More and more Texas caves are being gated to protect them. Cave owners are protected by state law from liability to cavers unless they charge a fee for entry. If you encounter owners who are worried about someone finding an endangered species in their cave, it may help to point out that endangered cave species are found mostly in urban areas like Austin or San Antonio, where there are many rare species and where caves are being destroyed. Unlike the Balcones Fault Zone, most Texas cave areas have only common cave species and no urbanization problems. Sometimes Texas cavers help owners locate water for their wells.
Owners also like to receive photographs, maps, articles, and letters.
Many cave owners are very proud of their caves and deserve credit for their good stewardship. Many caves have been omitted from this web oage because the caving community deemed them too sensitive to publish. Nevertheless, many of the caves on this page are also sensitive to excessive traffic. You have to drive up to the gate until the bumper touches it, then smoothly accelerate through the gate without hesitation. If you don't know how to do this, have someone hold the gate open as you drive through or you may damage your vehicle.