Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Events

*PLEASE REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT USING THIS LINK*

Difficulty: Easy to moderate – some steep hills and uneven ground
Distance: approximately 3 miles – 3 hours
Location: Dead end of Wilson Parke Ave., where it meets Muir Parke Pass, off RR 620.

Please note that no pets are allowed on the preserve.

Join Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Hike Guides for a trek on the Canyon Loop trail at Grandview Hills. The trail winds approximately 3 miles along hillsides and small canyons of closed canopy woodlands for which the Balcones Canyonlands are named. We'll finish this trail with a look into one of our shelter caves. It's easy to moderately difficult, with some steep hills and uneven ground.

The BCP is one of the nation’s largest urban preserves, covering more than 33,000 acres in western Travis County – about 50 square miles. It is made up of more than 140 individual tracts managed by both public and private partners. The BCP was created in 1996 and continues to protect habitat for seven endangered species and other species of concern found on the preserve. Learn more about the BCP here.

We will meet at the preserve gate at the end of Wilson Parke Ave. where it meets Muir Parke Pass.

*PLEASE REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT USING THIS LINK*

Difficulty: Moderate to arduous - please note that this hike has some strenuous inclines and declines. Hiking poles are highly encouraged. We have a few pairs to loan out.
Distance: approximately 2.5 miles (3 hours)
Location: Snowden House, off FM 2769, near Anderson Mill

Please note that no pets are allowed on the preserve.

Join a Travis County Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP) Interpretive Guide for a hike on the Collins Trail! This trek will start at our Snowden House, taking you up semi-steep terrain before wandering through gorgeous Golden-Cheeked Warbler habitat and back down into creek beds. Along the way, your guide will introduce you to the preserve, the species we protect, and our mission.

The BCP is one of the nation’s largest urban preserves, covering more than 33,000 acres – about 50 square miles. It is made up of more than 140 individual tracts managed by both public and private partners. The BCP was created in 1996 and continues to protect habitat for seven endangered species and other species of concern found on the preserve.

*PLEASE REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT USING THIS LINK*

Difficulty: Easy – some slight incline
Distance: ~1.5 miles – 2 hours
Location: We will meet at the Snowden house, near Anderson Mill and FM 2769

Please note that pets are not allowed on the preserve.

Celebrate Texas Arbor Day with a leisurely nature walk on the BCP! Join us as we explore the beauty and importance of Texas' native trees. This guided hike is perfect for all ages and skill levels, offering a chance to connect with nature and learn about the vital role trees play in our ecosystem.

We will start at the Snowden house and walk the trail that winds its way through open fields, creek beds, hilltops, and forests. The terrain is easy-moderately difficult, with a couple of semi-steep hills and some uneven ground. The trail is about 1.5 miles. Along the trail, staff will introduce you to the preserve, the species we protect, and our mission.

The entrance to Snowden can be tricky to find. We recommend you search for "Snowden Tract, Travis County BCP" in Google maps, and it will take you to the correct gate. Also, look for the white "BCP Event" sign at our driveway.

More detailed directions will be sent to all registrants before the date of the nature walk.

Travis County Natural Resources invites you to join us for an Open House!
This event will take place at our Snowden House on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). We are offering self-guided hiking on our Bunten Loop and Collins Trail from 8:00am to 12:00pm. All hikers must be on trail by noon; no hikers will be permitted to enter after this cut off time to ensure hikers are off trail by 1:00pm.

Please note that no pets are allowed on the preserve.

We will also have crafting and nature journaling available! This event is family friendly and great for all ages.

Leave No Trace:
The BCP is home to many species which are listed as endangered or threatened. Remember to be respectful of wildlife - observe wildlife from a distance and do not follow or approach them. Never feed the wildlife as this damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Please remember to pack out any trash and dispose of waste properly. This includes food scraps (such as orange or banana peels) which can make wildlife sick.

Additionally, the items we find in nature have a role to play, either in the ecosystem or the story of the landscape. Leaving what we find in place helps to preserve both. Allow others a sense of discovery by leaving rocks, plants, archaeological artifacts, and other objects of interest as you find them.

Be sure to hike only on the trail. Staying on trail allows you to move through natural areas while avoiding damage to the land, foliage, or waterways. Understanding how travel causes impacts is necessary to accomplish this goal. Damage occurs when surface vegetation or communities of organisms are trampled beyond recovery.
Learn more at 7 Principles - Leave No Trace

Trail Descriptions:
Trail maps will be available at the Snowden House on the day of the event

Bunten Loop:
Starts at the Snowden house and follows a trail that winds its way through open fields, creek beds, hilltops, and forests. The terrain is easy-moderately difficult, with a couple of semi-steep hills and some uneven ground. The trail is about 1.5 miles.

Collins Trail:
This challenging trek also starts at our Snowden House, taking you up steep terrain before wandering through gorgeous Golden-Cheeked Warbler habitat and back down into creek beds - and up and down again! Please note that this hike has some strenuous inclines – hiking poles are encouraged. This trail is about 2.5 miles.

Directions:
The entrance also can be hard to see when you're driving. It's on the south/east side of FM 2769 just north of Abbotsbury Drive at the bottom of a steep hill, just before the guardrail begins. Look for the white sandwich board "BCP Event" sign at the entrance. If you've not been there before, the house can be a bit tricky to find, we recommend searching for "Snowden Tract, Travis County BCP" in Google Maps, or click on this hyperlink - it should take you right to the entrance. We do not recommend searching for 13043 FM 2769 in Google Maps – even though that is the address, it will take you to the wrong place up the road.