Join the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge to Find Your Wild!
This year, we will be hosting two guided hikes and a community outreach event at a local brewery. We’ll also feature a self-guided hike along with an option to try our new mindfulness trail.
Event Details:
A Free, Family-Friendly Event at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
Event #1 – Refuge Round Up!
Date – October 4, 2025
Time – 10 am – 2 pm
Location – 24518 FM1431, Marble Falls, TX
Join us for a day of outdoor fun, nature, and adventure at Refuge Round Up — a completely FREE event for all ages! Bring the whole family and enjoy:
🎯 Archery & BB Guns
🎣 Fishing Fun
🚒 Junior Firefighter Activities
🚚 Touch-a-Truck Experience
🦅 Live Birds of Prey Show (11:30 AM by Last Chance Forever)
🎨 Nature Art & Crafts
🐍 Reptile Encounters
🦉 Meet & Greet with Goldie the Owl
🍔 Delicious eats from Food Dood Food Truck & Mon’Amie’s Caribbean Flavor Ice
…and so much more!
Guided Walks
Event #2 – Guided 7-mile hike at Igau Tract
Date – October 12, 2025
Time – 8 am
Location – This tract of the refuge is North of 1431 on Cow Creek Rd. Since this is a non-public tract, specific directions will be provided to hike registrants closer to the event via email.
Adventure behind-the-scenes of the Refuge for the day, with a 7-mile hike on our Igau Tract! This challenging hike will take you deep into Golden Cheeked Warbler habitat, with many elevation changes taking us to beautiful views of the Refuge!
Our guided hiking tours on private tracts provide a special opportunity to see portions of the refuge that are set aside exclusively for our native plants and animals. These private tracts are made available to you to view exclusively through our guided hike program.
These hiking tours move at a moderate place, with stops along the way to discuss the birds, plants, history, geology and habitats of the Refuge. We see many native plants and beautiful views along the way.
Who is this hike for?
This is a 7-mile hike on an old ranch road, heavily eroded in places, which we classify as a difficult hike due to several significant elevation changes and loose rocks through many sections.
What kind of hike will this be?
On this hike, we will walk deep into juniper oak forest, prized habitat for our Golden Cheeked Warbler residents. We will pause at breathtaking views of the refuge, view many of our native plants and see evidence of the geological uniqueness of hill country. Along the way your guides will pause at a few pre-determined stops to share information about this wonderful place that so many plants and animals call home! By the end of this hike, you will have seen part of the refuge only known to a few, and be more connected to this beautiful place.
What do I need to bring?
Due to the high amount of hiking on slippery rocks and elevation changes, hiking footwear and hiking poles are highly recommended for this hike. Even if you do not typically hike with a pole, we highly recommend it for this hike due to unstable terrain in several areas. Please also bring a snack for the hike such as protein or granola bar, and plenty of water.
Facilities
There is no water and there are not any restrooms available at this closed tract location. Given the length of the hike, please be prepared to use the “great outdoors” when a restroom break is needed.
Event #3 – Guided Hike at Peaceful Springs
Date – October 18, 2025
Time – 9 am
Location – Old Flying X Ranch across from Doeskin Ranch.8339 FM 1174, Bertram, TX 78605
Who is this hike for?
If you are interested in learning more about nature and the refuge, then this hike is for you! Our wonderful guided hike leaders will share information about the refuge, plants, native wildlife, and more!
What kind of hike will this be?
This walk will be along an old 2-track ranch roads, the distance traveled will depend on what we see and how long we stop! The loose rocks combined with short steep slopes make this mostly un-shaded trail moderately difficult. Enjoy long ranging views, learn about how the refuge has changed over time and the conservation work done today to enhance habitats for native Texas Hill Country plants and wildlife.
Facilities
Please note that since this is not a public trail, restrooms and drinking water are not available at the trailhead. Restrooms are available across the road at Doeskin Ranch Trailhead.
Equipment
As always, wear appropriate shoes, bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen. Due to slippery rocks on the trail, hiking poles are also highly recommended.
Group Size
Registration is limited to 25 participants for this hike.
Event #4 – Meet our feathered friends with a birding walk at Doeskin Ranch!
Date – October 18, 2025
Time – 8 am
Location – Doeskin Ranch is located at 10645 FM 1174 Bertram, TX 78605. If you are coming from the Austin area, take Highway 183A to Highway 29 and turn west. Take Hwy 29 for 3 miles and turn left (west) on Ranch Road 1869. Take RR 1869 for 10 miles until it ends at RR 1174, where you will turn left (south). The entrance to Doeskin Ranch will be 2.5 miles on your left (east).
This guided walk is an excellent opportunity to learn about some of our most important residents of the Refuge!
Who is this hike for?
This walk is for both those who already love birding, and for those who are just learning! This is an excellent opportunity to learn and spend time with others who are passionate about birding. If you enjoy greeting the morning with a quiet hike through beautiful hills, this is a great time to do so!
How difficult is this hike?
This hike will be at a “birding pace” – meaning we will stop frequently to observe or listen for birds. We will hike approximately 2-2.5 miles.
Doeskin Ranch has a mix of easy flat terrain as well as uphill and downhill climbs that we rate as moderately difficult due to the inclines and rocky trails. The trails lead us through grasslands, and along creeks and also through mixed juniper oak hillsides.
Time Frame
This walk will be approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the birds we see and where we look for them!
Equipment
Bring your binoculars for observing birds, and some water for drinking. As always, wear appropriate shoes, bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen. Due to slippery rocks on the trail, hiking poles are also highly recommended.
Facilities
There is a restroom at Doeskin Ranch!
Registration is limited to 20 participants for this hike.
Event #5 – Family Friendly Guided Hike and Nature Bingo at Doeskin Ranch
Date – October 19, 2025
Time – 9 am
Location – Doeskin Ranch is located at RR 1174, Bertram, TX 78605
Please be there 15 minutes before the hike start time so that we can start the hike promptly. Once the hike begins, no one will be monitoring the gate.
Who is this event for?
This event is for any family with children that would like to visit the Refuge!
What do I need to bring?
– A smartphone or camera to take photos of the scavenger hunt items
– Water and snacks to enjoy on the trail
– Bug spray or long pants for portions of the trail where grass occasionally overlaps into the trail
– Sunscreen
Group Size: Registration is limited to 25 participants for this hike.
For any questions about this event, contact Charli Krause at charli@friendsofbalcones.org.