cavern’s temperature is up to 68°F year-round, with relative humidity around 60%. The entrance includes 52 stone steps down and back up, so plan for stairs before choosing a tour or bringing a stroller.
How do you get from Llano to Longhorn Cavern?
Longhorn Cavern State Park is at 6211 Park Road 4 S. in Burnet. From Llano, plan your route to that address and check current driving directions before setting out; no drive time is available here.
Llano also works as a starting point for other regional outings, including an Enchanted Rock day trip from Llano. For getting around town, the Getting Around Llano, Texas guide covers local transportation.
Tours, tickets and reservations
The park offers two distinct ways to visit the cavern. The Cavern Walking Tour follows a developed path through the ancient riverbed, while the Wild Cave Tour explores an undeveloped lower level with a guide and safety gear.
Cavern Walking Tour
Children of all ages may join this tour. Its route follows a developed path, but the cavern entrance still requires descending and climbing 52 stone steps.
Wild Cave Tour
This tour enters the cavern’s undeveloped lower level, which has no modern lights or pathways. Participants must be at least 8 years old, and anyone younger than 18 must be accompanied by a participating parent, guardian, or responsible adult. Certain physical requirements apply.
A Blacklight Tour is listed for weekend mornings at 9:30 a.m., with limited space. Reservations are highly recommended for tours; tickets are available online or at the park visitor center. Tour schedules and seasonal hours can change, so check the official site before you go.
Accessibility and cave conditions
The cavern and visitor facilities are not wheelchair accessible because of the park’s historic character and the cavern walkways. The entrance stairs also mean strollers must be carried; side-by-side strollers are not allowed.
Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes with good traction. Parts of the walking route may be wet after recent rainfall. There are no restrooms inside the cavern, so use the visitor-center restrooms before your tour.
Other park facilities and visitor rules
The day-use park has picnic areas, a snack bar, a visitor center where tours are sold, a state park store, restrooms, and an observation tower. The park map also shows five trails: Backbone Ridge Nature Trail (0.35 mile), Karst Discovery Trail (0.60 mile), Warbler Walk (0.08 mile), Wildflower Way (0.10 mile), and Comanche Spur (0.04 mile).
Leashed dogs are allowed in the park, including on nature and hiking trails, but only trained ADA service animals may enter the cavern or park buildings. Keep pets on a six-foot leash; public consumption or display of an open container of alcohol is prohibited.
The park is for day use only and has no overnight camping. Inks Lake State Park, six miles north on Park Road 4, has the nearest state park campground.
FAQs
Is Longhorn Cavern State Park free?
Entry to the park grounds is free. You need a paid guided-tour ticket to enter the cavern.
Can you enter the cavern without a guided tour?
No. Cavern access is by paid guided tour, though the park grounds are free to enter.
Can children visit Longhorn Cavern?
Children of all ages can take the Cavern Walking Tour. The Wild Cave Tour has a minimum age of 8, and participants younger than 18 need an accompanying participating adult.
Does Longhorn Cavern have camping?
No. The park is day-use only; Inks Lake State Park has the nearest state park campground.