Bat Cave Area Rock Climbing

Driving to the Bat Cave area requires a high clearance vehicle to get within a reasonable hiking distance. From the interstate exit, the first 3.5 miles is on pavement and good dirt roads. The final 2 miles is very rocky but passable with "Subaru/Rav4" SUV clearance. The final 1/2 mile is the worst and there is a good parking/camping option at this "T" intersection.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
NOTE: Don't follow Google Maps to get to the Bat Cave. Use the directions/distances below:

• Download GPX file for this driving approach
• Exit Interstate 25 using Exit 59 (Arrey Derry/ Caballo Percha State Parks).
• If coming from the north on I-25, turn right at the end of the exit onto NM Highway 187 and drive for 2.7 mi.
• if coming from the south on I-25, turn left at the end of the exit onto NM Highway 187 and drive roughly 2.7 mi.
• Take a left onto W. Wagoneer Rd. and drive for 1.1 mi.
• Take a left onto Sugar Sand/Tumbleweed Rd. for 0.7 mi.
• Veer right onto dirt for 0.2 mi.
• Take a left at "T", drive under highway in single lane tunnel for 2.6 miles to fork at the dam.
• From the dam, continue for about 3.5 miles to the rough "4x4" road. Turn right onto this rocky track and go about .7 miles to a rutted hill--this section requires "Subaru" clearance but isn't too bad.
• Bear left on the fork at .9 miles, continue to the final fork at 1.5 miles and go right. This is a good "low clearance" camp option. Continue past a few ruts to the final hill (another parking option) and go up this to the final "T" at 1.9 miles. This is the best parking spot instead of the end of the road since several cars can park here. Walk or drive east up to the high camp. The road ends just beyond the high camp.

CAMPING/PARKING
There are two good parking/camping areas where the hiking trail starts.

• For the first (lower) one, take the left and continue to the end.
• For the second (higher) one, continue .25 mi to the end. There are two flat spots and several areas for a rough campsite.

HIKING APPROACH
Continue up the old mining road from the campsites through a rough gully and keep your eye out for cairn/sign to left that leave the road on a good trail. Download GPX file for hiking approach.