Karst Canyon Preserve

By Bonnie Eissler

Limestone is the bedrock of the Texas Hill Country. Over millions of years, slightly acidic rain and water from streams and rivers have shaped the Edwards Plateau into deep canyons, steep ridges, valleys and rolling hills, creating the area’s beautiful and fragile terrain. Karst Canyon Preserve in Wimberley officially opened as a protected public nature preserve in March 2026, culminating a multi-year effort by local conservationists and county government that saved the 175 acres from high-density housing development.

“This land is protected and all Texans and visitors from around the world can now enjoy and steward this special place that we fought so long and hard to save,” says David Baker, founder and executive director of the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association.

Karst Canyon Preserve is named after the unique landscape it protects. The German word karst, for the rocky Karst Plateau that on the border of Slovenia and Italy, was adopted by geologists in the 19th century as the international term for limestone and other soluble bedrock landscapes. In Texas, karst areas cover about 20 percent of the state.

Geological features of karst terrains include sinkholes and fractured rocks, caves and aquifers, dry valleys, creeks and springs. The cave and sink features at the preserve were identified and mapped during a survey by a team from Zara Environmental. “Five cave features, 49 sink features and two designated recharge features have been identified,” says Katherine Sturdivant, Hays County Parks Education Coordinator.

Karst Canyon Preserve is a critical groundwater recharge area, directly feeding the Trinity Aquifer and helping springs like Jacob’s Well. We have grown accustomed to hearing about, and worrying about, the critically low levels of the aquifer, as this area has faced drought and rapid population growth with unprecedented demands for groundwater. The karst limestone here refills fast when it rains, but drains just as quickly. Preservation of the Karst Canyon property helps combat the area’s water crisis by securing a direct pathway to the aquifer and preventing the high-density development that would have resulted in over-pumping an already depleted groundwater supply. Preservation also protects the quantity and quality of water refilling the aquifer.

In addition to its role in protecting the area’s water supply, the nature preserve is a great place for hiking, bird watching and geological exploration.

“The rufous-crowned sparrow is one of the birds we see frequently,” Katherine says. “Other bird sightings vary seasonally, but include meadowlarks, summer tanagers, painted buntings and golden-cheeked warblers.”

Over roughly two miles of public hiking trails, you’ll see native trees, plants and wildlife, sinkholes, rock fractures, a dry creek bed, and the opening of the Wimberley Bat Cave.

There’s evidence that a large colony of Mexican free-tailed bats once lived in the cave, but probably not for 15 years or more because of dense canopy growth. This likely caused the bats to abandon their roost by creating a partial barrier at the cave’s entrance and altering the microclimate of the cave.

Although the previous large colony of bats abandoned the site, there are a few tricolored bats living here. These tiny creatures roost solitarily and are one of the smallest bats native to North America. “We’re planning to build an observation deck over and around the bat cave so that visitors can get a better view, but still protect this fragile area,” Katherine says. They have applied for a grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife to fund this project. Photos courtesy Hays County Parks.

FYI • Karst Canyon Preserve is located at 1699 Mount Sharp Road. Open daily 8 am to 5:30 pm. Guided tours are offered the second and fourth Saturdays, beginning at 8:30 am. Visit hayscountytx.gov for more information.

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