STATEWIDE — For as hot as it gets in the summer, Central Texas provides a plethora of natural options to cool off with.

Known for its swimming holes and natural springs, caves are also very prominent in the area, and another great option to seek refuge from the heat in. 

Below are 10 of the best caves for exploring in the Central Texas area. Some may be minutes away, others worth a day or overnight trip. 

1. Natural Bridge Caverns: 26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio. 210-651-6101.

Natural Bridge Caverns.  Courtesy/Mr.512, Flickr

One of the most well-traveled caves in Texas, visitors can choose between 5 different cave tours: the Aquifer Tour, Adventure Tour, Lantern Tour, Hidden Passages Tour and the Discovery Tour. Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest known commercial caverns in the U.S. state of Texas. The name is derived from the 60-foot natural limestone slab bridge that spans the amphitheater setting of the cavern's entrance. The span was left suspended when a sinkhole collapsed below it. The deepest part of the public tour is 180 feet below the surface, although undeveloped areas of the cavern reach depths of 230 feet.

2. Longhorn Caverns: 6211 Park Road 4 S., Burnet. 512-715-9000.

Longhorn Caverns. Courtesy/Ed Schipul, Flickr

Located less than 90 minutes from Austin, is Longhorn Cavern State Park. The park is named for Longhorn Cavern, a limestone cave formed by the cutting action of an underground river that receded thousands of years ago. Before the cave became a tourist attraction, it was used over the years by Indians, Confederate soldiers and outlaws. In the 1920s, during the prohibition period, the cavern was used by Burnet County residents as a speakeasy. Performing musicians would entertain through the night. Cave access is by guided tour only. Current Cavern Walking Tour activity fees are: Adults (13+) $17.50; seniors (65+) $16.50; Military with ID, $16.50; kids (3-12), $12.75; infants (0-2), free.

3. Caverns Of Sonora: 1711 Private Road 4468, Sonora. 325-387-3105.

Sonora Caverns. Courtesy/Leah Jones, Flickr

Another National Natural Landmark, Sonora Caverns are located 8 miles west of the small city of Sonora, in Sutton County, Texas. One of the main reasons the cave is so well-known is due to its array of calcite crystal formations, especially helictites. These helictites are found in extreme abundance — One formation is so densely packed with them, it has been dubbed the “snake pit.” Tour costs $16 per child and $18 per adult.

4. Inner Space Cavern: 4200 N Interstate 35 Frontage Road, Georgetown. 512-931-2283.

Inner Space Caverns. Courtesy/jenny | rainsoaked, Flickr

Inner Space Cavern was discovered by the Texas Highway Department in 1963 during the construction of Interstate 35. There were several large openings to the caverns during the Ice Age, and several skeletons of prehistoric Ice-Age animals have been found in the caverns. Some filled-in sinkholes have also been found, including the prehistoric entrance to the caverns. Several miles of cave passage have been surveyed, with many sections of the cave remaining unexplored, due to filled-in areas blocking passage. The caverns were carved by water passing through Edwards limestone. Beginner tours cost $12.95 for children and $20.95 per adult, but other more challenging tours are offered depending on skillset.

5. Cascade Caverns: 226 Cascade Cavern, Boerne. 830-755-8080.

Cascade Cavern. Courtesy/Cascade Cavern, Facebook

This limestone solutional cave 3 miles south of Boerne. It has been commercially operated as a show cave and open for public tours since 1932. Informal tours were run as far back as 1875 when Dr. Benjamin Hester owned the cave property. The cave was known by the native Lipan Apache people who lived in the area prior to 1800. Operators suggest calling first to make sure the cave is open as it periodically closes for flooding. More information and tour costs here.

6. Kickapoo Caverns: P.O. Box 705, Brackettville. 830-563-2342.

Kickapoo Cavern. Courtesy/Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Kickapoo Cavern is approximately 0.25 miles in length (1,400 feet) and boasts some impressive formations. Tours are offered on Saturdays by reservation. Stuart Bat Cave (formally Green Cave), is another slightly shorter cave at 1,068 feet, is home to large numbers of Mexican free-tailed bats for part of each year. The bats migrate to the cave in mid-March, and usually stay through the end of October. Wild cave tours ($10 per person) are scheduled every Saturday at 1 p.m. and require reservations. According to Texas Parks, the cave is in an undeveloped state and is a moderately strenuous underground hiking adventure.

7. Colorado Bend State Park Caves, P. O. Box 118, Bend, 325-628-3240.

Gorman Cave. Courtesy/Butch Fralia, Texas Speleological Survey

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department holds weekend wild cave tours at Cicurina Cave, Dynamite Cave, Gorman Cave, Lemons Ranch Cave and Turtle Shell Cave. The park also features the ever-popular Gorman Falls. Tours are held throughout the week, primarily on weekends and attendees must be 4 years or older. Cost: $12 per person. Reservations for tours are required. Information here. Colorado Bend State Park is west of Lampasas and southeast of San Saba. From the intersection of U.S. Highways 281 and 183 in Lampasas, take FM 580 west 24 miles to Bend and follow the signs four miles to the park entrance (two miles of dirt road).

8. Devil's Sinkhole: 101 N. Sweeten St., Rocksprings. 830-683-2287.

Devil’s Sinkhole. Courtesy/Overland Race Management, Flickr

The Devil's Sinkhole is a National Natural Landmark that houses one of the state’s largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats. This enormous vertical cavern is thought to be the largest single-chamber cavern in Texas. Evening bat emergence tours, day tours to see the sinkhole, nature hikes, and even morning bat return flight tours are offered. Reservations are required. Tickets for the morning tour are $20 and $10 for children 11 and younger.

9. Westcave Preserve: 24814 Hamilton Pool Road, Round Mountain. 830-825-3442.

Westcave Preserve. Courtesy/Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, Facebook

The guided tours on this 75-acre preserve take visitors from an arid savanna through a limestone crevice into a sheltered canyon of lush plant life. At the head of the canyon stands Westcave, with a stunning 40-foot waterfall replenishing the emerald pool below. Friday public tours are also available during the summer months. Advance reservations are required. Cost: $10 per adult; $5 per child (ages 4-12 years); $25 per family (immediate family only).

10. Wonder World Park: 1000 Prospect St., San Marcos. 512-392-3760.

Wonder wishing well inside the Balcones Fault Line Cave. Courtesy/Edwards Aquifer website

Explore the Balcones Fault Line Cave. Also called the Wonder Cave, it was discovered in 1896 by a farmer drilling for water. Referred to as a "dry-formed" cave, there are only a couple of formations created by dripping water and they are no longer growing. It became Texas' first show cave in 1903 when the owners began charging a nickel for visitors to take unguided tours. Cost: Adult, $24.95; 6-12, $16.95; 3-5, $9.50; 65+, $16.95. Military discounts available.