Have you ever felt the cool breath of history on your skin? Right here before you stand the Universal City Caves. These aren’t your typical dark and foreboding caverns. They are part of the Cibolo Creek Preserve a 52-acre haven donated in 1999. The preserve features a network of trails. These trails wind through the park eventually leading to the Universal City Caves.
The Universal City Caves are actually a series of exposed limestone cliffs and canyon drainages. They are not large sprawling underground systems. Think of them more as fascinating geological features. These cliffs form a narrow section of high bluffs. They join the east and west sections of the preserve.
Imagine Native Americans centuries ago. They might have walked these very trails. They might have hunted bison nearby. Some believe the steep banks were used as buffalo jumps. Bison were driven over the cliffs for easier hunting. There’s no definitive proof of a buffalo jump here though. The cliffs are certainly steep enough. This area has seen many changes. European settlers followed the Native Americans. Then came the railroad in 1877. The nearest stop was even named Cibolo Valley. Cibolo is Spanish for bison.
The Universal City Caves themselves are often partially submerged. Cibolo Creek can flood dramatically. The historic floods of 1998 and 2002 are a reminder. A tragic drowning occurred in 2013. The caves aren’t easily accessible all the time. Flooding and mud make it dangerous. The trails are best explored on bright clear days.
The cliffs of the Universal City Caves bear witness to time. The area has seen Native Americans European settlers and the arrival of modern life. They are a small part of a much larger story. This story is the story of Cibolo Creek. It’s a story of nature human history and the enduring power of a landscape. So take a moment to appreciate these small but significant caves. They are a hidden gem. They are a window into the rich history of this area. They are the Universal City Caves.