Best Spots for Viewing Austin’s Bats
Austin’s urban bat colony is one of its most famous attractions. The largest colony in the country, it is the only known colony to exist in a big city. No visit to Austin is complete without heading out at sunset to watch as the bats descend into the twilight.
Here’s a list of tips that will help you experience the bats to their fullest extent, making for a memorable Austin experience.
What to expect?
It’s important to keep in mind that factors such as weather conditions and time of year will effect your viewing experience. A “bat hotline” is available to learn from experts when it’s best advised to visit.
Prime Viewing Spots
The best place to see the bats in Austin is the downtown area, offering the best views of the bats as they swarm the city. Many decide to gather on the bridge, while others watch from the privacy of their own lawns. Some opt to use rental boats to view the bats’ flight from the river. This makes for a particularly special experience, if you feel safe navigating the waters at night.
Lady Bird Lake
If you want to view the bats while still enjoying the charms of the city, Lady Bird Lake offers a variety of food and entertainment to pair with your viewing experience. Hotel accommodations are also located conveniently nearby.
Cruises
There are a few luxury cruises that take you around Austin’s rivers and lakefronts. Many of these offer the option to stop by the bridge at sunset, to watch the bats fly over. These cruises offer a similar experience to manning your own personal boat, but with extra amenities. Most rides cost between $9-$12 per adult, and $5-$7 for children.
Caves
Bats can be found elsewhere when not seen soaring across the skyline. Most common are the caves outside the city, where the bats tend to rest during the day. These caves are interesting enough to explore on their own, but discovering the bats in their natural habitat makes for an additional treat.
The most famous of Austin’s caves are Bracken’s cave, which is under the management of Bat Conservation International. The public can visit this cave only a few nights a year, however. Other caves such as Eckert James River Bat Cave could be visited more often, but bat populations are smaller.
Old Tunnel State Park
Another known hideout for Austin’s bat population is Old Tunnel State Park. This abandoned 19th century railroad tunnel is home to as many as three million bats. Viewing opportunities are open to the public seven nights a week, including educational opportunities to learn about the animals from local experts. The park is located about 15 miles south of Fredericksburg and you’ll need to call and reserve your spot.
