There's a lot to explore in Georgetown, TX, a small city about 25 minutes north of Austin. Georgetown offers sweeping Texas Hill Country scenery, picturesque lagoons along the San Gabriel River, and a downtown district that has been called the "Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas."

But Georgetown's most enticing landscape may be deep underground. Join us as we explore the unique world of Inner Space Cavern, one of Texas' largest cave systems, located just minutes from these Georgetown homes for sale. 

A Hidden World

Like many cave systems, the undergrown labyrinth now known as Inner Space Cavern was discovered by accident. It was actually the Texas Highway Department that stumbled upon the previously-unknown cave system in 1963 while constructing an I-35 overpass. 

During the process of regulation core testing, the construction crew inadvertently drilled into the cave eight times. Unable to find any other access to what they knew they had found, they drilled a 2-foot wide hole down 33.5 feet through the limestone bedrock, creating the first usable passage into the caves. 

Exploring 'Inner Space'

Through that original borehole, dubbed the 'Discovery Hole,' scientists began exploring this brand-new cave system. A larger hole was subsequently created, but to this day, no natural entrance to Inner Space Cavern has ever been found. 

We now know that all-natural entryways to Inner Space Cavern have been closed for about 14,000 years. But we are far from the only ones to have ever seen the caves, as Ice Age fossils of saber-toothed tiger, wooly mammoth, and giant sloth found within attest to. 

At present, several miles of passageways have been explored, some of which are now open to the public. But the majority of Inner Space Cavern's unknown depths remain unexplored. Still, the small portion that we've been able to access has given us some truly amazing discoveries. 

See for Yourself

Roughly 1.2 miles of Inner Space Cavern is open to the public and has been since 1966. Portions that are publicly accessible include winding passages and large, open 'rooms' adorned with striking cave formations. Drapery columns and a large room known as the Ice Cream Parlor are highlights of the cave. 

A variety of tours are available. These range from simple walking tours to more advanced wild cave spelunking tours. Check out the official Inner Space Cavern website to learn more about the various options available to the public. 

The basic cave tour is known as the Adventure Tour. It lasts about an hour and includes parts of the cave that are flat, fully illuminated, and open enough that one can comfortably walk upright. The slightly longer Hidden Passages Tour is a bit more physically demanding, taking visitors through newly-opened passages that are at times narrower and less developed. Wear closed-toe shoes and expect some uneven ground.

The most challenging and rewarding tour is the Wild Cave Tour. Lasting up to 4 hours, this tour involves hiking, climbing, crawling, and squeezing through tight spots but rewards visitors with an opportunity to experience parts of Inner Space Cavern that few ever see. 

Contact us today to learn more about life in Central Texas. When you're ready to find your dream home in Georgetown and the surrounding areas, our real estate agents are here to help every step of the way.