Specialty Hikes and Events

Come learn archery with our certified trained staff in National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) and the 11 steps to Archery Success. Each session will be two hours long. Guests will first learn the basic archery safety and the 11 steps to archery success. Next staff will provide one-on-one hands-on instruction. Afterwards participants will rotate through testing their skill and patience to aim for targets.

Refresh yourself with an hour-and-a-half long round trip guided relaxing and silent hike into the canyon down to the majestic grotto for a moment of reflection. Along the way, your guide will pause with prompts to appreciate one's surroundings and take in the beauty of the canyon. Afterwards, guests will reach the head of the canyon where there is dripping spring along a stunning 40-foot cliff that stands replenishing an emerald pool below, with a 1-chamber room cave. Refresh yourself, by listening to the sounds in Westcave's majestic grotto area with a moment of silence and reflection.

Capture the majestic beauty of our unique Texas Hill Country nature preserve through your camera lens! Our photography tours take visitors along a 15 minute walk from an arid savanna through a limestone crevice down a 100 foot staircase into a sheltered canyon of lush plant life. At the head of the canyon stands a stunning 40-foot waterfall replenishing the emerald pool below! Guests will have a little over an hour to photograph and absorb the beauty of the grotto area without feeling crowded or rushed. Your guide will point out different angles that you can capture in front of and behind the waterfall, and inside of our 1-chamber room cave.

Join Cultured Forest at Westcave Preserve for an hour and half long guided Forest Bathing hike from an arid savanna through a limestone crevice down a 100-foot staircase into a sheltered canyon of lush plant life. You will pause for reflection at the head of the canyon where water falls along a stunning 40-foot cliff that stands replenishing the grotto. A tea ceremony will be held in the award-winning Environmental Learning Center to wrap up your experience. This session will be led by Cultured Forest founder Brooke Mellen, who you may have seen in Vogue and WSJ Magazine. She trained in Forest Medicine with Dr. Li in Japan.

Tour the night skies at Westcave Preserve, a dark sky location convenient to Austin. Star Party nights are an ideal opportunity to enjoy an evening gazing at the stars through a high quality telescope. With local astronomers on hand to answer questions, you'll be delighted and amazed by what you see and learn!

2025 Dates

Saturday, Feb 22, 2025 - 7-9 pm; Saturday, Mar 22 8:30 -10:30; Friday April 25th  9-11pm; Saturday, May 17 9-11pm; Friday, Jun 20 9:30-11:3; Friday, Jul 18 9:30-11:30pm

Discover what goes on during the night at Westcave Preserve! Join us for a hike in the canyon, led by local biologist. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a flashlight.

2025 Dates Coming soon!

Sat. March 15th 7:30-9:30pm; Sat. April 12th 8-10pm; Sat May 10th 8-10pm; Sat Jun 14th 8:30-10:30; Sat Jul 12th 8:30-10:30pm; Sat Aug 9th 8-10pm; Sat Sept 6th 7:30-9:30; Sat Oct 4th 7:30-9:30pm

A Ceremonial Sound Journey and Silent Nature Hike to guide us into tranquility. Expect an approximately hour and a half long guided silent hike into the canyon down to the majestic grotto for a moment of reflection/meditation at the Westcave waterfall, followed by an hour-long sound journey in our award-winning Environmental Learning Center. For the sound bath at the building, we recommend bringing your own mat and anything else that might be comforting, like a blanket, bolster, or pillow.

Fall 2025 Date Coming Soon!

Join us for a fun and informative bird hike at Westcave Preserve. These hikes are led by a local expert avian biologist. All levels of birders are welcome. Binoculars are provided, if needed. Westcave Preserve hosts over 170 species of birds throughout the year, including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, among other beautiful resident and migrant bird species.

2025 Dates Coming soon!

Westcave hosts over 170 species of birds and spring migration is one of the best times to experience our avian population. From the endangered golden-cheeked warbler to the colorful painted bunting, we have it all! All levels of birders are welcome. Binoculars are provided, if needed.