Bat Flight Program
At dusk, hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats spiral out of the cave mouth. The viewing from the open-air amphitheater at the entrance is free.
Each summer, about 400,000 Brazilian (Mexican) free-tailed bats roost in the cave. At sunset they fly out in flocks to forage, and the spectacle lasts from about 20 minutes to several hours. The park hosts free talks at the open-air amphitheater beside the Natural Entrance. Electronic devices and photography are prohibited during the viewing to avoid disturbing the bats, so turn off your phone. The start time changes with the sunset and is announced at the visitor center each night. Occasionally from July to September, there are early-morning viewings of the bats returning to the cave.
Opening hours
Approx. late May–Oct, before sunset (times announced daily)
Nearby sights
- Natural Entrance Trail
- The Big Room
- King's Palace Tour
- Walnut Canyon Desert Drive
- Rattlesnake Springs
- Slaughter Canyon Cave
- Sitting Bull Falls
- Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park