Enjoy the Bat Flights At Carlsbad Caverns
Although the wonders down under in Carlsbad Caverns are certainly worth exploring in detail, there’s another natural phenomena that you don’t want to miss topside. The bats. That’s right, I said bats –200,000 to 500,000 of them to be more precise. Each evening from late May to late October they exit the natural entrance en masse, and to be honest, these bat flights at Carlsbad Caverns are something you just don’t want to miss.
Bat Flights at Carlsbad Caverns
Although there are several species of bats that live in the caverns, the Brazilian free-tailed bats are the ones that exit the cave in the evenings. They are a migratory species, and they return to Mexico for the winter months, but they continue to come back to the caverns every summer. And apparently Carlsbad Caverns is attractive to them due to the safety, space and food sources that the caves offer.
Park management is also credited with putting policies in place that encourage the bats to return. First and foremost, they have limited the development of the caverns in the areas that the bats favor. Additionally, the damage inflicted by the early 1900s guano miners has been repaired.
But perhaps the most proactive changes to help the bats feel more at home have been made to the bat flights at Carlsbad Caverns themselves. Every evening before the bat flight begins, rangers clear the natural entrance to the cave, so that the bats will have ample space to exit and do warm-up flights. And finally, they have instituted a strict ban on electronic devices – cameras, cell phones and camcorders – at all bat flights. Prior to this prohibition the flash from cameras, combined with visitors trying to get bat selfies temporarily blinded – and distracted — the bats. Today with no electronics allowed, the bats feel less threatened by the crowd.
Bat Flight Site
The bat flights at Carlsbad Caverns begin 30 to 60 minutes before sunset, with a ranger program at the amphitheater. Located close to the natural entrance, this site offers an optimal view of the bats exiting the caverns.
Although you can access the amphitheater from the main parking lot at the visitor center, it’s about a five minute walk to the amphitheater. It’s best for wheelchair-users and slow walkers to park in the “Bat Flight Disabled Parking Area”, which is located on the road to the visitor center. There’s a short accessible trail to the amphitheater from that parking lot, as well as an accessible family restroom nearby.
The upper row of the amphitheater is reserved for wheelchair-users; and if you need help or directions just ask one of the park rangers on duty. And although the bats still fly in the rain, the bat flight program is cancelled in the event of lightening. Check with the ranger in the visitor center for updated information about the bat flight program.
Beat the Crowds
If you want to bypass the crowds at the amphitheater, there is an alternative bat flight viewing site near the visitor center. Accessible parking is located at the far end of the parking lot, near the accessible picnic tables. The ideal site to view the bat flight would be along the short Nature Trail, which is accessible for about a quarter-mile; however that’s also closed during the bat flight.
An alternative viewing spot is available in a wide level area near the beginning of the Nature Trail. It’s just 350 feet from the accessible parking area, and with fewer people, you can actually hear the bats fly overhead.
Alternatively, if you want to totally ditch the crowds, think like a bat. Not only do they exit the cave at sunset, but they also return at sunrise. Get up early, park in the bat flight parking area, then head over to the amphitheater to see the bats return. Best bet is to shoot for 5 A.M., but it’s prudent to confirm the sunrise time the day before you visit. Not only will you probably have the park to yourself at this early hour, but you’ll also get to view the mass return in a quiet environment.
