![]() ![]() All children who participate will receive a prize.įor more information on the viewing areas and visiting the park call 86 or visit state-parks/old-tunnel. There will be a “storybook trail” with costumed characters information on Bats of Old Tunnel, crafts and more. There will be flint knapping and rope making demonstrations. The celebration is free and will feature booths on railroad history, Hill Country Parks, including booths with games and activities. On Saturday, August 17, the park will hold its 100th anniversary from 1 – 5:30 p.m. You can use the Upper Viewing Area, Lower Viewing Area Tour, or making Special Group Tour reservations. There are a few ways to enjoy the bat emergence. The park has educational presentations held on a first come first served basis. May through October is the prime time to take in a bat show. While Old Tunnel Park is open year round from sunrise to sunset certain trails do close at 5 p.m. Raccoons are also a predator of the bat, feeding on the fallen mammals. ![]() These beneficial creatures can travel up to 60 miles in one direction.Īside from eating their weight in a wide variety of bugs: everything from moths, dragonflies, wasps, ants, cotton bollworm, grubs, cutworms and other insects harmful to agriculture, they also are known for pollinating sugar cane.Īs you watch the bats emerge, you may notice Redtailed hawks in flight on the look-out for a bat to feed on. As they take flight, spiraling from the tunnel, they can reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour, and heights up to 10,000 feet. This is not only because of their habitats being disturbed, but also purposeful attempts to eradicate some colonies, to say nothing of accidental pesticide poisoning.Īs evening sets in at the abandoned rail tunnel the bats start their day. While these bats can be found most everywhere in the Western Hemisphere there is concern because of declining numbers in some states. They are about 3.5 inches in length with their tail making up half of that. The Mexican free-tail bat is the State Bat of Texas and Oklahoma. The females give birth to only one baby each year. Females reach sexual maturity at 9 months, males two years. The Mexican free-tail bat can live up to 11 years. The abandoned tunnel, for which the park is named, is home to approximately 3 million Mexican free-tail bats, also called Brazilian freetailed bats and 3,000 Cave myotis (vesper bats). Wildlife includes not only a variety of birds, but white-tailed deer, turkey, mourning dove, fox squirrel, rock squirrel, raccoon and armadillo. Oak, cedar, elm, ash, juniper, greenbrier and hackberry are just a few of the trees found at the park. ![]() The park is the smallest state park, being just over 16 acres, but it isn’t lacking on vegetation and wildlife opportunities. The Old Tunnel is an abandoned rail road tunnel that was built in 1913. Looking for something different to do before the summer winds down completely? Why not take a day-trip to Old Tunnel State Park near Fredericksburg. On the loop trail looking back at one of the bridges spanning the park.The abandoned railroad tunnel at Old Tunnel State Park is home to over 3 million Mexican free-tail bats. Please remember to take only pictures and leave only foot prints. If you are ever in the area be sure to take a little time and stop by this pretty park. We hiked it fairly early and were alone except one other family but later in the day it is a popular park. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. There is one main hiking trail that goes through this small park with a couple of little loops and it is just about a mile long. Restrooms and picnic tables are located in this area. Upper viewing platform overlooking the park. The park has a donation box also if you are interested in donating. The only thing that costs is going down to the lower viewing area to watch the bats in the evening, it costs $5 per person. This park is free to get into and there is plenty of parking. The old train tunnel the park is named for and the home of the local bat colony. ![]()
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