Bracken Cave Preserve Evening Bat Flight
Located less than 20 miles from downtown San Antonio, Bracken Cave Preserve is the largest bat colony in the world — home to nearly 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis). During the summer months, guests can visit and experience a “tornado” of bats emerging from the beautiful Texas hill country setting.
A limited number of tickets to experience the Bracken Cave Bat Flight on Thursday evening, June 26 are available for conference attendees and guests.
Tickets are $35, and transportation is not provided.
Know Before You Go:
WHEN TO ARRIVE
Throughout the summer, the emergence of the bats can vary depending on many factors. You will be sent an email from Natural Start three days prior to your reserved visit with your arrival time; it can range from 6:00–7:30 PM. You can also check the Visit Bracken wepbage for the current arrival time. Please bear this in mind if you’re planning a strict schedule.
WHERE TO MEET
The address is 7515 Bracken Cave Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266. Look for the Bracken Cave Road street sign and the blue “BCI Bat Flight” banners and drive in just past the gate. Staff and volunteers will be there to greet you.
DIRECTIONS
- From Interstate 35, take Exit 175 - Natural Bridge Caverns Road (Hwy 3009)
- Turn onto FM 3009 (heading west 7 miles)
- Turn left at Bracken Cave Road – look for the “BCI Bat Flight” banners
Important: Auto navigation systems directed to “Bracken Bat Cave” may take you to the wrong place. Look instead for “Bracken Cave Preserve” and ensure that the address listed is 7515 Bracken Cave Road, San Antonio, Texas 78266. If you pass the entrance to Natural Bridge Caverns on your left, you missed it.
RIDESHARE/TAXI
Because of the remoteness of Bracken Cave Preserve located off a rural road with no streetlights and miles from any services, Rideshare or Taxi service is not recommended unless your driver is equipped to stay the duration of the event and is included as one of your guests.
WHAT TO WEAR
- Please dress appropriately for the hot Texas weather
- Closed-toed shoes and comfortable clothing
WHAT TO BRING
- Bottled water (there is no water or vending on site)
- Insect repellent
- Hand sanitizer
- Sunscreen
- Camera (no flash, please)
- Binoculars
- Please eat dinner before you arrive, no food is allowed in the viewing area
WHAT NOT TO BRING: Pets, coolers, food, alcohol, cigarettes, vape pens. No RVs or motorcycles
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Arrive at Bracken Cave Preserve main gate for check-in. You will be given directions to the cave
- Drive to the cave parking area. Once there, look for the pavilion located across from the parking area
- There will be a short orientation and educational talk at the pavilion, look for the posted schedule before going to the cave viewing area
- Enjoy the spectacle of millions of bats emerging from the cave!
- You may encounter various wildlife. This includes snakes, spiders, birds, bugs, raccoons, opossums and more. Please be vigilant while at the preserve
- You may leave at any time after the emergence has started
Please note: there are several Live Cams installed at Bracken Cave Preserve in collaboration with Explore.org so that viewers around the world can get a glimpse of this phenomenon. This means that during the bat flight, your image, voice, and likeness could be captured on camera from a distance.
It is important that all guests are quiet and remain seated while in the viewing area and in the vicinity of the cave. Keep in mind the bat emergence times are unpredictable and can vary from night to night depending on weather and availability of food. If you or your children cannot sit quietly for over an hour you should reconsider attending a bat flight.
This outdoor experience is not recommended for children under the age of 6.
AMENITIES/ACCESSIBILITY
If you or a guest have limited mobility or accessibility needs, please let the staff or volunteer at the main gate know this when you arrive so they can accommodate you. There is a short ¼ mile walk over uneven surfaces from the closest parking to the viewing area. There is bench seating in the viewing area.
The preserve has a unisex port-a-potty with hand sanitizer just a short walk from the viewing area.
FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS DUE TO WEATHER OR OTHER FACTORS
If weather or other unforeseen circumstances require us to cancel an event, we will notify you by 3:00 PM the day of your visit by email. The Preserve will make every reasonable effort to reschedule if they cancel your bat flight. You will ONLY be contacted if the event is CANCELED. If the event is NOT CANCELED, you will not be contacted and will be expected at the gate by the designated time.
QUESTIONS
Check out the Bracken Visitation FAQs page at www.batcon.org/brackenfaq, or email [email protected].