Pinnacles National Monument - Status of the Caves (U.S. National Park Service)

Bear Gulch Cave	The cave is partially open. The Bear Gulch Cave is partially open. The maternal colony of bats has returned to the upper portion of the cave. The lower portion of the cave remains open.
Balconies Cave	Balconies Cave is open. This cave can be closed suddenly due to storms and high water. Please check back before your visit to get the most current cave status.
	Flashlights are required for both caves.

Looking up through one of many openings in the Bear Gulch Cave

Information About the Seasonal Opening of the Bear Gulch Cave

The Bear Gulch Cave provides a home to a colony of Townsend's big-eared bats as they hibernate in winter and raise their young in summer. Townsend's big-eared bats are listed as a "sensitive species" by the state of California, and we are required to protect them. The colony in the Bear Gulch Cave is the largest maternity colony between San Francisco and Mexico.

The lower half of the Bear Gulch Cave is usually open from mid-July through mid-May each year, depending on the presence of the colony of bats. The entire cave is closed from mid-May to mid-July while the bats are raising their young.

We have constructed a new gate that will allow us to open approximately half of the cave to the public through the winter while still protecting the hibernating colony of Townsend's big-eared bats. A new trail leaves the middle of the cave and connects with the Moses Spring Trail, which leads to the reservoir.

As long as the hibernating colony of bats shows no signs of disturbance, we plan to keep over half of the Bear Gulch Cave open for almost ten months each year, from mid-July through mid-May. During especially warm springs, however, it's possible that the entire cave will be closed before mid-May if the maternity colony is present.

The entire cave will continue to be closed through late spring and early summer for pupping season, from mid-May through Mid-July. The entire Bear Gulch Cave will also be open twice a year for at least one week and up to four weeks each March and October, depending on the presence of the colony of bats.

Schedule of the Seasonal Opening of the Bear Gulch Cave
These dates may change if the colony of bats changes its breeding patterns or shows signs of disturbance.

March	The lower half of the cave may be open for the full month. The entire cave is open for at least a week, usually the last week of the month. The entire cave may also open earlier, depending on the presence of the colony of bats.
April 1 - mid-May	The lower half of the cave may be open.
Mid-May - mid-July	The entire cave will be closed to protect the colony of bats as they raise their young.
Mid-July - September 31	The lower half of the cave may be open.
October	The entire cave is open for at least a week, usually the last week of the month. The entire cave may also open earlier, depending on the presence of the colony of bats.
Nov. 1 - end of Feb.	The lower half of the cave may be open.

A Townsend's big-eared bat in the Bear Gulch Cave

Video of Townsend's big-eared bats in the Bear Gulch Cave
This video was taken by biologists using an infrared camera. This type of camera will not disturb the bats as they roost because like humans, they cannot see light in the infrared spectrum. This means that the camera can capture the images in total darkness.