Bat Flights at Carlsbad Caverns
Although the wonders down under in Carlsbad Caverns (https://www.nps.gov/cave/index.htm) 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 specific. Each evening from late April to late October they exit the natural entrance en masse, and to be honest, it’s something you just don’t want to miss. So here’s the lowdown on how to enjoy the nightly bat flights at Carlsbad Caverns.
The Bats
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 Carlsbad Caverns is attractive to them, as the caves offers safety, space and food sources.
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 flight program itself. 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.
The Bat Flights
From late May to late October the bat flight program begins 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. And if you visit before late May, you can still sit in the amphitheater to watch the bat flights at Carlsbad Caverns, but there won’t be a ranger program.
Wheelchair-users and slow walkers should 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. There is also a trail to the amphitheater from the visitor center, but it’s longer and may not be doable for wheelchair-users and slow walkers.
Another Alternative
It’s also possible to view the bat flights at Carlsbad Caverns from the main parking lot 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 – depending on the crowds – is available in a wide level area near the beginning of the Nature Trail about 350 feet from the accessible parking area.
And if you want to ditch the crowds, then think like a bat. Not only do the bats 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 and uncrowded environment.
