San Antonio Natural Landmarks to Visit

San Antonio Natural Landmarks to Visit

by Amanda Duff

San Antonio is most known for the Alamo, but the town offers much more. San Antonio is a major metropolitan city with a strong economy and culture all its own. San Anotnio also offers visitors and residents some breathtaking 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 best known are these caverns. A 30-minute drive from the heart of San Antonio, shuttle service is also available. The These 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 since there is proof of human artifacts and habitation harking back for thousands of years.

Cascade Caverns

Not far away 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 renowned for its 100ft waterfall inside 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 come forth from the Edwards Aquifer and coalesce to form the headwaters of the San Marcos River. Due to the availability of drinkable water, this became one of the oldest and inhabited areas on the continent. Artifacts have been discovered from archeological digs that can be dated 12000 years ago. Through the years, this became an entertainment park area hitting its peak in the 1950s. During the past few decades, the area has been encouraged to return basically back to nature and the area has been named a critical wetlands habitat. The springs are home to several endangered animals and plants, including Texas Wild Rice, several types of Salamander and the fountain darter.

Lost Maples State Natural Area

Of the San Antonio natural landmarks, the Lost Maples is also fairly widely known. The Lost Maples State Natural Area is about seventy miles west of San Antonio. Named for the Uvalde bigtooth Maple trees in the area, it is an glorious example of the Edwards Plateau ecology featuring a spread of terrain. Uvalde Maple trees only grow in very select habitats and are so far away from other maples they are known as "Lost Maples" The trees flourish in protected hilly regions where a reasonable climate is maintained. There exists evidentuary confirmation that the Maples are ice age remains of a massive maple forest at a point when the climate in the environment was more temperate. This park is well-known for its attractive fall trees changing colors in early November.

Those who enjoy nature shouldn't miss these natural landmarks in San Antonio. The entry fees are free to nominal. These natural landmarks are open all year apart from a few important holidays or due to acute weather.



Amanda Duff has been interested in <a href="http://www.historytoseeinsanantonio.com/landmarks/natural-landmarks-in-san-antonio/">San Antonio natural landmarks</a> for many years. Duff has written op-eds and editorial pieces for many online publications, which can sometimes be read <a href="http://www.historytoseeinsanantonio.com/">here</a>.

---------------------------------------------------
You are receiving this because you signed up for it on 2012-04-22 from IP 114.79.13.119
To fine-tune your selection of which articles to receive, just login here:

http://www.uniquearticlewizard.com/bloggers/

using your username:

To unsubscribe please use the following link:

http://www.uniquearticlewizard.com/unsubscribe.php?mail=wisatanusantara3.alankoesumah@blogger.com&code=d48035f43fb1db56998290ec5232b52c
---------------------------------------------------