Old Tunnel State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife

Lower Viewing Thursday-Sunday ($5/person), Upper viewing everyday ($2/person). Park is open for FREE sunrise-5pm everyday! Old Tunnel State Park features an abandoned railroad tunnel that was built in 1913. The tunnel is now home to a colony of approximately 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats. These bats migrate up from Mexico and are present in the tunnel from May through October each year. Visitors can come out and view the bat emergence from the upper viewing area any night of the week during bat season for $2 per person fee (regardless of age.) The lower viewing area is only open on Thursday through Sunday evenings for a $5 per person fee, regardless of age, which also includes a formal interpretive program. Due to the bats sensitivity to noise, children age 3 and under are not allowed at the lower viewing area. State Parks and Bluebonnet passes are not accepted for this activity tour fee. Permits for both bat viewing areas can only be purchased online through the reservation system. No permits will be sold at the park. For the most up to date emergence time information please check our FB posts or Twitter Feed. Permits are available 60 days in advance. Visitors may access the short 1/2 mile nature trail every day from sunrise until 5 p.m. No permit or entrance fee required to visit the park between sunrise and 5 pm. (If you find the trail closed sign up and/or gate closed/latched during these hours, please feel free to open the gate and go down the trail.) Rules: No pets, No Camping, No alcoholic beverages, No smoking on trails or in viewing areas. No refunds or rain checks if you do not see bats or if the park closes due to weather related issues.