Sunset Picnic at the Phoenix Bat Cave

For a perfect twist on a romantic, sunset date, plan a picnic at the Phoenix bat cave.   Wait!  A bat cave??

Yes – From May to October, Phoenix is home to a large nursing colony of Mexican free-tailed bats.  Thousands of bats come here to raise their young.  They flitter out each  evening, sometimes one by one, and sometimes in groups of 30 or 40.   And what better way to spend an evening than picnicking with your sweetheart and watching these  creatures of the night begin their evening hunt?  The bats leave the cave about 20 minutes after sunset.  Look up the sunset time and plan to arrive shortly before.

The bat cave is part of the flood diversion ditch near the intersection of Camelback Road and 40th Street.  You will have a short walk along the canal to get to the bat cave.  When you get to Camelback and 40th Street, park in the gas station, or as we did, in a visitor space of the empty office buildings off 40th street.

Stroll westward down the canal for about 1/4 of a mile.   Keep an eye out toward the right- the bat cave is west of the soccer field.  There is a large sign, so you will know you are in the right place. As the twilight darkens, enjoy your meal while you watch and listen for these furry, darting creatures.

This is the walk along the canal.

Here are the signs.  You will know you are in the right place.