This beautiful grotto at the Westcave Preserve is a hidden gem in the Austin, Texas area.
There is a peaceful and serene grotto hidden near Austin, Texas. It’s the ultimate place to take a family outing with gorgeous scenery and picture-perfect opportunities. This lovely grotto is located at Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center which is a 76-acre nature preserve near Hamilton Pool.
Visiting the grotto is only allowed with a guided tour, therefore you must reserve a ticket online. This is a popular experience so be sure to book well in advance.
When you arrive at the Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, you will meet your guide and go over some rules and history of the land. Then you will take about a fifteen-minute walk from the starting point through a limestone crevice and down a 100-foot staircase into a canyon before you reach the stunning grotto with a 40-foot waterfall. You will have about thirty minutes to enjoy the grotto area and take pictures before your fifteen-minute walk back out of the canyon.
We loved visiting the beautiful grotto and felt like we had plenty of time to take it all in. I cannot wait to visit again!
Tips for Visiting Westcave Preserve
You must reserve your guided “Walk Through the Grotto” experience (which is the only option for visiting the grotto, cave, and canyon) online ahead of time. The grotto is popular, so book well in advance.
The hike is about 1-mile, roundtrip, however, be aware that you have to hike in and out of the canyon via a long, winding, uneven staircase.
Currently, health and safety restrictions are in place which may include social distancing from others in the tour and masks. You can find out more information on their website about what to expect during your visit.
Bring enough water especially during the summer months for everyone in your group and dress comfortably in tennis shoes or hiking boots.
