BASTROP – Identifying nocturnal wildlife noises, star gazing through telescopes, and floating the Colorado River by moonlight are just a handful of activities to choose from this fall and winter at LCRA’s McKinney Roughs Nature Park, located on State Highway 71 between Austin and Bastrop.

McKinney Roughs Nature Park is a 1,100-acre nature park and natural science center owned and operated by LCRA. For more information about the park and a list of all its programs, call (512) 303-5073 or look online at www.lcra.org/parks/developed_parks/mckinney_roughs.html.

Park programs featured this fall and winter include:

Nighttime Nature Walk
Join McKinney Rough’s naturalists as you experience nature at night. Call eastern screech owls and look for the eye shine of spiders along the trail. Hikers hone their observation skills and learn how nocturnal animals see in the dark. Discover nighttime nature as you stroll through the hushed wild and listen to the critters that are active after dark. Pre-registration is required. Call McKinney Roughs at (512) 303-5073 or e-mail outdoorprograms@lcra.org. Sept. 13, and Oct. 11; 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Free; all ages.

Ranger in the Roughs
Bring the family, sit in our amphitheater under the night sky and learn about the native animals that inhabit the land in and around the Colorado River. Our wildlife instructor will focus on the natural and scientific history and folklore of one animal per month. Third Thursday of each month through February; 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Free; all ages. No registration is required. September - American bald eagle, October - Mexican free-tailed bat, November - white-tailed deer, December – raccoon, January - American alligator, February - nine-banded armadillo.

Star Parties Join other night-sky revelers for a chance to marvel at the beauty of the planets and the Earth's place in the galaxy. The wonders of the universe will come to life when viewed through our 10-inch Dobsonian telescopes. Our astronomer will tell stories of the constellations and point out other wonders as they appear. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, coolers and insect repellant. Nov. 9, Dec. 14 and Feb. 21; 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Free; all ages. No registration is required. Nov. 9 - New moon, Uranus, the Pleiades, Andromeda galaxy. Dec. 14 - Peak night for the Geminids meteor shower, known for producing up to 60 multicolored meteors per hour. Feb. 21 - Total lunar eclipse.

Light O’ the Moon Float Trip
How do you beat the heat and still have fun on the river? Start with a sunset raft trip on the Colorado River, enjoy the sunset and cool night air. Relax as your raft is gently guided down a moonlit stretch of tranquil river. Pre-registration is required. Call McKinney Roughs at (512) 303-5073 or e-mail outdoorprograms@lcra.org. Participants must be able to swim. Sept. 22; 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.; $50 per person; ages 7 and up.

Walk on the Wild Side!
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 and how the river influences animal, plant and human life along its banks. Each monthly walk will focus on a different aspect of the river’s story. Geology, botany, native and early people, wildlife and river history are just some examples. After your hike, visit the McKinney Roughs exhibit hall, bring a picnic lunch and make a day out of it. Walk of the Wild Side T-shirts are available in our gift shop. Pre-registration is required. Hike is limited to the first 20 participants. Clubs or groups of more than five people should schedule a private hike. Call McKinney Roughs at (512) 303-5073 or e-mail outdoorprograms@lcra.org for more information. First Saturday of each month through February; 10 a.m. to noon; Free; ages 8 and up.

Acorn Eaters - Nature Club for Kids
Can your son play video games better than he can identify a snake? Can your daughter surf the Internet better than she can sight a hawk overhead? This nature club will help your child connect to the natural world and learn about native people through wilderness adventures, games and exploration. Kids will experience the outdoors and discover new skills while learning to work with other children. Pre-registration is required. Call McKinney Roughs at (512) 303-5073 or e-mail outdoorprograms@lcra.org. Second Saturday of each month through February; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $10 per child; ages 7-10.

Texas Outdoor Adventure Day (TOAD)
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 fun, adventure and good food. The day begins with a raft trip down the Colorado, followed by an old-fashioned Dutch-oven lunch. After a hearty helping of cobbler, everyone becomes an explorer as we use global positioning system (GPS) units to navigate to the McKinney Roughs Challenge Course. At the challenge course, we will go vertical on a rock climbing wall and zip line. Pre-registration is required. Call McKinney Roughs at (512) 303-5073 or email outdoorprograms@lcra.org. Sept. 29; 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.; $45 per person; ages 10 and up.