Millie Mine Bat Cave


Useful Information

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Classification: MineIron Mine
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Address: Millie Mine Bat Cave, Mine Shaft, Park Ave. off East A St, Iron Mountain, MI 49801, Tel: +1-906-774-8530.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

Millie Mine is an abandoned iron mine shaft. But there is no mining tour as usual, but a rather special attraction: the abandoned mine is home to colonies of bats, up to one million animals, which hibernate here every year. The entrance of the mine shaft is closed by a special steel grate which prevent people from falling into the shaft. But the steel bars allow bats to come and go as they please. And naturally they do this twice a year, in April and May, when they leave the mine after hibernating and in September and October, when they return for their next long sleep.

As this place is now one of the largest hibernating and breeding bat colonies in North America, it is protected and human visitors are only tolerated as long as they do not disturb the bats. A self-guided interpretive program at the site informs visitors on the benefits of bats. It is an official Michigan Wildlife Viewing Area.