Fredericksburg - Old Tunnel State Park

Bat Haven
An old railroad tunnel here provides a seasonal home for around 3 million bats. Join us for a bat program to learn more about these flying mammals and to watch them embark on their nightly search for food!

Things to Do
Besides viewing the bats, you can also picnic, hike, bird-watch, stargaze and look for wildlife. Explore our short (less than 1/2 mile) nature trail, watching for wildlife, a view of the tunnel, and signs with bat lore and railroad history.

Bring your own drinking water, as water is not available in the park.

We have a few rules to protect both the bats and you:
No camping, pets or smoking.
Stay on the designated trail when hiking.
Do not approach the tunnel.

Bat viewing
Old Tunnel is home to up to 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats and 3,000 cave myotis bats from May through October. We open the park in the evening for bat viewing and programs (depending on staff availability) while the bats are here.