Watch Dozens Of Bats Fly Above Your Head At Carlsbad Caverns National Park In New Mexico
By Courtnie Erickson|Published August 18, 2021
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is known for the remarkable caverns that you can explore. You can enter the Big Room Trail, the largest single cave chamber by volume in North America, and feel like you are entering a new world. However, there is much more to do in this national park in New Mexico than capture views of remarkable cave formations.
The Bat Flight Program at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico is a unique experience that you won’t find anywhere else in the Land of Enchantment.
The Bat Flight Program begins around sunset. It takes place at the Bat Flight Amphitheater at the Natural Entrance to Carlsbad Cavern and near the park's visitor center.
Around sunset, bats will begin to emerge from the cave in search of their food. They fly directly over the amphitheater so you will get an up-close and unforgettable view.
Don’t worry about the bats coming too close as you admire their flight. It is a rare occasion the bats come in contact and bother humans in this area. However, be aware that electronic devices of any kind, such as a smartphone or camera, are not allowed during the program. Research shows these devices can disrupt the bats and may cause changes in their behavior.
August and September are the best months to see the bats. In September, baby bats are typically old enough to take flight and search for food on their own. This results in even more bats emerging from the cavern and filling up the sky.