Ranger Led Programs

Aside from the guided cavern tours, park rangers lead nightly programs at the aptly named Bat Flight Amphitheater. Visitors gather by the natural entrance of the cave at dusk to watch thousands of bats rush out of the cave as they begin their nightly hunt for food. Before the flight, rangers present a talk with information about bats and conservation efforts. The official Bat Flight events happen every evening from Memorial Day through October, weather permitting. In the spring shoulder season, before the full flock of bats has returned to the park for the summer, rangers host a more informal Bat Watch, where visitors can gather for a question-and-answer session about bats and watch the few bats that have returned make their exit. Once each summer, rangers also lead the Dawn of the Bats, a sunrise viewing party to watch thousands of bats return to the cave after a night of hunting. Aside from the bat flights, rangers lead Night Sky events in the visitor center east parking lot. Because of the clear air and lack of light pollution, the night sky is especially vivid in the desert here. Rangers are available to answer questions and provide information about the constellations and galaxies visible through the telescopes. You can also take advantage of Full Moon Walks, which follow the Bat Flight program once a month. Participants caravan in their vehicles to a trailhead to take a short moonlit hike through the desert.