Hi , Daryl Whitworth here at the Bat Tunnel State Park just south of Fredericksburg, Texas. This old abandoned railroad tunnel is home to millions of Mexican free-tailed bats during the summer months.
The tunnel was originally constructed in 1913 as part of a railroad spur from San Antonio to Fredericksburg, Texas. It was abandoned in 1941 and the bats began to make it their summer home soon after that.
Some people refer to it as the Fredericksburg bat cave. But unlike other bat caves in the Texas Hill Country, the tunnel is open on both ends.
The bats return to the Texas Hill Country in late spring, typically around May and make their home in the tunnel until around October. They usually emerge about an hour or so before sunset, but that can vary by an hour or more each evening. It is always best to call ahead for the current emergence time.
The bat tunnel is located about 10 miles south of Fredericksburg on the Old San Antonio Road. There is a parking area and both upper and lower viewing decks.
The upper viewing deck is open nightly at no charge. The lower viewing area is open on Thursday through Sunday evenings for special educational presentations and the fee for the lower viewing area is $5 per person regardless of age. Seating is first come, first served and is limited to 70 visitors.
Many of the bats emerge from the south end of the tunnel and have to circle counter-clockwise to gain enough altitude to get above the trees that have grown up at the end of the cave. They then stream towards the river to get water before they leave on their nightly hunt.
One of the things I think is kind of neat is that you often will see hawks perched in the trees south of the tunnel. They are there to try to catch an evening meal for themselves.
For more information on the Old Tunnel State Park and the many other great things to do in and around Fredericksburg, go to www.visitFredericksburgTX.com.
Take the short, scenic drive out to the Old Tunnel State Park and enjoy our nightly bat emergence.
Published on Oct 18, 2012
Over 20,000 bats emerging from an abandoned railroad tunnel in Fredericksburg, TX
The tunnel was originally constructed in 1913 as part of a railroad spur from San Antonio to Fredericksburg, Texas. It was abandoned in 1941 and the bats began to make it their summer home soon after that.
Some people refer to it as the Fredericksburg bat cave. But unlike other bat caves in the Texas Hill Country, the tunnel is open on both ends.
The bats return to the Texas Hill Country in late spring, typically around May and make their home in the tunnel until around October. They usually emerge about an hour or so before sunset, but that can vary by an hour or more each evening. It is always best to call ahead for the current emergence time.
The bat tunnel is located about 10 miles south of Fredericksburg on the Old San Antonio Road. There is a parking area and both upper and lower viewing decks.
The upper viewing deck is open nightly at no charge. The lower viewing area is open on Thursday through Sunday evenings for special educational presentations and the fee for the lower viewing area is $5 per person regardless of age. Seating is first come, first served and is limited to 70 visitors.
Many of the bats emerge from the south end of the tunnel and have to circle counter-clockwise to gain enough altitude to get above the trees that have grown up at the end of the cave. They then stream towards the river to get water before they leave on their nightly hunt.
One of the things I think is kind of neat is that you often will see hawks perched in the trees south of the tunnel. They are there to try to catch an evening meal for themselves.
For more information on the Old Tunnel State Park and the many other great things to do in and around Fredericksburg, go to www.visitFredericksburgTX.com.
Take the short, scenic drive out to the Old Tunnel State Park and enjoy our nightly bat emergence.
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Published on Oct 18, 2012
Over 20,000 bats emerging from an abandoned railroad tunnel in Fredericksburg, TX
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