Old Tunnel State Park: Bat Home in Fredericksburg Texas

Written By Dale Cook

Where, oh where, can you take the children who visit your home in Fredericksburg Texas? Have you thought of a day trip to Old Tunnel State Park? An abandoned railroad tunnel, this special bat home for up to three million Mexican free-tailed bats and 3,000 cave myotis bats. The little trip is a cool adventure, especially for elementary-aged students.

Where to Start at Old Tunnel State Park

Open year-round, Old Tunnel State Park charges no entrance fee and is open year-round. From May to October, visitors can participate in watching the bats emerge from the tunnel at night. Begin on the short but primitive nature trail for a little nature. Open from sunrise to 5:00 p.m., the half-mile hike passes the bat tunnel. At times, bats can be seen at the entrance, but this walk is also nice for watching birds and other small wildlife. Exhibits with information on bats and railroad history are located along the trail. The place may get crowded. Attendance is restricted to 250 people at a time in the upper viewing area. Visitors age 4 and up may view the bats from the lower viewing area during evenings. Tickets may be purchased at approximately 5:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Bats-viewing goes on every evening.

Education Programs

Park Rangers conduct educational programs each night to provide guests with the history and ecology of bats. In addition, they maintain educational materials that can be borrowed. “Bat trunks” include classroom curricula, videos, and a slide presentation. At the park, demonstration materials also included taxidermy combat, about detector, posters and other hands-on materials. Schools and organizations may also ask for a biologist to visit and teach on bats of Texas and bats and the environment. Current programs include:

  • Bats of Texas (Children and adults) Open to all

  • Bat Habitat and Limiting Factors -Grade 6 Science

  • Bat and the environment -Grade 4

  • Puppets and Bats Program – Grades 1 and 2 and libraries

  • Busy Bug Bodies – Grades Pre-K through 2
    Other options are provided via the Internet:

  • Introduction to Bats – Grades Pre-K to 6

  • Mammals of Texas – Grades 5 and 6

  • Conservation as the Career – Grades 5 and 6

Location

Old Tunnel State Park is located at 10619 San Antonio Road, Fredericksburg, TX 78624.

Dale Cook
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