Deep in the west Texas desert lies Phantom Springs Cave. Exploration divers there hit a record depth of 462 ffw / 140.8 m, making it the deepest underwater cave system in the United States!
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About Jacob's WellThe settlers didn't dive into it, of course, but treated it instead as a drinking fountain and later used it to power a saw mill. They named it Jacob's Well because of its biblical magnificence. Since the well was discovered, at least 4,500 feet of it has been explored.
The Wakulla System and now the combined Wakulla/Chip's System at more than 45 miles in length and 30 different entrances is the largest underwater cave system in the United States.
Swimming at Jacob's Well is currently not permitted.Please note that the park is still open for hiking and viewing the spring during our regular hours. Plus we have geocaching, bird watching and a Nature Center to explore and enjoy! We also have picnic areas, a labyrinth, a sundial, and a Loose Parts Play Area!
The well takes an initial plunge through 23 feet of well-lit water to an apparent bottom, but then it veers off into a descent of increasing darkness. I visited with Gregg Tatum who has logged over 250 dives there. He says it is no place for a novice.
Temperature of the water in Jacob's Well remains a near-constant 68°F and visibility is typically excellent. The spring provides habitat to numerous species of fish (principally sunfish and perch); turtles; aquatic insects; crustaceans; and, most notably, the cave-adapted Fern Bank salamander (Eurycea pterophilia).
Jacob's Well is the headwaters of Cypress Creek, which flows through Blue Hole Regional Park and feeds into the Blanco River. More than 200 Native Indian groups populated Central Texas and were collectively known as the Coahuiltecans.
Jacob's Well is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Hikers and other non-swimmers do not have to pay an entrance fee or make a reservation. However, they should arrive early as the park can reach capacity. Swimmers must pay a fee of $5 for children ages 5-12, $9 for adults, and $5 for seniors.
As of June 29, 2022, swimming will not be allowed at Jacob's Well Natural Area (JWNA) for the foreseeable future. The threat of high bacteria levels, other pollutants and poor visibility conditions are unsafe for swimming.
Son Doong is considered to be the largest cave in the world, based on volume and also the biggest cave in Vietnam, found by Ho Khanh – a Phong Nha jungle man in 1990.