Longhorn Cavern State Park: Backbone Ridge and Karst Discovery Trails (Blog Hike #1052)

Trails: Backbone Ridge, Warbler Walk, and Karst Discovery Trails
Hike Location: Longhorn Cavern State Park
Geographic Location: southwest of Burnet, TX (30.68469, -98.35052)
Length: 1.3 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: February 2025
Overview: A short, mostly flat loop on the roof of Longhorn Cavern.
Park Information: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/longhorn-cavern
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=980233
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming February 10, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: From Burnet, take US 281 south 4.9 miles to Park Road 4 and turn right on Park Road 4.  Drive Park Road 4 west 6 miles to the signed entrance for Longhorn Cavern State Park on the left.  Turn left to enter the park, and park in any of the parking lots near the Visitor Center.

The hike: Formed when an ancient underground river eroded its surrounding limestone, Longhorn Cavern's history as an important site dates to at least the mid 1800's.  Confederates mined bat guano here to make gunpowder during the Civil War, and in the 1920's the cavern's main room was used as a dance hall and music venue.  The State of Texas acquired the cavern and surrounding land from private owners between 1932 and 1937, and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked to build this park from 1934 until 1938.  The park opened in 1938, and the cavern was declared a National Natural Landmark in 1971.

            The CCC's buildings still serve the park well today, and the cavern remains the park's main attraction.  While cave tours start at $25, hiking here is free.  The park offers 2 short trails, and this hike combines both of them to form the longest possible route without retracing your steps.  This hike traverses classic arid Hill Country scenery, and it forms a nice tour of this park's above ground scenery either before or after your cave tour.

Main entrance to Longhorn Cavern

            If you do not plan to take a cave tour, then either before or after your hike you should visit the main entrance to Longhorn Cavern.  Walk behind the left (east) side of the Visitor Center and descend more than 50 stone steps to arrive at the locked gate that blocks the entrance.  The cave opening is impressive, but even more interesting are the limestone rock bridges that tower over your head when you stand in front of the entrance.  Take a few minutes to enjoy the scenery and shade at this site.

Trailhead behind Visitor Center

            After seeing the cave entrance, return to the right (west) rear of the Visitor Center to find the signed start of the Backbone Ridge Nature Trail.  The wide dirt trail heads southwest through fairly flat terrain with the limestone bedrock close to the surface.  Juniper/cedar trees are everywhere, and interpretive signs help you identify common plants in the forest.

Hiking the Backbone Ridge Trail

            Where a short-cut trail exits right to head for the park road at 0.3 miles, turn left to continue the Backbone Ridge Nature Trail.  A few hundred feet later, you reach a very short add-on loop called the Warbler Walk.  The Warbler Walk is less than 500 feet long, and it features interpretive signs that identify common birds in the area.

Limestone bedrock

            0.5 miles into the hike, you reach another major trail intersection.  A sign tells you that the Backbone Ridge Nature Trail goes right, and you could go that way if your cave tour time is almost here.  To extend the hike, turn left to begin the Karst Discovery Trail.

Rocky section of Karst Discovery Trail

            As its name suggests, the Karst Discovery Trail takes you through a drier and rockier area with lots of prickly pear cactus in the understory.  This trail also takes you through the deepest ravine in the park, which is about 45 feet deep.  At some points all of the rocky surroundings look the same, so pay attention to the yellow and blue paint blazes on the rocks to stay on track.  I thought I might see some sinkholes or alternate cave entrances in this area, but any of those features that are here blended into the rockiness.

Observation tower and picnic shelter

            At 1.1 miles, you reach the end of the Karst Discovery Trail where it intersects the park's picnic area loop road.  Usually the interesting part of the hike would be over here, but this picnic area contains possibly the most interesting thing on this hike other than the cave: a collection of CCC-built buildings including picnic shelters, a cabin, and an observation tower.  The combination observation tower and picnic shelter requires climbing a narrow winding stairway to reach the observation deck, but the tower's location on the highest land in the park ensures a nice view.  Walk through the picnic area to return to the Visitor Center and complete the hike.