Visitors to Old Tunnel State Park, located 11 miles south of Fredericksburg on the Old San Antonio Road, can get one of nature’s best shows around between May and October.
Those who arrive early enough can get a seat close to the action where hundreds of thousands of bats leave an old railroad tunnel to spread out over the region and feast on insects and moths. Only 70 seats are available for the presentation and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Cost for that program, as well as admission to the lower trail and lower viewing seats, is $5 per person. Park guides conduct an educational program in the lower observation area closer to the tunnel about 30 minutes to an hour prior to the estimated bat emergence times on Thursday through Sunday evenings.
Others may watch the nightly emergence from observation decks located just above the opening of the tunnel. In addition, the upper viewing deck contains glass-plated biological displays aimed at educating the public on the life cycle of the bats and their importance to the ecological system.
Beginning in late March or early April, up to three million-plus bats make their home inside the 920-foot landmark railroad tunnel at the 16.1acre Old Tunnel State Park.
Mexican Free-tailed Bats, as well as an estimated 3,000 cave myotis bats, funnel out of a now-defunct railroad tunnel between May and October. The largest bat populations and corresponding longer emergence times (up to 45 minutes) fall later in the summer.
Originally built in 1913, the tunnel was used by the Fredericksburg and Northern Railroad until its abandonment in 1941.
Attendees also can enjoy hiking, bird-watching and general wildlife viewing on the half-mile nature trail. The trail opens daily at sunrise and closes at 5 p.m. The trail is primitive and can be steep.
To minimize disturbance to the bat colony and for safety, visitors are asked to stay on the designated trail and not approach the tunnel.
Visitors are also advised to bring drinking water, as no water is available in the park. Picnic tables are available. Restrooms are only open in the evenings during bat season (May to October).
Due to the sensitive nature of the park, no camping, pets or smoking is allowed. Picnic tables are available at the park, along with a half-mile birdwatching trail.
OLD TUNNEL STATE PARK 10619 Old San Antonio Road Fredericksburg, TX 78624 The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Phone 866-978-2287 for a recording that details expected show times for bats to take flight.
Or email the staff for information at [email protected].
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