TX State ParksAn independent field guide

Old Tunnel State Park

State park in Kendall County, in the Hill Country region. Established 1991. 17 acres by TPWD boundary data.

The tunnel in Old Tunnel State Park in Kendall County, Texas, United States. Formerly a railroad tunnel for the Fredericksburg and Northern Railway, the tunnel
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Old Tunnel is a small free park near Fredericksburg where up to 3 million Mexican free-tailed bats and 3,000 cave myotis bats roost in an old railroad tunnel from May through October. Watching them come out at dusk takes an advance ticket for everyone, kids included, and tickets aren't sold on site. There are no pets, no camping and no drinking water.

Things to do

Bat emergence

The park opens after 5 p.m. for bat viewing and programs from May 1 through Oct. 31. Buy tickets up to 60 days ahead online or by phone. Cell service is limited, so screenshot your ticket.

Nature trail

The short nature trail (under half a mile) is open sunrise to 5 p.m. year-round. Look into the tunnel and read about bat lore and railroad history.

Visiting with dogs

Pets aren't allowed at Old Tunnel.

State park rules also keep pets out of buildings and swimming areas. TPWD park rules.

Swimming

TPWD doesn't list swimming for this park.

Getting there

10619 Old San Antonio Road
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
(866) 978-2287

Open in OpenStreetMap (30.1011, -98.8207)

From the nearest cities in this guide
FromApprox. driveStraight line
San Antonio1 hr 16 min48 mi
Austin1 hr 50 min65 mi
Waco3 hr 40 min140 mi
Corpus Christi4 hr 21 min190 mi
Houston4 hr 42 min207 mi
The Woodlands4 hr 51 min198 mi
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Nearby parks

  1. Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site15 miles away. Free entry. Swimming allowed.
  2. Blanco State Park24 miles away. $5 per adult, kids 12 and under free. Swimming allowed.
  3. Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area25 miles away.
  4. Guadalupe River State Park26 miles away. $7 per adult, kids 12 and under free. Swimming allowed.
  5. Honey Creek State Natural Area26 miles away. $2 per adult, kids 12 and under free.

Straight-line distance. See every park in the Hill Country.

Questions people ask

Do you need tickets for the bats at Old Tunnel?

Yes. Everyone, including children, needs a ticket to be in the park after 5 p.m. during bat season. Tickets are sold in advance only.

When can you see the bats at Old Tunnel?

May through October, when they emerge at dusk.

Can I bring my dog to Old Tunnel?

No. Pets aren't allowed.

Photo credits

Sources

Last checked October 14, 2026. Fees, hours and rules change; the official TPWD page for Old Tunnel has current alerts and closures.

  1. TPWD: Old Tunnel State Park, retrieved October 14, 2026
  2. TPWD state parks map (amenities, contact), retrieved October 14, 2026
  3. TPWD GIS: Texas State Parks Public Areas, retrieved October 14, 2026
  4. TPWD: Bortle ratings by region, retrieved October 14, 2026
  5. TPWD: Old Tunnel State Park history, retrieved October 14, 2026
  6. TPWD: state park rules (pets, swimming), retrieved October 14, 2026
  7. TPWD GIS: Texas State Parks Boundaries (area computed from boundary), retrieved October 14, 2026
  8. Wikipedia: List of Texas state parks, retrieved October 14, 2026
  9. OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap data (approximate drive times), retrieved October 14, 2026
  10. Wikimedia Commons (photos), retrieved October 14, 2026