BAT EMERGENCE VIEWING AREA OPEN TO PUBLIC WITH SOME RESTRICTIONS

BAT EMERGENCE VIEWING EMERGENCE AREA OPEN TO PUBLIC OPEN WITH SOME RESTRICTIONS

An old abandoned railroad tunnel is home to up to three million bats from May through October. During those months, visitors can watch the bats emerge from the tunnel nightly.

Visitors can come to Old Tunnel State Park during these months to watch the bats emerge from the tunnel which was originally built in 1913. The tunnel was used by the Fredericksburg and Northern Railroad until its abandonment in 1941.

Now it is home to three million Mexican free-tailed and 3,000 cave myotis bats that spread out over the region and feast on insects and moths across the Hill Country.

Bat viewing begins May 1. There are 30 permits available for the upper viewing area and 15 available for the lower viewing area.

Permits for entry into the park and fees for the bat viewing must be purchased online. No permits will be sold onsite.

The activity tour fee for the upper viewing area is $2 per person regardless of age. The area will be limited to 30.

The fee for the lower viewing area is $5 per person and seating will be limited to 15. Due to the bat’s sensitivity to noise disturbance, children must be four years old to go to the lower area.

Programs at both the upper and lower viewing areas begin approximately one hour prior to bat emergence time. Portable toilets are available.

The upper viewing deck contains interpretive displays about the railroad and bats.

The park also has a nature trail that is open from sunrise until 5 p.m. There are no limits to the number of visitors that can visit the park during the day and no permit is required. The park does not charge an entrance fee.

Millions of bats funnel out of the abandoned railroad tunnel nightly at Old Tunnel State Park between May and October, and eat

25 tons of moths per night. — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo

Visitors need to remain on the trail and are also encouraged to bring their own drinking water as there is no water available at the park. Picnic tables are available at the viewing area.

Due to the sensitive nature of the park, no camping, pets or smoking are allowed.

The park is open daily from sunrise to 5 p.m.

Phone (866) 978-2287 for a recording that details expected show times for bats to take flight. Visit https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/ to obtain a permit, or go to the Old Tunnel State Park Facebook page or website for more information: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/old-tunnel.

WHERE?

10619 Old San Antonio Road Fredericksburg, TX 78624 Mexican free-tailed bat colonies spiral upwards in a counter-clockwise direction to gain altitude at dusk. Oftentimes, aerial predators, such as red-tailed hawks, can be seen catching bats as they emerge.

Gifts – Art Galleries – Gardens – Herbal Body & Bath – Cooking & Condiments – Classes

407 Whitney Street at Bluebird (past the old herb farm) • Fredericksburg, TX 78624 URBANherbal.com • 830.456.9667 • Open Tuesday thru Saturday 10-5 or by appointment

MAJESTIC MOUNTAIN

ENCHANTED ROCK WELCOMES VISITORS – JUST USE THE RESERVATION SYSTEM

Fredericksburg’s most iconic outdoor attraction — a granite monolith located 17 miles north of town — is also its most visited. Since getting overrun with visitors several years ago, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has instituted a reservation system that is helping control visitation. A new gate which closes at night also helps avoid late-night “wilding.”

As a state natural area, the focus at Enchanted Rock is the preservation of its native flora and fauna. That’s opposed to the mission at a state park, which stresses recreation opportunities for visitors.

“It’s more than just a piece of granite,” Park Superintendent Doug Cochran said. “There are several different ecosystems out here. There are about 970 different flora in the park. We want to protect this for our kids and grandkids.”

Enchanted Rock stretches up 1,825 feet in elevation, an awesome sight to visitors as they drive along Ranch Road 965. The 1,643-acre park straddles the Gillespie and Llano county line. It opened as a state natural area in October 1978 after its purchase from Charles Moss by the Nature Conservancy of Texas.

There are still plenty of recreational opportunities available via reservation. • Visitors, of course can challenge themselves to a hike to the top of the dome.

• The park has its main campground which includes restroom facilities, but also primitive camping sites throughout the park. (Interestingly, humans have camped in the area for 12,000 years.) Burn bans are in effect during dry times. • Trails, including the dome hike or the 4½-mile Loop Trail wind throughout the park. Guided hikes are also offered. (Check the park’s Events page on the park website for more events.) • Technical rock climbers also are welcomed to this popular site. (Waiver forms must be signed at the front office.) • The park is a nature lover’s paradise, with vernal pools, native plants and hundreds of bird species to view. • ERSNA also is one of just two state parks to be designated an International Dark Sky Park. It regularly hosts members of the Hill Country Astronomers group, who help visitors see “the stars at night, big and bright.”

Jason Crenwelge took this photo of the granite monolith from across Moss Lake. As a state natural area, Enchanted Rock focuses on conservation instead of recreation.

VOLUNTEERS

The volunteer group, Friends of Enchanted Rock, raises funds to restore hiking and walking trails, add recycling containers, landscaping, water catchment and much more.

Find them at www.friendsofenchantedrock.com or see their social media pages.

WHERE

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is located at 16710 Ranch Road 965, 17 miles north of Fredericksburg.

More information is available by calling (830) 685-3636 or visit the park’s website:

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchantedrock

RESERVE A SPOT

Visitors need to make a reservation to get into the park now through Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s online system. Book online at

https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com.

Park entrance fees have risen to $8 per person, while children 12 and under are free.

SOCIAL

Keep up with demand and if the park is open for visitors on Twitter @GoEnchantedRock.