Best Time to See Bats in Texas

April, August and July is the best time to see bats in Texas. Based on 5,527 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when bats are most active across the year in Texas.

T

By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 2, 2026.

Mexican Free-tailed Bat photographed in Texas

Mexican Free-tailed Bat · Cheyenne Mack CC BY

Canyon Bat photographed in Texas

Canyon Bat · Public domain CC0

Northern Hoary Bat photographed in Texas

Northern Hoary Bat · Adam Cohen CC BY

Photos by iNaturalist observers, reused under the licence each observer chose.
Best months: April, August, July

5,527 verified observations of bats in Texas, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.

When bats are recorded in Texas

Peak month

April

885 records (16% of the year)

Quietest month

January

203 records

MonthObservationsShare
January2033.7%
February3846.9%
March5059.1%
Aprilpeak88516%
May5119.2%
June5149.3%
Julypeak5359.7%
Augustpeak55710.1%
September5039.1%
October4798.7%
November2484.5%
December2033.7%

Bats you are most likely to see

SpeciesVerified observations
Mexican Free-tailed Bat2,204
Tri-coloured Bat545
Evening Bat359
Eastern Red Bat301
Pallid Bat195
Big Brown Bat176
Northern Hoary Bat160
Cave Myotis113

Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo

Typical weather in Texas

Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when bats are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for bats sit around 56 to 96 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.

MonthAvg highAvg lowRain
Jan60°F39°F0.9"
Feb60°F38°F1"
Mar71°F49°F1.7"
Aprbest time78°F56°F1.6"
May85°F64°F5.1"
Jun93°F72°F1.7"
Julbest time96°F75°F0.9"
Augbest time96°F75°F1.2"
Sep89°F69°F1.7"
Oct80°F58°F2"
Nov67°F48°F1.1"
Dec64°F44°F1.2"

Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Texas. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.

More on bats in Texas:

Sightings of bats in Texas peak in April, when 885 of the year's 5,527 verified observations are logged — about 16% of the annual total. Activity stays high through April, August and July.

The quietest stretch is January, December and November, when bats are hardest to find — January sees just 203 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.

The bats you are most likely to encounter in Texas are Mexican Free-tailed Bat, Tri-coloured Bat and Evening Bat — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.

Where to go

Best places to see bats in Texas

  • Amistad National Recreation AreaNational Recreation Area
  • Big Bend National ParkNational Park
  • Big Thicket National PreserveNational Preserve
  • Chamizal National MemorialNational Memorial
  • Fort Davis National Historic SiteNational Historic Site
  • Guadalupe Mountains National ParkNational Park

Gear to see them

Frequently asked questions

What is the best month to see bats in Texas?+

April is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through April, August and July, based on 5,527 verified iNaturalist observations.

When are bats hardest to see in Texas?+

January is the quietest month for bats in Texas, with only 203 verified records.

Are bats active year-round in Texas?+

Bats are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Texas, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in April.