As of today, in season, building toward peak (~August 1). Earth Exhibit tracks the live conditions and flags it the moment it is on.
Each evening from spring through fall, large colonies of free-tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) emerge from the Natural Entrance of Carlsbad Cavern to forage.
The park-run Bat Flight Program provides a ranger talk at an outdoor amphitheater prior to the evening emergence, producing one of the largest and most reliable bat-viewing spectacles in North America.
Where to see it
A taste of where to see it. The full map, exact coordinates and the best timing for each spot live in the app.
| Viewing spots |
|---|
| Bat Flight Amphitheater (Natural Entrance) |
| Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center (parking & ticketing) |
| + 1 more spot, with exact coordinates and timing, in the app → |
This is the short version
This page shows a taste. The app has the full list of where to see this, the exact timing, and live conditions for 1,000+ natural phenomena worldwide, so you know the moment one is genuinely worth the trip.