Discover Pennsylvania's bats underground

Laurel Caverns
Located off US Route 40 east of Uniontown, PA. This is by far Pennsylvania's longest commercial cave and perhaps most volumous natural cave. As many as 100,000 bats overwintered here historically. The cave is closed in the middle of winter, so plan a trip as early or as late in the season as possible to maximize sightings.

At least three species can be seen from the regular tour route. Ask the guide to point them out, as they always know where to find them. Big browns should be visable in the entrance tunnels and towards the bottom of the Hall of the Mountain King. Little browns can be seen in the Dining Room. Heat seeking pipistrelles should be seen on occassion throughout the rest of the trip, as the cave warms up after leaving the Dining Room. For tour information see laurelcaverns.com.

Lincoln Caverns
Located along Route 22 west of Huntingdon, PA. Lincoln Caverns was not a historic bat cave but nonetheless some bats have discovered it. Expect a great education orientated tour in two of the prettiest of Pennsylvania's caves. Since Lincoln is a warm cave and must be kept relatively airtight to conserve the rock formations, the site attracts mostly pipestrelles and a few little browns. In addition, several small footed bats are sometimes seen in Whisper Rocks Cave, included in the tour. The cave may be closed in the middle of winter, so plan a trip as early or as late in the season as possible to maximize sightings. For more information see lincolncaverns.com.

Woodward Cave
Located Rt. 45 east of State College, PA. Currently the most bat friendly commercial cave in Pennsylvania, Woodward is the winter home of over 3,000 bats of 5 species. Little browns, big browns, small footed, pipistrelle, and Northern long ears are all well represented here. There may be special fall programs to witness the nightly swarm, so call to inquire. The cave is closed in the middle of winter, so plan a trip as early or as late in the season as possible to maximize sightings. For more information see woodwardcave.com.


Interested in seeing bats in a real cave? These are some of the "bat friendly" commercial caves in Pennsylvania that may permit a seasonal peek at bats underground.		Laurel Caverns Located off US Route 40 east of Uniontown, PA. This is by far Pennsylvania's longest commercial cave and perhaps most volumous natural cave. As many as 100,000 bats overwintered here historically. The cave is closed in the middle of winter, so plan a trip as early or as late in the season as possible to maximize sightings. At least three species can be seen from the regular tour route. Ask the guide to point them out, as they always know where to find them. Big browns should be visable in the entrance tunnels and towards the bottom of the Hall of the Mountain King. Little browns can be seen in the Dining Room. Heat seeking pipistrelles should be seen on occassion throughout the rest of the trip, as the cave warms up after leaving the Dining Room. For tour information see laurelcaverns.com. Lincoln Caverns Located along Route 22 west of Huntingdon, PA. Lincoln Caverns was not a historic bat cave but nonetheless some bats have discovered it. Expect a great education orientated tour in two of the prettiest of Pennsylvania's caves. Since Lincoln is a warm cave and must be kept relatively airtight to conserve the rock formations, the site attracts mostly pipestrelles and a few little browns. In addition, several small footed bats are sometimes seen in Whisper Rocks Cave, included in the tour. The cave may be closed in the middle of winter, so plan a trip as early or as late in the season as possible to maximize sightings. For more information see lincolncaverns.com. Woodward Cave Located Rt. 45 east of State College, PA. Currently the most bat friendly commercial cave in Pennsylvania, Woodward is the winter home of over 3,000 bats of 5 species. Little browns, big browns, small footed, pipistrelle, and Northern long ears are all well represented here. There may be special fall programs to witness the nightly swarm, so call to inquire. The cave is closed in the middle of winter, so plan a trip as early or as late in the season as possible to maximize sightings. For more information see woodwardcave.com.