an illustration of bats flying back into the cave. there are a variety of cave formations around

Dawn of the Bats

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

  • Jul 18, 2026 at 5:00 AM
  • Free

Join the Rangers at Carlsbad Caverns as we celebrate the Brazilian Free Tailed Bats that you’ve come to know and love! Embrace the bats in the home they’ve enjoyed for thousands of years with family-friendly events, special programming, and fun activities all day!

5am - 6am: Bats return from nightly hunting

5am - 6am: Carl S. Bat greets visitors as the bats return to the cave

6am - 7am: Ranger Program - All About Bats

7am - 8am: Vertical Caving Demo over the Natural Entrance

7:45am - 9am: Wake Up the Cave with a Ranger - Main Corridor Lights - must sign up the day before

7:45am - 9am: Wake Up the Cave with a Ranger - Big Room Lights - must sign up the day before

8am - 9am: Nature Hike with a Ranger

8am - 9:30am: Carl S. Bat greets visitors in front of the Visitor Center

8:30am - 10am: Coffee with a Ranger - free hot beverages provided

9am: Visitor Center opens

9am - 12pm: Bat Discovery Station in the Visitor Center

9:30am: Cavern opens

9:30am - 10am: Bat Trivia in Theater 2 - prizes to winners!

10am - 11am: Bat Talk with a Ranger - Theater 1

10:30am - 12pm: Carl S. Bat greets visitors in the Visitor Center

11am - 11:30am: Bat Trivia in Theater 2 - prizes to winners!

1pm - 5pm: Bat Junior Ranger Table

7:30pm: Bat Flight Program

~7:45pm: Ranger Program - All About Bats

 

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Schedule

Date:

Jul 18, 2026

Time:

5:00 AM

Event Type

  • Other
  • Talk
  • Walk
Tags: bats, carlsbad caverns national park, carlsbad caverns, dawn of the bats