ETOWN : TOURING NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA
Alabaster Caverns state park includes a hiking trail and plenty of wildlife to experience .
Photo by BILLY HEFTON
Caverns State Park manager , said . “ The caverns are a main attraction , where we offer tours daily that visitors can go on to see the natural geography and wonders which are unique to a gypsum cavern and even see some of the bats that hibernate there from late October to early April .”
While dark , tight spaces and bats may not sound like an ideal vacation for some , Kelsey says there is no reason for visitors to sweat it .
In addition to the tours being led on a lit , guided pathway , Kelsey says that the approximately 12,000 bats that reside in the caverns — most likely to be seen in the caverns in the day during their hibernation season — are interesting , beneficial creatures that only have spooky cultural connotation .
“ The bats get a bad rap from movies , but one of the highlights of the park is for visitors to have the opportunity to see that they really are beneficial and even major contributors to a healthy environment ,” Kelsey said . “ They are a big contributor to agriculture , since they eat a majority of insects that would otherwise eat the crops and ultimately affect our food supply . Bats also are major pollinators , which most people don ’ t know , but plays a big role in generating growth in our ecosystem from the plants to the wildlife .”
For those who may be able to book only a summer visit , Kelsey said the bats still can be seen occasionally during the day or toward evening or morning , often individually or in small groups rather than masses .
While on a visit touring the caverns — and maybe catching glimpses of the bats along the way — Kelsey says that visitors are welcome to a number of other activities the park offers year round .
“
The park is one of the most unique in Oklahoma .”
Derek Kelsey , alabaster caverns State Park manager
28