Watch 500,000 Bats Take Flight in Texas This Summer

One of the crown jewels of the Texas Panhandle is Caprock Canyons State Park. It is home to the state's official bison herd, abundant wildlife, incredible views, and plenty to explore.

One thing you might not know about Caprock Canyons is that it is also home to bats. An incredible number of bats hang out, pun not intended, in the park, and you have a chance to get up close and personal with them.

The bats of Caprock Canyons spend their time in Clarity Tunnel. Clarity Tunnel is an abandoned railway tunnel that was originally built in the late 1920s. It sits on the trailway in Caprock Canyons and is a popular destination for hikers.

Discover the Clarity Tunnel Bat Colony

From April to mid-October, around 500,000 Mexican free-tailed bats find themselves in the Clarity Tunnel. During the summer, you can actually see these bats take flight from the tunnel.

Caprock Canyons State Park is hosting Clarity Tunnel Bat Tours every Friday evening this month through the month of August. The tours begin two hours before sunset, and you'll need to meet at Monks Crossing.

Join a Guided Bat Tour This Summer

When you go on the tour, you'll join a ranger on the trailway. They will take you to the Clarity Tunnel so you can watch the 500,000 bats take flight in the summer evening sky.

It isn't that far of a drive from Amarillo, which gives you some incredible views on the way to the park. This would be a fantastic way to spend a Friday night in the Texas panhandle.

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You can get more information on Caprock Canyons State Park's social media, including the number to call to make reservations. If you have a chance to go, it’s worth checking out.