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Come see
the bats |
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The
Devil's Sinkhole Society |
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Evening Tours To See the
Bats Leave the Sinkhole |
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When
it became obvious that the Texas Parks and Wildlife was interested in having
increased controlled public access to the Sinkhole, a private support group
was formed to orchestrate the creation of guided tours. This group named itself the Devil’s
Sinkhole Society. The tours begin at
the Rocksprings Visitor Center that is only eight miles from the
Sinkhole. The Society and the
Rocksprings Visitor Center is funded by tour income, the sale of merchandise,
fundraisers, donations, grants and membership dues. There is a partnership with Texas Parks and
Wildlife that makes available the expertise of that Department and is also a
source of material and financial support.
Bat Conservation International has been very supportive and will
continue to be involved, especially with educational activities. The Edwards County Road Department helped
establish an access road to the Sinkhole.
Later TxDOT paved this
road. There
are nearly 75 members and many volunteers.
All workers at the Visitor Center, the tour guides and tour bus
drivers are volunteers. The Society
has no salaried employees. |
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Devil’s
Sinkhole State Natural Area lies hidden away in the western edge of the Texas
Hill Country. It contains over 1,800
acres of rugged land and home to the sinister-looking Devil’s Sinkhole, its
main attraction. It is the largest
single-chambered cavern in the state of Texas and the third deepest,
measuring over 361 feet deep. This
Nationally Registered Natural Landmark is home for bats that migrate to Texas
every summer. Visitors are shuttled to
the site and are dared to peer into the depths of Devil’s Sinkhole and view
millions of bats pour out like a tornado at dusk. There is currently no camping allowed, but
among the tours offered is: Evening Bat Flight Tours: regularly scheduled interpretive
tours available May to mid-October, Wednesday—Sunday. Space is limited. Call ahead for reservations. Visitors will be shuttled to the site. Evening Bat Tours leave about 45 minutes
before the bats are expected to emerge and then return to the Visitor’s
Center about two hours later. Evening Tour Fees : Adults— $12.oo Child 4 to 11—$6.oo Over 65—$10.oo
Children under 4—Free |
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Facilities: Minimal development was completed
in September 1996 including picnic sites, a chemical toilet, and some trail
development. A new wheelchair accessible viewing platform is now available
and allows visitors to look into the Sinkhole. Flora/Fauna: Since the depth of the cave reaches
below the water table, there are freshwater lakes around its perimeter. These
lakes support two unique organisms; one, an endemic amphipod, and the other,
a rare aquatic isopod. Both these organisms are crustaceans. Also, the walls
of the vertical shaft of the cave support a Mexican fern species found in few
other locations in the United States. |
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Lower 3
Photos by Ben Banahan |
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Upper photo
by Leo and
Beth |
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Reservations
for tours can be made in person, by calling 830-683-2287 (830.683.BATS), or
e-mailing
tours@devilssinkhole.org. |
