Here's why:

Characteristics of four Texas regions -- Post Oak Savannah, Blackland Prairie, East Texas Piney Woods, and Central Texas Plateau -- converge to create an unusual blend of natural resources at at the park. Located just 13 miles east of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, McKinney Roughs's 1,100 acres include rolling box canyons, wildflower meadows, lazy river bends and a diverse biological population.

Wildlife exhibits
An exhibit hall features live creatures native to the area, including snakes, turtles, salamanders, toads and frogs. A 1,300-gallon aquarium is filled with species of fish found in the Colorado River. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to get close to some of the area's indigenous species.

The park's natural science center offers quality science-based educational programs led by trained educators and professional staff.

Teachers, students, home schoolers, scout troops and youth groups can schedule field trips and visits to learn about the role of the Colorado River in sustaining the area's unique plant and animal life.

Program topics include animals and insects, plants and minerals, water quality, and interpretative hikes and orienteering.

Educational programs meet the standards of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and reinforce the content and skills necessary in mastering the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test given to students in third through eleventh grade.

Most outdoor programs can be scheduled ahead to suit the needs of your class, youth group or organization. To inquire about these programs, call 1-800-776-5272, Ext. 8021, or send an e-mail to outdoorprograms@lcra.org.

• Academy in the Roughs (multi-day, youth programs)
• Natural science programs (one-day, youth programs)
• River programs (one-day, adult or youth programs)
• Challenge course (one- or multi-day, adults or youth programs)