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Gainesville, Florida: World's Largest Bat House

Largest occupied bat houses in North America. 400,000 bats! They swarm starting a half-hour before sunset. Note warning sign: "Beware of Falling Urine and Guano as Bats Fly Overhead." Wear old clothes and a hat.

Address:
2664 Museum Dr, Gainesville, FL
Directions:
On the University of Florida campus. I-75 exit 384. Drive east one mile on SW Archer Rd. Turn left onto Hwy 121/SW 34th St. Drive one mile. Turn right onto Radio Rd. Drive a half-mile. Turn left onto Museum Rd. You'll quickly see a small parking lot on the left. Park there. You'll see the bat house in the adjacent field, or you can follow the sidewalk along Museum Rd for a closer look.
Hours:
Arrive a half-hour before sunset. Bats may not swarm if it's rainy or cold. Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Admission:
Free
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
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Visitor Tips and News About World's Largest Bat House

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

World's Largest Bat House

There are only two bat houses now. The third has collapsed.

[Tania, 10/04/2022]

Three bat houses.

World's Largest Bat House

There are three bat houses now.

[Jeff Foushee, 10/15/2017]

Perhaps extra accommodations have been added for bats inconvenienced by the toppling of Perky's Bat Tower in 2017's Hurricane Irma.

Gainesville Bat House

Showed up a half hour before sunset. Rain had stopped an hour or so earlier. Waited and waited but didn't see one bat. Guess they got room service.

[Scotingr, 06/18/2017]

Reports we've received suggest that the bats don't swarm until after the sun has set, but before it gets too dark to see.

World's Largest Bat House.

World's Largest Bat House

The bats came out about 10 min after sunset.

[Mike P, 04/04/2017]

Bat houses.

World's Largest Bat House

Brazilian free-tailed bats at dusk - totally worth stopping for!

[Heather, 08/23/2016]

Nearby Offbeat Places

Bull Gator StatueBull Gator Statue, Gainesville, FL - < 1 mi.
Gatorade BirthplaceGatorade Birthplace, Gainesville, FL - < 1 mi.
The Solar WalkThe Solar Walk, Gainesville, FL - 1 mi.
In the region:
Big Daddy Don Garlits Museum Of Drag Racing, Ocala, FL - 45 mi.

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