Goodenough Springs
Amistad National Recreation Area [Activities] | Back
[All diagrams, photos, and information Copyright 2000-2003 Robert Laird. Not for use, duplication or distribution without express permission of the author.]

More up-to-date information can be obtained at the GoodenoughSprings.org web site.  None of the information below should be considered accurate or up-to-date.  This page is only rarely updated.  (Last updated in 2005).

Topographic maps of the area
29°32' N, 101°15' W

Check in with the National Park Service rangers 830-775-7492. The spring is located near Buoy 18. You won't find it unless you or your buddy have been there before. At normal lake levels, cave opening is at around 100-110 feet. This is a very advanced, deep cave dive. From Diablo East Marina, it's a 90-minute boat ride to get there, so take 2 sets of doubles and stages, food and water for the whole day, warm and waterproof clothes if it's below 70F outside. If you leave from Box Canyon, it's 30-40 minutes, but the drive to get air fills from Box Canyon is at least 25 minutes each way. (Photo of original springs.)

Lodging, cheap: Economy Inn <-- not any more! Days Inn
Ramada Inn: 830 775 1511 Nicest in town, full restaurant and bar
Holiday Inn Express: 830 775 8061 Newest, typical accommodations
Howard Johnson La Siesta: 830 775 6323 Older, but just remodeled, social hour, breakfast, neat place
Amistad Lodge: 830 775 8691 Located at the lake out of town, restaurant and bar, new management, good restaurant

Air fills: Holiday Trav-L-Park <-- not any more! Amistad Scuba Divers 830 775 0878

Nearest chamber is in San Antonio (150 miles); 512-696-7293

Source for O2 and Helium: Del Rio Welders Equipment, 310 Ave. F, Del Rio, 210-775-2141 (245cuft @ $21).

Remember, if using a boat, get a boat permit... they are about $4.

Boat rentals: No towing needed: Lake Amistad Resort & Marina (Forever Resorts), Diablo East Marina, $110/day for pontoon boat w/ $135 refundable deposit.

Boat rentals: Towing required: Puck Rehm at Rough Canyon Boat Rental; price varies but usually much less than Diablo East Marina. [Rough Canyon Boat Rental, Rough Canyon Marina, Del Rio, TX 78840 (830)774-3334] Rough Canyon is past the Box Canyon turn-off (it's not shown on the map below).

Goodenough is either a "fault cave" or a "joint-plane cave" having a significant vertical profile, with smooth walls of hard chert, large (marble- to lemon-size) gravel throughout, but primarily concentrated at the end of the Fire Hydrant tunnel (152ffw), with extremely strong outflow. This is a deep and very dangerous dive, and should be attempted only by experienced cave divers with trimix certification. Viz in the lake is near zero, deco needs to be done in lake water (cold in winter, 55-65F). Water temperature inside the cave is about 85~F year-round (one of the most surprising features of Goodenough). More often than not, water clarity inside the cave is poor, <25 feet, but it has been known to be crystal. The end of the Fire Hydrant tunnel represents an extreme restriction, possibly passable by only side-mount or no-mount, but may present digging opportunities; some divers have seen this restriction more open at times. Tunnels towards the rear of the main room in the cave may be passable by side-mount or no-mount. .

Here is a very rough sketch of the cave.

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE ABOVE SKETCH
This sketch is just that, a sketch.  In no way should you think it represents much beyond
a general concept of the cave and its environs.  Also, all the depths are based on
the lake level AT THAT TIME.  For example, in my original narrative, I mention the
restriction is at 152 ffw... right now it's at a depth > 200 ffw.  The point is, it varies. Do
not think "oh, it's only 30 feet beyond the recreational limit and that will be okay" because
there's a good chance it's way beyond that.  Trying to dive this cave on air will very
likely get you narc'd, tox'd, bent or worse.  I've had people misconstrue my intentions
on publishing this sketch: it's not an invitation, nor a guidebook.  It's purpose is to provide
a general concept for planning purposes to EXPERIENCED trimix cave divers.  If you're
not one of those guys or gals, then don't even think about it.

This gives you a rough idea of where the cave is located (red dot near left side of map).