Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Trail
18.00 Miles
N/A
$2.00
2point5stars (2.50)2
1point5stars (1.75)
2point5stars (2.75)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Brackettville
Kinney
More Info
Photos
View From The Barbado Ridge Trail
This is a view of the Park HQs and campground as seen from the Barbado Ridge trail. (Photo by Blaze)
Barbado Ridge Trailhead
The Barbado Ridge trail provides a nice view, but the trail is not well-defined and it is easy to go off trail. (Photo by Blaze)
Stuart Bat Cave
At dusk, thousands of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats fly out of this cave. (Photo by Blaze)
Sergeant Overlook
This is the overlook on the hill. (Photo by Blaze)
Entrance Sign
This is the sign at the park entrance. (Photo by Blaze)
Undeveloped
No lights, no paths, no handrails (Photo by cadenaang)
Light at the end ...
Looking at the entrance/exit at the end of the hike. (Photo by cadenaang)
Guide opens the gate
Cavern Entrance (Photo by cadenaang)
Log Entries
To The Bat Cave!
By Blaze on 8/24/2013
Rating: 1star Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: 4point5stars
Distance: 6.70 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 3 minutes

I arrived at Kickapoo Caverns State Park late in the afternoon, so I didn't have an opportunity to hike all of the trails.  I did hike the Sergeant Memorial Lookout Trail, The Pine Canyon Loop Trail, The Indigo Creek Connection Trail, and the Barbado Ridge Trail.  The last trail apparently ends on the top of the ridge, but the trail is poorly marked and where the trail ends is uncertain.  The weather started to deteriorate and rain, so rather than hike back on the ridge line, I decided to hike cross-country down to the road and back to my campsite.

To be blunt, the trails were not very scenic and the lack of tree cover makes the sun/heat brutal.  These trails are not ones I would make an exclusive trip for, but it may be worthwhile to hit this state park if you're in the general area.

One nice feature of this park is the Stuart Bat Cave.  At dusk, thousands of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats fly out of the cave into the night.  I stood at the entrance of the cave videotaping the event and it was pretty cool to have them whizzing past me quietly (all you hear is the flapping of their wings).

Great undeveloped cavern
By cadenaang on 3/7/2009
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A

Short hike, not very difficult.  Exciting to see undeveloped nature.  No solitude, it is a guided tour.  Since they only host groups for camping, the tours are full.

Recommended Item
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