Monthly Programs
Recreation Programs
Education Programs
Community Program Registration Policy
Monthly
Walk on the Wild Side! No registration Required.
» Second Saturday in April, June
» 10 a.m.-noon, $4/adult, children 12 and under are free, adults and children ages 8 and up
Enjoy an interpretive hike as a park naturalist brings together a unique blend of human and natural history to tell the story of the Colorado River. Discover how the river influences animal, plant and human life along its banks. After your hike, visit McKinney Roughs’ Visitor’s Center gift shop with live native Texas animals and interactive exhibits. Bring a picnic lunch and make it a nature day! Hike is limited to the first 20 participants. Clubs or groups of more than five people should schedule a private hike.
Stargazing at the Roughs No registration Required.
» Fridays, April 12, June 14 and July 12
» 9:30–11 p.m., FREE, All ages
Don’t miss this opportunity for the whole family to explore the galaxy together as our astronomer takes you on a tour of the Milky Way that’s truly out of this world! Behold the wonder of the cosmos through our Dobsonian telescopes and venture beyond the boundaries of our planet. Learn about the constellations and marvel at the beauty and mystery of the universe in this spectacular free program for the whole family. Bring lawn chairs, refreshments and blankets for comfort and enjoy this family event. Program will be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Please call 512-303-5073 to find out program's status the day of the event. An alternate activity will be provided if program cancels.
Recreation Programs
Clean the Colorado
»Sun., March 3
»9 a.m.-1 p.m., FREE
» Adults and children 14 and up accompanied by an adult
Enjoy the beautiful Austin-Bastrop River corridor while helping to keep this pristine section of the Texas Colorado clean and healthy. Boats and safety equipment will be provided by LCRA. Come along for a free ride and do a good deed at the same time. You will need to bring your own lunch, water, hat and sunscreen. Long pants and shirts are recommended. Groups can be accommodated if pre-arranged with the trip leader. Call Patrick Olsen at (512) 303-5073, Ext. 8035. Preregistration is required.
TOAD – Texas Outdoor Adventure Day
» Sat., April 20
» 9 a.m.-3 p.m., $50 per person, Adults and children ages 7 up
» Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Like the first explorers of Texas, we will travel down the Colorado River, navigate through the woods and climb to great heights. Meet at McKinney Roughs for a day of excitement and adventure with a focus on land and water stewardship. The day begins at the challenge course where we will get vertical on the rock-climbing wall and zip line. Next, everyone becomes an explorer as we use Global Positioning System (GPS) units to navigate the McKinney Roughs hiking trails. We will top it off with a splash -- a raft trip down the Colorado River where getting wet is guaranteed. Bring a bag lunch. Preregistration is required.
Light o’ the Moon Float Trip
» Sat., April 27 and June 22
» 7-11 p.m., $50 per person, Ages 7 and up
Beat the heat and enjoy the river in a whole new way! Floating by the light of the moon, you'll be serenaded under the stars by the nocturnal creatures of the river corridor. Take in the beauty of the sun setting on the Colorado and the cool comfort of the night air as your raft is gently guided down a stretch of tranquil river. Participants must be able to swim. Preregistration is required.
Kayak the Colorado
» Sat., July 20
» 9 a.m.-noon, $40 per person
» Adults and children 14 and up in solo boats, ages 10-13 in tandem boat with adult
There's no better way to usher in your weekend than with a serene and refreshing morning on the water. Listen for the salute of waterfowl greeting the day, catch a glimpse of the waking wildlife along the river banks and bask in the breathtaking scenery. Relax and recharge as you kayak the Colorado. This trip is great for all skill levels. Preregistration is required.
Intro to Canoeing
»Sat., Aug. 10
»9 a.m.–noon, $20 per person
» Adults and children ages 14 and up; children ages 10–13 may participate with an adult sharing a canoe
» Lake Bastrop – North Shore
Learn to canoe and enjoy a serene and refreshing morning on Lake Bastrop. Traveling along the quiet cove of the lake gives you ample time to enjoy the scenic views and waterfowl of this Central Texas ecosystem while also learning to canoe. At this promotional price (regularly $40), this trip is a great opportunity for people interested in trying a new sport. Preregistration is required.
Education Programs
Exploring the Heart of the Colorado River - for Homeschoolers
» Mon., March 18
» 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $35 per child, Ages 7-16
Water is a vital natural resource to all of us as members of our community. As populations increase, so does the need to conserve and manage our water supplies. Students will begin their day rafting on the Colorado River, learning history of the river, ecology of the riparian system and appreciation of this ecosystem. After the raft trip, participants will return to the park to learn more about the importance of water conservation and our natural resources. They will explore the trails on a guided hike and observe the interdependence of some of the species in the park. Then they will work together in groups to build dams in a simulated riverbed and learn about river features, erosion, watersheds, droughts and floods.
Children should bring a sack lunch, bottle of water, sunscreen and dress to get wet. This is a drop-off program but parents may stay and observe programs at the park if they choose. To allow room for more children, we cannot accommodate parents on the raft trip. Please find an alternative activity for siblings younger than the minimum age. Program will cancel for inclement weather. Preregistration is required.
Community Program Registration Policy
McKinney Roughs' reserves the right to cancel programs due to weather or that do not meet the minimum number of participants. Registered participants will be notified by email or phone and rescheduled to another date or program. If that is not possible, a full refund will be given for any program fees paid.
Due to the popularity of the community programs, there is often a waiting list. Staffing and preparations are made based on a program's registration. As a courtesy, participants desiring to cancel should do so at least 24 hours prior to a program's start time. Cancellations made by the participant at least 24 hours from the program start time will receive a full refund. Participants cancelling within 24 hours of the program start time will not receive a refund of fees paid. Cancellations must be made by email to outdoorprograms@lcra.org and include participant name(s) and programs(s) to be canceled. A confirmation email will be sent when the refund is processed.
