Inks Lake State Park offers several programs and activities this month, and October is a great time to visit!
Inks Lake State Park is located at 3630 Park Road 4 West. Entrance fees to the park are $5 for a day pass for those 13 and older or $4 a day if staying overnight. Admission is free for children 12 and younger.
Free programs — with park admission — include:
- Free fishing with the ranger, 5-6 p.m. Fridays: Free catch-and-release program with poles and worms provided. Meet at the park store.
- Hike the Hill Country, 1-4 p.m. Oct. 8 and 22: Challenging 4-mile hike with a Master Naturalist for experienced hikers. Bring water and wear closed-toe shoes. Meet at the Pecan Flats Trailhead.
- Stumpy Hollow Hike, 9-10 a.m. Oct. 15 and 29: Explore the wildlife, flowers, trees and more with a Master Naturalist. Meet at the Pecan Flats Trailhead.
- Texas Time Travelers, 2-4 p.m. Oct. 22: Special presentations by Trappers Jack and Wayne about fur trading, trapping and the life of early settlers.
- Creatures of the Night and Star Party, 6-10 p.m. Oct. 29: Meet and learn about life-size creatures, receive treats and gaze at the stars. Meet behind the park store. The park also will hold programs for a fee. Participants should pre-register or pay the fee at least a half-hour before the program begins.
These programs include:
- Geology Rocks, 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays. Cost is $3: Hike and learn about the geology and rock formations in the park. Meet at the park headquarters.
- Electric boat cruise, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays except Oct. 29. Cost is $16-$20: Sign up for the cruise at park headquarters and meet behind the park store. Pre-registration is required.
- Owl Prowl, 6:30-8 p.m. Oct. 9. Cost is $3: Meet at the park headquarters for a guided hike about owls.
- Moonlight Paddle, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 8. Cost is $15: Meet at the park store for a guided, moonlit tour on the lake. Must be 18 years or older. Pre-registration required at the park headquarters.
- Canoe/kayak basics with tour to Devils Waterhole, 9-11 a.m. Oct. 15 and 22. Cost is $12 for adults, $10 for children 12 and younger: Learn the basic paddling, boating skills and safety. Bring water and wear sunscreen and water shoes. Kayaks and canoes provided. Meet at the shoreline by the park store. Pre-registration is required.
- Breakfast with the Birds, 8-10 a.m. Fridays. Cost is $16-$20: Enjoy a light breakfast and bird-watching boat tour on the lake. Meet behind the park store. Pre-registration is required.
To pre-register for programs, call the park headquarters at (512) 793-2223. For more about the programs, call the park naturalists at (512) 793-4689. For more about the park, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
