If you typically visit the zoo to see bats in Arizona, there’s a much more spectacular (not to mention free!) solution. Hiding beneath a Phoenix flood control tunnel is a massive colony of over 5,000 Mexican free-tailed bats who make a grand emergence nightly.
Very few people are aware that Arizona is home to 28 bat species, and even fewer know a population of about 5,000 lives under a flood control tunnel in Phoenix.
Google/Casey Smith Although their emergence from beneath the bridge is usually confined to summertime, unseasonably warm temperatures have extended the spectacle a tad longer this year.
During the day, this is the last place one would assume houses a massive bat colony.
Google/Jeremy Peraza A quick look inside, however, reveals thousands of them sleeping soundly to re-energize for a grand entrance once night falls.
Most people head out just before sunset to catch a glimpse of the picturesque scene.
Google/Eric Larkey Because of this, you’ll want to arrive early to snag a front row seat to all the action.
You’ll first hear the rhythmic flutter of wings, starting slow but quickly building into a powerful cacophony.
YouTube/Tom Polakis Not long afterwards, the creatures will make themselves known and blanket the sky in darkness.
Here is a helpful illustration showing how exactly you can access the tunnel.
Google/Jon Harris Feel free to save, print, or simply pull it up on your phone prior to making the trip.
Don’t wait too long - the swarm will start tapering off any day now. Going a full year without seeing such an incredible phenomenon would be almost criminal.
YouTube/Tom Polakis
Address: 3698-3694 East Colter Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018.
Google Maps
Check out this YouTube video to watch the bats in action:
Google/Casey Smith
Although their emergence from beneath the bridge is usually confined to summertime, unseasonably warm temperatures have extended the spectacle a tad longer this year.
Google/Jeremy Peraza
A quick look inside, however, reveals thousands of them sleeping soundly to re-energize for a grand entrance once night falls.
Google/Eric Larkey
Because of this, you’ll want to arrive early to snag a front row seat to all the action.
YouTube/Tom Polakis
Not long afterwards, the creatures will make themselves known and blanket the sky in darkness.
Google/Jon Harris
Feel free to save, print, or simply pull it up on your phone prior to making the trip.
Google Maps
Have you ever been to the Phoenix Bat Cave? If so, let us know your thoughts about the spectacle! Check out our previous article for more underground caverns to explore: Going Into These 7 Caves In Arizona Is Like Entering Another World.
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Address: 3698-3694 E Colter St, Phoenix, AZ 85018, USA
