Carved by water erosion, the cavern is home to several million Mexican free-tailed bats that emerge at sunset during April through October.

While likely known to native peoples, the cavern was first discovered in modern times by Ammon Billings, a local rancher leading a scouting party of five, west of Hackberry Creek in Edwards County in 1876.

Billings fired at a marauding party of hostile Indians and believed he hit one.

Fearing a trap, they did not pursue the Indians but returned to the area the following day, May 21, 1876 with their spouses.

[8] With reservations, tours are conducted by the Devil's Sinkhole Society, a local volunteer group that works in conjunction of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Bat Conservation International to facilitate visitor education and tours.