Bat Emergence Viewing and Cave Tour
7/10/2026 and 7/11/2026 | Rock Bridge Memorial State Park | Columbia, Mo.
Event Description:
Join park staff on either Friday, July 10, or Saturday, July 11, to discover our local bats! This event will begin inside the park office at 7:30 p.m. with a bat PowerPoint presentation. It will then shift outside for the bat emergence viewing at Devil's Icebox Cave, where you get to see a maternity colony of endangered gray bats fly out of the cave search of insects. Finally, you will have the option to join a guided tour of Connor's Cave. The event will end around 9:30 p.m., following the cave tour.
Things to Bring:
All participants should bring at least one flashlight or other light source for the walk back from Devil's Icebox Cave. Those who plan to do the optional tour of Connor's Cave should wear boots or shoes they don't mind getting wet. The cave tour will involve about 300 feet of walking, some of it through water.
Registration and Restrictions:
The entire event is free, but registration is required due to limited space. Children must be at least 9 years of age to attend, and pets are not allowed. To allow as many people as possible to attend, you may register for only one of the two event dates (July 10 or July 11).
How to register:
- Call the park office at 573-449-7402 or email the park naturalist at roxie.campbell@dnr.mo.gov
- Provide the following information when you call or email:
- Your preferred date
- The number of people in your group
- The ages of the people in your group
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park Contact Information:
- Address: 5901 S. Highway 163, Columbia, Mo.
- Phone number: 573-449-7402