See a Bat Outflight at Bat Cave

On warm summer nights watch bats fly out of Bat Cave on the El Calderon trail.

NPS Photo

On warm summer evenings, Brazilian free-tailed bats burst from a lava tube known as Bat Cave for a night of hunting insects over the lava flows of El Malpais National Monument. Witness this phenomenon for yourself along the El Calderon Trail off Highway 53.

Seeing Bats On Your Own

Bats fly out of Bat Cave in search of food most summer evenings, typically from late May through mid-September. Head out to El Calderon before sunset to see the bats, but be sure to take proper precautions to ensure the safety of both the bats and you!

Know Before You Go

• Bring a flashlight, ideally stronger than a cell phone, for the hike back to the parking lot.
• Check the weather forecast. Late summer is in the middle of the monsoon season, and thunderstorms may pop up as the day goes by. Don't risk getting struck by lightning!
• Bring warm clothes. At 7,000 ft elevation, it gets chilly after the sun sets!
• Leave your pet at home. Dog barks are disorienting to bats.
• The peak season for outflight numbers hovers around the first week of July.
• Plan to arrive at Bat Cave at least 20 minutes before sunset. The hike from the El Calderon Trailhead to Bat Cave takes about 20 minutes.
• Keep in mind that bats are wild animals and are not always predictable. Some nights they won't fly out until after sunset, and occasionally they won't fly out at all! Factors like monsoon rains and temperature can impact bat behavior.
• Be mindful that reptiles, such as rattlesnakes, become more active as the sun goes down. Keep an eye (and ear) out for them on your way to and from the cave, and give them plenty of space if you see one.

Once You're at the Cave

• Keep quiet or speak in hushed voices as you approach and stay around the cave.
• Using flash photography is discouraged. You are still welcome to take photos and video, just without flash.
• Never shine your flashlights at the bats.
• Sit on the hillside opposite the cave entrance.
• There are many caves in our park that bats can use and many factors (such as weather) that may affect their activity, so be aware that the number of bats emerging may vary throughout the year.

Ranger-led Bat Outflight Programs

Bat outflight programs will return in the summer, typically from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Check out the ranger programs for this summer's schedule!

Details

Duration

1-2 Hours

Bat Cave takes approximately 15-20 minutes to reach from the El Calderon trailhead. To view an outflight, plan on arriving at Bat Cave at least 20 minutes before sunset. Bat outflights may last from 15 minutes to several hours depending on how many bats are present.

Activity

Wildlife Watching

Age(s)

All ages welcome, but please be quiet while near Bat Cave to not scare the bats!

Pets Allowed

Yes

While pets are allowed, they may be best left at home. Barking dogs may scare the bats.

Activity Fee

No

El Malpais National Monument is free.

Location

Bat Cave

Bat Cave is located approximately 3/4 of a mile from the El Calderon Trailhead off of Highway 53 in El Malpais National Monument.

Reservations

No

Season

Summer

Typically, the best time to see bats is late May to mid September, although bats may appear earlier or later in the summer depending on the number of insects to feed on. Ask a ranger for the latest information on bat outflights.
 

Time of Day

Dusk

Bats typically emerge from Bat Cave around sunset. For the best chance of seeing bats, plan to arrive at Bat Cave at least 20 minutes before sunset. Sometimes bats will fly out after the sun sets, so be prepared with reliable flashlights to hike back to the parking area in the dark.

Accessibility Information

Bat Cave is located approximately 3/4 mile from the El Calderon trailhead. The trail is approximately 3ft wide, graveled, and relatively flat with a slight incline.The trail does become rocky while passing Double Sinks and near Bat Cave and Xenolith Cave.