Bracken Bat Flight
Bracken Bat Flight
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
28 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
1
volcanogirl
Houston, TX14,394 contributions
Sep 2022
The Bracken bat flight is something you have to see to believe. We had a wonderful experience here. It was a rainy day, and we weren't sure if they would still allow visitors in or if the event would be cancelled. Luckily things went on as planned. We arrived around 6:15. The driveway where you turn is a bit hard to find. Look for the orange cones just past a subdivision called Seven Hills Ranch on the left hand side of the road if you're coming from San Antonio. If you reach Natural Bridge Caverns, you've gone too far. They close the front gate at 6:30. Once inside we were greeted by a nice lady who checked our names off the list and told us to head on down the gravel road. As we were driving, we had several deer run across the road in front of us. Once you reach the site, you can either attend the bat lecture in the covered area or head to the wooden benches that sit across from the entrance to the cave. We opted to go the cave to take photos before it got dark. As it got dark, we saw several raccoons head down to the entrance of the cave; we had no idea that they were predators for the bats. Hawks also circle overhead looking for easy prey. At about 8:00 the bats started exiting the cave - close to 20 million of them. They swirl around in what looks like a bat tornado getting higher and higher until they reach the point where they can trail off into the sky. It takes hours for them to leave the cave. We watched for a little over thirty minutes before it got too dark to see them anymore. It was amazing - definitely an experience worth doing. A lot of people are fearful of bats, but imagine how many mosquitoes they eat, and they're also pollinators. If you're interested in going, you have to join Bat Conservation International with a small donation. They'll give you a date for the ticket release, and you can reserve your spot then. Bring a small flashlight with you because it's very dark when you head back to your car. There's a porta potty style restroom on site. If you're a nature lover, put this on your to do list - it's simply amazing, and we look forward to going back next year.
Written 7 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karena T
Euless, TX2 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Wonderful experience with the family. Took my mom for her birthday and she loved it. We enjoyed the experience. There is a drive down a rugged road and a short walk, take bug spray and there is only one potty.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LeslieMarieTX
Austin, TX32 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
I cannot imagine how anyone could find this experience less than absolutely magical. The batnado that surrounds you in swirls goes on and on. Watching these amazing creatures go out for the night is enchanting and mesmerizing. Thank you to the BCI and the dedicated volunteers for sharing this bucket list experience with us!
Written 24 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gfm1118
Willow Street, PA483 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
This is and unbelievable event that should be on your to do list. It is simply amazing. You have to go to batcon.org and become a member ($15). After u do that, a reservation is requires and admission is free. The people that ran it the night we wen were very professional and gave a great presentation prion to walking to the and waiting for the bats to come out at dusk. Again, it was incredible. Once they started, bats were pouring out of the cave for over 45 minutes, swirling around, forming together and flying off to consume millions of insects and moths. And, no, we did not leave wearing any guano.
Written 16 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrienne B
San Antonio, TX215 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
This was so amazing and fun. Educational and great volunteers explaining it. My hubby took me on a date here. I was amazing and loved watching them and learning about Bats.
Written 23 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stay568009
13 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
My friends from Chicago told me about this place and I am a native Texan and had never heard about it. All I knew was Carlsbad Caverns (400,000 bats) and the bats under the bridge in Austin, Texas (1.5 million). But 20 million???? That's what comes out of Bracken. The female and juvenile bats take 4 hours to emerge and it is a black cloud that covers the sky with the sound of a highly static television or radio. One needs to become a member of the Bat Conservation Society to be able to visit this private place. It is very well organized. THIS IS A MUST DO FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST MAMMAL MIGRATIONS. The bats arrive from Mexico for the summer, have babies, and then return home. My friends had met during a safari to see the wildebeest migration in Africa and this was another amazing mammal migration event.
Written 18 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cameron Franco
1 contribution
May 2019 • Business
Amazing experience to travel and document the Mexican free-tailed bats the Batman was a unique and outstanding gentleman thank you for informing us and greeting us. Fantastic experience.
