The Texas Cave Conservancy and the Cedar Park Parks and Recreation Department invites the community to explore the caves of Cedar Park on Sept. 14.

The bi-annual Cave Day is an opportunity for visitors to hike several cave preserves normally closed to the public. According to the TCC, there are more than 750 known caves in Williamson County. Cedar Park caves are the only known home of the Rhadine Persephone, an endangered insect also known as the Tooth Cave ground beetle.

The self-guided event from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. is free. Parking for Cave Day is available at Deer Creek Elementary School, 2420 Zeppelin Drive, Cedar Park. The location also serves as a meeting place with TCC staff and volunteers. Visitors can also park along the streets bordering the preserve trail heads.

Open caves include:

Discovery Wells Cave Preserve, 15000 Anderson Mill Road, Cedar Park: This portion of cave day is a self-guided hike along a trail that leads hikers past educational signs located throughout the preserve. There is no cave access on this site, but there are more than 3 miles of trails for exploration. There is also a hike from here that visits the entrances of five caves in Buttercup Cave Preserve, which is open yearround to hikers.

Avery Ranch Cave, 9400 Morgan Creek Drive, Round Rock: This cave features on-site cave volunteers on Cave Day that assist visitors along a lighted deck. Parking for this cave is located at the Avery Ranch Tennis Court.

Dies Ranch Treasure Cave, 2709 Gholson Drive, Cedar Park: Visitors need to bring headlights or flashlights to explore this cave. According to legend, outlaw Sam Bass hid his treasure in this cave, which is located at the intersection of Zeppelin and Rambler Valley Drive.

Twin Creeks Historical Area, 2900 King Monument Lane, Cedar Park: This park has a historical log cabin, springs, tall trees, yearround running water and includes a Native American shelter cave. This site is available for visits yearround.

For more information, contact Cedar Park Parks & Recreation Department at 512-401-5500 or [email protected].