Bear Gulch CaveLOWER HALF - OPEN
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March | The entire cave is usually open for the last week of the month. It may open earlier, up to the full month, depending on the presence 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 30 | The lower half of the cave may be open. |
October | The entire cave is usually open for the last week of the month. It may open earlier, up to the full month, depending on the presence of bats. |
Nov. 1 - end of Feb. | The lower half of the cave may be open. |

Joseph Negreann
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 rest there in winter and raise their young in the late spring and 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 gate that will allow us to open approximately half of the cave to the public while still protecting the 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.

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.


Last updated: January 30, 2023