Written 31 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathleen C
cibolo, United States5 contributions
May 2018 • Family
So much to earn about bats! Wonder experience for whole family! Learn to appreciate bats and all they do for our ecosystem - amazing creatures!
Written 18 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davin D
San Antonio, TX897 contributions
Nov 2018 • Friends
This is an awesome sight to see! I don’t know what kind or how many bats that run out of here but it’s like a black cloud from a scary movie coming out. Pretty Cool!
Written 19 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Candace S
Las Vegas, NV126 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Traveled to S.A. specifically for this (though I did check out the Congress Avenue bridge bats the evening before). When you hear about how many bats are in the cave, it's hard to grasp. Until you watch them pouring out and realize even at that pace, it takes hours for them to all get out! I chose one of the new "18+ only" tours to avoid noisy kids. Unfortunately, some adults also are unable to be quiet. While the bats were pouring out, I sporadically heard people talking. When I took a peek behind me, I realized that the BCI folks seemed to be talking more than the visitors! Though they asked us beforehand to be as quiet as possible. Also...if you are going to bring a metal water bottle with you, please handle it with care. It makes a lot of noise when you drop it on hard or rocky ground! Anyway, these were minor nuisances and I still found the bat flight amazing and worth the trip. If you didn't bring your own, BCI does have some binoculars you can borrow while you're there. They're particularly useful for watching the raptors who arrive on the scene to predate the bats!
Written 23 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trish H
17 contributions
I am in Austin for a few days. There are no tickets available to see the bats. Can I get a good view from a distance if I go to Bracken?
Beverly L
Houston, TX165 contributions
once the bats exit the cave and get away from the reserve they spread out and it's hard to see them. you really have a difficult time seeing them then; so i am doubting it. stop by the Congress Ave Bridge.. it's not as dramatic, but you can see the bats fly off for the evening.
James G
Eugene, OR57 contributions
Is there a shuttle to the cave from downtown San Antonio?
Beverly L
Houston, TX165 contributions
no. i don't believe so. it's on private property. people have to RSVP at the BCI site, and then everyone meets just inside the gate and at the appointed time, every one drives approx 2 miles down to the parking lot. there's a quick Welcome and Talk about the Cave etc. and then the volunteers lead folks to the cave.
ahirata
Vancouver, Canada41 contributions
I'm going to Austin next week (first weekend in May) and would love to see this. Even if the tours aren't operating, would I be able to see the bats??
hellomidge
San Antonio, TX39 contributions
The cave entrance is more than a mile into the property. You would not be able to see the bats exit. You may be able to see them in the sky but not sure where you would stop to see that, or if you would recognize them out of context.
There are plenty of structures and bridges in Austin and San Antonio that you can see smaller bat colonies from however. Austin's most well-known spot is the Congress Street bridge.
Can you see the bat flight at the end of May?
Beverly L
Houston, TX165 contributions
the bat tour is open May through Sept i believe
Arlene S
San Antonio, TX1 contribution
Is there an age restriction for the Members night bat flight?
Beverly L
Houston, TX165 contributions
no, but one must be able to walk a approx 1/4 miles back to the viewing area. i saw people carrying their babies on their backs in baby carriers. strollers are difficult to maneuver on trails
BRACKEN BAT FLIGHT (San Antonio) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Bracken Bat Flight
- Hotels near Bracken Bat Flight:
- (1.27 km) Tuscan Style - Best Suited for Couples, Business Travelers, or Corporate Rental
- (11.29 km) Hampton Inn & Suites Selma-San Antonio-Randolph AFB Texas
- (1.37 km) Home in a country setting, yet within 10 minutes of city amenities.
- (9.20 km) Hampton Inn & Suites Schertz
- (12.31 km) Hilton Garden Inn San Antonio-Live Oak Conference Center
- Restaurants near Bracken Bat Flight:
- (7.99 km) 18 Oaks
- (2.39 km) Wraptitude
- (7.86 km) JW Marriott San Antonio - Cibolo Moon
- (3.36 km) Oak Valley Vineyard
- (14.31 km) Bourbon Street Seafood Kitchen