About
Cave Tour of La Crosse and Wildflower Caves
Tour Guide: Nico Hauwert, Ph.D. Hydrogeologist
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Sat. August 16, 2025 9-noon
South Austin Creek Alliance and Dr. Nico Hauwert invite you to come explore two caves at the Wildflower Center! You will learn the history of cave-filling for ranching and development, and see how cave restoration brings back heritage wildlife. Caves are important for conveying flood waters into the ground to support spring-flow and they are critical habitat for wildlife. They are also fun, educational resources as well as great places to hang out on hot summer days. Many caves were plugged to create stock ponds for livestock or filled with trash to dispose of waste. How do historical land practices affect flooding, recharge to support springs and wells, or influence water quality?
We will explore LaCrosse Cave, which is a large walk-in cave with steps and rails. For those wanting a special challenge it has an optional short, crawl-through trip.
We will also check out Wildflower Cave, which has a stooping entrance room to view its formations. For those wanting more challenge, there is a squeeze through trip into a lower room where tricolor bats hibernate in the winter.
- An admission fee to the Wildflower Center is required that is $12-$18, but free for children under 2 years, UT staff or students, or Wildflower members. Payment must be via credit card (no cash accepted). You can buy admission tickets online in advance. For more info see https://www.wildflower.org/visit
- Cave safety gear including helmets with headlights will be provided. Wear shoes with sturdy grip (like tennis shoes) and it’s a good idea to wear clothes that can get dirty.
- Liability release forms must be completed and signed.
- This event is for 20 people, maximum. *** Minors must be registered separately and all release forms must be signed.
- As an extra treat, an animated dinosaur exhibit is also happening at the Wildflower Center that you can enjoy before (as early as 7am) or after!
Entrance fee to the Wildflower Center is not included in this registration. Entry fee to the Wildflower Center must be paid in order to participate.
