LCRA Parks Nature Days
Ready to get outside and enjoy nature this summer? We’ve got you covered with LCRA Parks Nature Days, new half-day programs at LCRA parks in Matagorda and Bastrop counties.
The four-hour sessions will include nature-based education and recreation such as exploring for oysters and scavenger hunts at Matagorda Bay Nature Park, or fly fishing and learning survival skills at three parks in Bastrop County (McKinney Roughs Nature Park, Lake Bastrop North Shore Park and Lake Bastrop South Shore Park). All sessions will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
In addition, participants at Matagorda Bay Nature Park may choose to add on a game of mini golf or 45 minutes of kayaking with instruction from an experienced guide for no additional charge.
LCRA Parks Nature Days are offered three days a week, and participants may register for any or all days. Maximum group size is five people from the same household, including at least one person 18 or older.
Participants will be required to wear face coverings and complete a brief health questionnaire upon arrival.
For additional information, please read the FAQs or call 512-303-5073.
MATAGORDA BAY NATURE PARK
BEACH BLAST
June 15, 17 and 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Explore the wetland and beach habitats of Matagorda Bay. Discover why oysters are a key component in the overall health of Texas bay systems. Learn to use a dichotomous key and field guide to search for wildlife, identify habitats and record your observations online as citizen scientists through the iNaturalist app. Make a river to learn how erosion and deposition have shaped the Matagorda Peninsula. Learn how to shoot a bow and arrow, compete in a sandcastle building contest and create a one-of-a-kind souvenir from materials found on the beach.
Daily activities:
Monday
Oyster explorers
Scavenger hunt
Beach craft
Wednesday
Make a river
Crab hunt
Bird hike
Friday
Archery
Sandcastle building
Fish prints
CALL OF THE WILD
June 22, 24 and 26 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Build shelters using natural materials, make emergency signals and start fires without matches. Learn the ancient skill of throwing atlatls, hunt ghost crabs and master the basics of fishing. Search for wildlife and unique treasures and record your observations online as citizen scientists through the iNaturalist app. Identify animals that are vital for the health of the region’s ecosystems, and create one-of-a-kind souvenirs from materials found on the beach.
Daily activities:
Monday
Shelter building
Atlatls
Fire kits
Wednesday
Crab hunt
Fishing 101
Beach craft
Friday
Scavenger hunt
Oyster explorers
Solar ovens
Pricing
$25/person per day (includes one round of mini golf or 45 minutes of kayaking per group)
$65/person per week (includes one round of mini golf and 45 minutes of kayaking per group per week)
Important information
Each group must include at least one person 18 or older and participants must be from the same household.
Maximum group size is five participants.
Bring your own lunch.
Face coverings are required.
Shuttle service is not available.
BASTROP COUNTY PARKS
LCRA Parks Nature Days activities will take place at three parks in Bastrop County – McKinney Roughs Nature Park, Lake Bastrop South Shore Park and Lake Bastrop North Shore Park.
LIFE IN THE ROUGHS
June 15, 17 and 19; July 13, 15 and 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
**Activities these weeks are at McKinney Roughs Nature Park.
Learn about the world’s biomes and factors for supporting life. Explore the park’s riparian, pine forest and Post Oak Savannah ecosystems on guided hikes and discover the plants, trees and creatures that live there. Conduct a field bioblitz looking for signs of animals, then hone your awareness skills at personal sit spots. Use dichotomous keys and field guides to identify wildlife and record your observations online as citizen scientists through the iNaturalist app.
Daily activities:
Interpretive hike
Live animal demonstration
Insect investigations
Wednesday
Birding hike
Wildlife calls and tree ID
Texas mammals
Friday
Fire ecology and stream hike
Decomposers and fungi
Bioblitz photo contest
WATER WONDERS
June 22, 24 and 26; July 27, 29 and 31 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
**Activities these weeks are at different parks every day.
Dip into the aquatic world and experience its macro and micro wonders. Use dip nets to understand a pond’s water quality and peer through microscopes to view water teeming with life. Learn fly fishing casting techniques and create an artistic memento with natural materials. Explore Lake Bastrop from canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddle boards.
Daily activities:
Monday at Lake Bastrop North Shore Park
Kayaking basics
Fly fishing and casting
Shoreline hike
Wednesday at McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Pine forest hike
Dip netting for insects
Fish adaptations
Friday at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park
Canoeing
Fishing
Cattails crafts
WILDLIFE DETECTIVES
June 29, July 1 and 3; July 27, 29 and 31 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
**Activities these weeks are at McKinney Roughs Nature Park.
Delve into the mysteries of adaptations in mammals, fish, birds and plants. Learn about animal survival and view a live reptile and bird presentation demonstrating the animals’ unique hearing and sight. Investigate the hidden habits of animals through a careful study of their tracks and skulls. Set up wildlife cameras to capture images of nocturnal animals and cast your own animal track to take home.
Daily activities:
Monday
Animal evidence game
Game cameras
Carnivore skull workshop
Wednesday
Mammal tracking
Reptile and insect tracks
Nature ID contest
Friday
Animal tracking hike
Bird adaptations
Reptile and raptor show
OUTDOOR AND WILDERNESS SKILLS
July 6, 8 and 10; Aug. 3, 5 and 7 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
**Activities these weeks are at McKinney Roughs Nature Park.
Build shelters using natural materials, purify water, identify edible and medicinal plants, make emergency signals and start fires without matches. Learn how to navigate backcountry, snack on edible insects, read the landscape to find water and make rope from natural fibers.
Daily activities:
Monday
Survival skills
Fire building with s’mores
Rope making
Wednesday
Edible plants hike
Shelter building
Water purification
Friday
Atlatls
Edible insects
GPS adventure race
Pricing
$35/person per day
$90/person per week
Important information
Each group must include at least one person 18 or older and participants must be from the same household.
Maximum group size is five participants.
Bring your own lunch.
Face coverings are required.
Shuttle service is not available.
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