Kickapoo Cavern State Park is a 30-minute drive turn off of Highway 90 near Bracketville, TX. This park feels more like a natural area than a state park as its quiet, scenic, and offers some great views of the rolling hills.
Kickapoo Cavern State Park Trail Map
Kickapoo Cavern State Park Map
Mexican Free-Tailed Bats and Caves
Cavern should have been a giveaway, but this state park is home to the Stuart Bat Cave, and the Mexican free-tailed bats that live in it. Texas is fortunate to have multiple caverns for the migrating bats, and this park offers a great place to relax and enjoy the views… and smells.
The other section of underground wonder is going to be the Kickapoo Cavern itself. For an additional $10 and reservation, up to ten guests can venture on a guided cave tour.
According to the TPWD site, there are 20 known caves on the premises, but those are the main two, and the rest are definitely off-limits.
Hiking at Kickapoo Cavern SP
This state park offers some fabulous hiking on its eight trails, and there are five points of interest to be on the lookout for.
The trails include:
- Seargeant Memorial Trail 0.7 mi.
- Pine Canyon Loop 1.9 mi.
- Armadillo Lookout Trail 0.6 mi. roundtrip TOP PICK
- Vireo Vista Trail 0.4 mi.
- Barbado Ridge Trail 2.2 mi.
- Arroyo Camino 1.5 mi.
- The Long Way Home Trail 6.7 mi.
- Stuart Bat Cave Cut Off 0.6 mi.
If you’re here for the day, definitely check out the Armadillo Lookout Trail and the Seargeant Memorial Trail. Those are two places where you’ll learn a little about the park, and enjoy some spectacular views.
Otherwise, get in your steps on the Long Way Home trail and traverse a large portion of what this park offers in terms of terrain and scenery.
The points of interest aren’t that notable with the exception of the Seargeant Trailhead and batcave, so just enjoy the views of the park and relax in this quiet hillcountry space.
Camping at Kickapoo Cavern SP
The 15 campsites are going to be situated near the headquarters building. Here you’ll find a variety of options for RV’s and tent camping.
There is going to be a restroom with show near by, and there’s ample parking that gives access to the camping area.
The campsites are going to be a mix of wooded and open, so visit the reservation link to learn more about what you can expect at each site. TPWD does a pretty good job depicting how each site will look, but some of the fun is the surprise when you pull into your site! Learn about making reservations at your state parks here.
Overall Impressions
Getting to this park is a bit of a drive from the main highway, but the reward is how secluded you’ll feel when you’re here. If you need to pick up a few things you can drive back into town and treat yourself, but this park is great if you really want to get away for a bit, or just enjoy a showing of the bats.
Sometimes the parks that offer too many amenities are crowded, and you’ll not feel that way at Kickapoo Cavern State Park.