Choose Your View
There are three common spots for viewing the emergence:
- On top of the bridge
- Under the bridge on the north shoreline
- Under the bridge on the south shoreline
The south shoreline (farthest from downtown) is our favorite spot to view the bats.
The timing of the emergence also matters when choosing the proper viewing location.
- Before dark (less than 12 minutes after sunset) – The view from the top of the bridge, between the first and second light poles, allows you to see them fly down river.
- Close to dark (more than 12 minutes after sunset) – The best viewing is from below the bridge at the south side bat viewing area. If you stand on top of the bridge or on the north side trail bridge, you may miss the bats since you’ll be looking at dark bats against dark water and/or a dark treeline.
- After dark – You’ll see ten times more bats if you stand on the south bank of the river under the shadow of the bridge as the bats are lit up by streetlights while the bridge blocks the light from reducing your night vision.
Bats generally fly at or after dark in:
- Early May through mid-July
- Late September through October