Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Address:	Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77002, USA
Phone:	+1 713-752-0314
Site:	houstontx.gov
Rating:	4.6
Working:	Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours Open 24 hours

Location

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Photos 100

Reviews 20

Vincent Melgarejo

My 4 year old loved it. We stayed well past dark watching the bats swarm underneath the bridge. The bats leaving the bridge starts about 5 or 10 minutes after official sunset, and the stream of bats fly east toward downtown above the bayou. The best vantage points: on the sloping bank closer to the bridge, on the bike path (watch out for speeding cyclists), or in the bridge itself (just be mindful that the sidewalk is narrow and the drivers on Waugh drive fast). Dont stand on the little observation platform that was built; it has great information, but not very good for actually seeing the bats. The spectacle is not as awe-inspiring as the Austin bat colony with its millions of bats and wider waterway, but I definitely recommend seeing this impressive colony.

Christine Nicole Herrera

Its a bird! Its a plane! NO, its BATS, BATS AND MORE BATS! But dont worry they dont come out at night for the same reason vampires do, they are just coming out for the nightly feeding of millions of bugs. This is truly one of the most amazing events to see in Houston. It happens everyday at sunset and all you have to do is google sunset Houston to find out when to expect to see them. Thousands if not millions of bats take to the sky every night and you can watch them first hand flying out of their home under the Waugh Bridge. Youll recognize youre at the right spot by the smell. If they dont come out right on time just be a little patient. Theyre hungry and will be out soon.

Domenica Fusco

A-MAZ-ING!!!!! Never thought I would love bats so much!!!! This is the coolest place to come to!!! Come just before dusk and stay as long as you want.... When they first start flying out, a lot land on the ground and you can pick them up (even tough you shouldnt!!!) One landed right one me, and climbed up my body and I let him crawl onto my hand and he flew off, it was so awesome!!!! More fun than a zoo! LOL

Fatima Qamar

Very cool experience everyone in Houston should have at least once in their life. If youre watching from the South side of the Bayou, the incline is a bit steep so be careful not to fall or twist your ankle as you walk down to the trail below the road. The smell is rather overwhelming the closer you get to the underside of the bridge, but thats to be expected wherever millions of bats home every day.

Gregory Montelaro

This is one of the coolest little gathering spots in Houston - and it happens every day at sunset. The Waugh bridge has the largest colony of Mexican Fruit Bats in North America living under it. Every evening at sunset, millions of bats fly out to feed in one of greatest shows in nature. Grab a snack or a beer and join the hundred or so onlookers that gather here every evening.

Kelly Porter

Very disappointed. First of all dont forget that since they live there they also potty there. Strong urine smell. It was almost dark when they emerged so all of the traffic on the bridge had there headlights on and the only reason that I saw them was because there eyes reflected when I took pictures. Ill just say that the dandelion fountain was the highlight of the outing.

Trish Massey

Attended the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony on Friday, Oct 16 and parked at Spotts Park, where recommended by the website. My car, along with the vehicle next to me was vandalized (windows were smashed out) and personal items stolen such as purses, backpacks etc. I dont want to discourage anyone from visiting the bat exhibit because it was amazing. Just DONT park there.

Jenny Lynes

Biggest letdown ever. Beware, especially if you have kids, that you might not see anything at all. We waited an hour and twenty minutes on a little strip of grass and finally ended up leaving when we realized it was so dark we wouldnt be able to see anything anyway. Probably is really cool if they actually come out but its a risk you run.

Matt Wine

Im from Houston and only recently made it to this place. Supposedly this is a year round colony due to our temperate weather. The bats start emerging about an hour before dusk and then start streaming out by the hundreds down the Bayou right at dusk. Theres a nice platform to watch from as well. Highly recommended.

Che Smith

My daughters and I stopped to watch the bats recently on a bike ride around the bayou. The crowd wasnt too crazy and we got a great view. I appreciate that the city has put effort into making this an attraction. My only wish is for better seating while waiting for the bats to show. (Be prepared - its stinky!)

Andrew DeWolfe

Amazing experience. Came here my first night in Houston. Got there just before sunset and saw tons of bats fly out under the bridge. I saw more here than at Carlsbad Caverns. Parking is tough do get there early. About 50 other people there doing the same thing. Its quick, the whole thing lasts 15 minutes.

Debi Zellner

This was exciting and fun...only drawback was the hideous smell!!! Sill was really cool to watch them flood out from under the bridge. Not good lighting so hard to see them once the sun is all the way down. suggestion is to put up some sort of lighting, perhaps green or something to get a better view.

Roy Cormier

For many, little is known about bats. However, Google dusk times and come early to watch the bats take flight. And there are charts with tons of info to better understand bats in general. The smell of bats are not for everyone, but its not as bad as one would think. Happy looking to the sky....

Khalid Khan

Having lived in houston for almost 20 years I always took my out of town guests to Austin to show the bat colony under the bridge over there. Never knew that we have a huge colony right here in Houston. Awesome and wish someone would rent night vision goggles to see in the dark.

jonathan zimmerman

It is a bridge that is surrounded by wilderness, as much as possible, and a river. The bats are hit and miss. They did not fly out the night we went. The bats are always hanging under bridge.The smell of bat excrement is overwhelming if you are close to the bridge area.

Ayana Annie

Interesting piece of nature at Buffalo Bayou. Make sure to get there 20-30 minutes before sunset. Youll see a vortex of bats fly out all at once from under the Waugh Bridge. Its a pretty impressive sight. Keep an eye out for hawks and other birds that prey on the bats.

Bruno Leonardo Lima

Impressionante quando chega o pôr do sol. milhares de morcegos saem debaixo da ponte e cortam o céu atrás de comida.

Dominion Rognstad

One of Houstons best free activities to bring guests and travelers to. Good to arrive about 20-30 mins before sunset. You can view from the bank and under the bridge but if you want to take video, I would suggest setting up on the bridge

Jennifer Barbee

Very cool experience! I had seen the bats in Austin but I didnt know Houston had a huge bat colony as well! We got to see a dramatic moment when a bird swooped down and caught a bat in mid-air. Good free family entertainment!

Monica R

Come right at sunset and watch the bats take off. It can get crowded in the evening, so come early to pick a spot on the hill to wait for the bats to take off. Parking is very limited and sometimes difficult to find a spot.