Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Kickapoo Cavern State Park is a 6,368-acre piece of state land housing of three miles of cave systems beneath its beautiful surface. Due to the abundance of caves, this park spent most of its life as a private spot for spelunking. It wasn't until public funding made Kickapoo Cavern State Park available for visitation in 2010 that it really began to grow as a popular recreational spot.

Since 2010, full RV sites have been installed adjacent to a newly built set of facilities including an arcade, swimming pool, public showers, restrooms, and gift shop. There are also 30 campsites available for more traditional camping and can be rented through the park's newly built main office. These areas are dog-friendly, provided they stay on leash throughout their visit.

There are currently 20 known caves contained within the park, although more are being found every year. Of these, two are major systems that stretch underneath the grounds for over a mile. Tours are available on Saturdays by reservation only and last from mid-March to the beginning of October. These cave systems are home to a large flock of Mexican Free-Tailed Bats, so tours are generally scheduled around their most active periods. There are a lot of regulations attached to this species, so it's wise to peruse the extensive literature regarding these regulations before your visit. Dogs aren't allowed in or around these caves unless granted special permission, including medical support dogs.

The year 2010 also welcomed the opening of the 0.75-mile Sergeant Memorial Trail, which winds throughout the campsites and into the park proper. This trail is perfectly suited for dog walking, and free refuse bags are available at several stations along its route. If you bring your canine companion, make sure to keep them on a 6-foot leash or shorter. Water is available all throughout this trail system.