Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Visiting San Antonio Natural Landmarks

By Amanda Duff


San Antonio is most recognized for the Alamo, but the city offers much more. San Antonio is a busy metropolitan city with a strong economy and culture all its own. San Anotnio also offers visitors and residents some amazing scenery and natural sights. San Antonio natural landmarks are unique and a treat for any travelers that have an interest in unique natural sights.

Natural Bridge Caverns

One of the San Antonio natural landmarks that are famous are the Natural Bridge Caverns. A 30-minute drive from the heart of San Antonio, shuttle service is also available. The The caverns were discovered in 1960 and are named for the natural limestone bridge near the entrance. The Natural Bridge Caverns are the most extensive caves in the San Antonio area and one of the biggest in Texas. The caverns are on the list of National Historic Places due to proof of human artifacts going back millenia.

Cascade Caverns

Not very far from San Antonio are the Cascade Caverns. Their naturally cool temperature makes it the most ideal spot to go to visit in the hot Texas summer day. These Caverns are famous for its 100ft waterfall in the cave depths. The Lipan Apaches discovered the Cascade Caverns in the 1700s. The Kiowa, Lipan Apaches and Comanche Native Americans had been in the area since around 8000 BC.

San Marcos Springs

Found northeast of San Antonio is San Marcos Springs. Over 200 natural springs emerge from the Edwards Aquifer and create the headwaters of the San Marcos River. Thanks to the existence of potable water, this became one of the very oldest and steadily inhabited areas on the continent. Archeological excavations in the area have uncovered artifacts that can be dated 12000 years in the past. Through the years, this became an amusement park area hitting its peak in the 1950s. During the past few decades, the area has been allowed to return essentially back to nature and the area has been named a critical wetlands habitat. The springs are home to a few endangered wildlife and plants, including Texas Wild Rice, the fountain darter and several types of salamander.

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Of the San Antonio natural landmarks, the Lost Maples is also reasonably well known. The Lost Maples State Natural Area is 71 miles west of San Antonio. Named for the Uvalde bigtooth Maple trees in the area, it's an fantastic example of the Edwards Plateau ecology featuring a spread of terrain. Uvalde Maple trees only grow in really select habitats and are so a great distance away from other maples they are known as "Lost Maples" The trees prosper in protected rocky regions where a reasonable climate is maintained. There's evidence that the Maples are ice age remnants of a massive maple forest at a point in time when the climate in the area was more temperate. This park is popular for its attractive fall trees changing colors in early November.

Those who enjoy nature will be sure not to miss these natural landmarks in San Antonio. The entry costs are free to nominal. These natural landmarks are open all year excepting one or two important holidays or due to extreme weather.




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