Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony
9.1Locals Score / 10#1 of 6 Attractions in Austin
free
Known foriconicwildlifefreeunique
The Congress Avenue Bridge is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America — 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at dusk from March through October in a swirling, half-hour spectacle. Gather on the bridge, the adjacent Barton Creek Greenbelt banks, or a kayak on the river below. It's completely free and utterly unlike anything else in any American city. Peak emergence is around sunset; check Austin Bat Refuge for timing.
Key facts
| Hours | Hours not verified |
|---|---|
| Price | free |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | — |
| Time needed | — |
| Best time to go | — |
| Last verified | July 16, 2026 |
Locals Score
9.1/10- Value10.0
- Iconic9.5
- Excellence9.0
- Crowd level8.0
- Authenticity9.0
- Accessibility9.0
Nearby in Ask Austin
- Arlo GreyRestaurant0.15 km · 2 min walk
- Mexic-Arte MuseumMuseum0.61 km · 8 min walk
- Auditorium Shores / Butler ParkPark0.68 km · 8 min walk
- Rainey Street Historic District — Banger's Sausage House & Beer GardenBar0.71 km · 9 min walk
- Texas State CapitolAttraction1.51 km · 19 min walk
Where to stay near Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Colony
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