Waugh Drive Bat Colony

I followed previous reviewers advice and parked at Whole Foods and walked. It was good advise, as there's no other parking as close, as far as I could tell. There's a sidewalk, but it isn't smooth, so if you're using a wheelchair you'll have trouble. It was really cool to see the bats, and I think the best view was from the bridge itself because you can see them in the distance as well as exiting from under the bridge.

Was hot when we went so bring lots of water and bug spray, you sit on the grass or stand on the bridge to watch the bats the only thing I was hesitant about was the parking. We arrived super early hoping to get a parking spot but no luck we had to end up parking waaaaaay far away and walk. I think if I end up going again I would map out a parking location before I head to the area because once you get there traffic is so fast you don't have time to look or search. It was very quick and only lasted about half an hour then they are gone. But it is a good experience and something to do that is free besides parking

This was an awesome experience I have been twice and it amazes me at how many bats exit that bridge. I love the facts they have up closer to the street. I saw a boat tour there to watch which seems like it would be an amazing view.

Amazing sight that's completely free in Houston as long as you get there at the right time. Parking can be hard to find, but if you're okay with walking through the park, there are larger lots around it. Otherwise, park early or across the street. They started coming out right around 7:55pm.

Watching thousands of bats flying together was the best experience I’ve ever had. My full video is on Youtube must watch it.

Very limited parking. But there's a nice panel display talking about the Bats. It's well lit. No bathroom/trash/water immediately in the area. You can view the flight from the platform or grassy knoll, even on top of the bridge. There's a walking path that take you down to see underneath. There is a smell.

Went to visit the Waugh Drive Bat Colony few days back. We reached there 1 hour before the sunset. There was no street parking adjacent to the bat colony so we parked at the visitor parking of the parking lot located in the middle of America Tower and Whole Foods on the Waugh Drive and walked down the Bat colony. There are 4 places from where you can witness to bat colony. 1. From over the bridge, 2. From the viewing platform at the southeast corner of the bayou bank, next to the bridge (along Allen Parkway) and 3. From the northeast bank of the bayou, near the bridge(near Memorial Drive). 4. Go for the Bat Colony boat tour. The first 3 options are free of cost. For boat tour I guess it is $30 per person. At first we went to the viewing platform. That place has a very weird smell, maybe from bat poops. During sunset thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats comes out from under the bridge and fly around for 15-20 minutes or so. Our view was obstructed by the trees so we decided to see the bat flying from the bridge. To my opinion the bridge view is far better. So before visiting the bat colony make sure it is a warm day and there is no raining. If you are in Houston and visiting you should definitely go for this place.

We love to take our out of town visitors here- it’s a must see for locals. Grab a blanket and sit on the hill by the bridge bike path about 20 minutes before sunset and wait for the action. Texas’ second largest colony of Mexican Freetail bats will descend from the bridge to feed along the bayou. Pretty epic to see 100s of thousands bats swirling above. An opportunistic hawk or two know the drill and will wait overhead too. Takes about 10-15 minutes of action before it’s too dark to see. We recommend parking at the Whole Foods and making the short walk, or of course- stroll up along the bayou.