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Caving is a sport. Speleology is cave science. The Texas Speleology Center is here to provide information on both, focused on Texas cavers, caving, cave science,
and the initiatives and entities that support them.
There are many ways to be involved with speleology and caving. The links below will lead you to pages that will help you to orient yourself to
the broad map of cave-related information and interest groups in Texas and its nearby neighbors. Some will lead you off-site; use your back button to return here.
- Cave Safely!: on this linked page, you'll find the best information on how to start caving safely -- what gear you need, necessary safety precautions,
and advice by established cavers and caving entities.
- Caving Clubs: Cave clubs are a great place to start caving and meet cavers. "Grottos" are clubs that are recognized by the National Speleological Society, the
national organization for all things cave- and caver-related, which has its national headquarters in Huntsville, AL, and an annual convention that wanders
around the cave regions of the US (organized by local host groups). Texas has grottos in each part of the state . . . .
- National and international caving organizations: . . . .
- Wild Caves: Wild caves are caves on private or public lands. Most wild caves on private land are not accessible;
local grottos can often provide you with the
information about access to them, if it is possible at all -- they have in many cases worked very hard to establish relationships with the landowners, and
may have science-related projects or other periodic access that can be compromised or closed if individuals break that trust. Wild caves on public lands can be
either accessed with appropriate permissions, or are closed except to limited access for science; many are managed in conjunction with entities like
the Texas Cave Management Association, or with established projects associated with the Texas Speleological Association or various grottos -- contact them
for access.
- Found a wild cave somewhere you have permission to be? Report it to the Texas Speleological Survey with a location (phone GPS is great)! If it really is
unknown, you may get naming rights; if it's known, you can get information on it.
- Show Caves: Show caves are caves that are developed as educational and recreational resources for visitors. Tours are given IN PROGRESS
- State and regional entitles that deal with caves, water resources, conservation, and preservation of sensitive environments.
- OTHER RESOURCES:
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- dictionaries;
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- information on "cave critters" (insects and fauna in caves);
- information on speleothems (stalagmites and stalactites, and many others. )
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