Bat Flight at Bracken Cave Preserve
Bracken Cave, Texas is the summer home of more than 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats, making it the world’s largest bat colony and one of the largest concentrations of mammals on earth. The emergence of these millions of bats, as they spiral out of the cave at dusk for their nightly insect hunt, is an unforgettable sight.
To secure your spot for this Stewards of the Wild event, all attendees must complete both steps below:
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Register for the event on Wild Apricot using the standard event registration form.
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Purchase your $16.80 SOTW entrance ticket using this private payment link.
Both steps are required for entry into the event. Completing registration without purchasing the entrance ticket (or vice‑versa) will not grant access.
WHEN TO ARRIVE: Throughout the summer, the emergence of the bats can vary depending on many factors. You will be sent an email the week of our reserved visit to confirm the arrival time; it can range from 6pm to 7:30pm. Please bear this in mind if you're planning a strict schedule. Please be on time. Once the gate is closed no one else will be permitted to enter the property.
WHERE TO MEET: Look for the Bracken Cave Road street sign and the blue "BC| Bat Flight" banners. Staff and volunteers will be at the gate to greet you.
DIRECTIONS:
Address- 7515 Bracken Cave Road, San Antonio, TX 78266
From Interstate 35, take Exit 175 - Natural Bridge Caverns Road (Hwy 3009)
Turn onto FM 3009 (heading west 7 miles)
Turn left at Bracken Cave Road - look for the blue "BCI Bat Flight" banners.
IMPORTANT: Smartphone navigation systems directed to "Bracken Bat Cave" will take you to the wrong place. Look instead for "Bracken Cave Preserve" and ensure that the address is listed as 7515 Bracken Cave Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266. If you pass the entrance to Natural Bridge Caverns on your left, you missed us.
WHAT TO WEAR:
- Comfortable clothing for hot summer temperatures
- Closed-toed shoes.
WHAT TO BRING: Bottled water (there is no water or vending on site). You may also want to bring insect repellant, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, camera (no flash, please), and binoculars. Please eat dinner before you arrive.
WHAT NOT TO BRING: Pets, coolers, alcohol. No RVs or motorcycles.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
- Arrive at Bracken Cave Preserve main gate for check-in. Once our entire party has arrived we will be given directions to the cave.
- Please eat prior to arriving at the Preserve. There is no picnic area, and no food is allowed in the viewing area.
- Drive to the cave parking area. Once there, look for the pavilion located across from the parking area.
- There will be a short orientation and educational talk at the pavilion, look for the posted schedule before going to the cave viewing area.
- Enjoy the spectacle of millions of bats emerging from the cave!
- The preserve has a unisex port-a-potty with hand sanitizer just a short walk from the viewing area.
- Guests may leave at any time after the emergence has started.
- You may encounter various wildlife. This includes snakes, spiders, birds, bugs, raccoons, possums, and more. Please be vigilant while at the preserve and give the wildlife the right of way.
- It is important that all guests are quiet and remain seated while at the cave. Keep in mind the bat emergence times are unpredictable and can vary from night to night. If you or your children cannot sit quietly for over an hour you should reconsider attending a bat flight.
ACCESSIBILITY: There is a short ¼ mile walk over uneven surface from the closest parking to the viewing area. If you or a guest have limited mobility or accessibility needs, please let the staff or docent at the main gate know this when you arrive so they can accommodate you. There is bench seating in the viewing area.
CANCELLATIONS DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS: If weather or other factors are an issue, Bracken Cave Preserve will assess the situation and decide if the event will be canceled by 3:00PM the day of our visit. If the event is CANCELLED, you will be notified by email and in the GroupMe chat.
