South Ridge Re-Opening
Celebrate the Re-Opening of the South Ridge Trail with us!
Friday, November 20 - Saturday, November 21
Our beloved South Ridge Trail will re-open for hikers. Hike on your own or join us for a guided hike.
Hiking on your own? Purchase a Day Pass the day you plan to visit or pay when you arrive. $5 per person. Ages 2 and under FREE.
Guided Hikes
Friday, November 20 | 2 - 4 pm
Saturday, November 21 | 10: 30 - 12:30 am
Tickets: $5 / person
Please consider making an additional donation to support ongoing trail maintenance at Owl's Hill. (You can do this when you select your ticket.)
Ages 12 +
Our South Ridge Trail sustained severe damage during the winter storm of January 2026. Extensive repairs to the trail and a much - needed re-route have given one of our most popular trails a new life. Explore one of the most scenic areas of Owl's Hill on this staff-led hike. We'll pass through mature hardwood forests, enjoy the view from the dry oak - hickory ridgetop, and see some previously unexplored portions of the property.
This is a 2 mile hike with 300 feet of elevation gain. Closed - toed shoes or boots are strongly recommended.
Hikes will last approximately 2 hours.
To protect the wildlife, pets are not permitted on the grounds.
REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY:
- REFUND POLICY: There are no refunds for programs you cannot attend, however you may transfer your ticket to a friend, colleague or family member by calling us in advance of the program date.
- CANCELLATION: Programs are rain or shine. We will, however, cancel a program if Williamson County is under a severe weather warning issued by the National Weather Service. Participants will be notified of cancellations by email. If a program is cancelled, you will receive a credit (valid for 30 days) toward Day Pass admissions.
FOR EVERYONE'S SAFETY:
- Please stay home if you are sick or were recently exposed to someone with a respiratory illness.
- Our outdoor portable toilets each have hand sanitizers inside.
- Please bring a refillable water bottle. We do not have a communal water fountain.
- Insect repellant and sunscreen is recommended (depending on the season).
Saturday, September 19, 2026 10 am - 12:30 pm $40/ group of 2 (includes one bat box kit) $30/ individual adult (includes one bat box kit) $10/ additional child (Under 12. Does not include a bat box kit - must be purchased in conjunction with a group or individual registration) Children 2 and under FREE! We're kicking off spooky season with a celebration of all things creepy and crawly! Meet our slithering and skittering wildlife ambassadors and find out why bugs, snakes and bats are important, fascinating, amazing, and maybe not so scary. Learn how to live in harmony with (and even attract) some of our spookiest, coolest wildlife. Nature Conservancy Cave Program Director, Cory Holliday will be onsite for a special presentation on bats. Registration includes a bat box to build and take home. (We'll provide the tools and guide participants through the project. No experience necessary!)
Fall is the best time to plant! Choose from a selection of native seeds, perennials, trees, shrubs, grasses and vines. Quantities are limited. Stock is subject to change. All sales are final. Online Pre-Sale: October 15 - 20 Pre-orders must be picked up on Friday, October 23 b etween 8 am - 2 pm In-Person Event: Saturday, October 24 10 am - 12:30 pm Proceeds benefit
Join us for Marshmallow Hikes! November 28 December 12, 19, 22, 29, 30 & 31 January 2 & 9 Special Noon Year's Eve Hike: December 31 - 11 am Hike: Includes a craft and kid-friendly toast at noon. $15 / person ($17 walk-up) Hikes begin PROMPTLY at 9:30 am, 11 am & 1 pm. Please arrive at least 10 minutes prior to your departure time. No 1 pm hikes on December 31 & January 9 Register online and save - ticket sales close at 8 am for the day's hikes Online Tickets: $11 / person Walk-up Tickets: $13 / person Children 2 and under: Free Are you looking for something to do with the family during the holidays or an excuse to get out of the house by yourself? How does a nice hike in the winter woods followed by hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows sound? Come by Owl's Hill for our annual Marshmallow and Hot Chocolate Hikes. Hike Types Easy: 1/2 mile, mostly level with one short hill. Time: 30 - 40 min Moderate: 1 mile with some hills. 150 foot total elevation gain. Time: about 60 min Both hike types follow natural surface trails. No strollers or wagons. Note: To protect the wildlife, we do not permit pets on the Sanctuary grounds.
Fall Lantern Hikes Friday, October 2 Hike Time: 7 - 9 pm Friday, November 6 Hike Time 6 - 8 pm All hikes are scheduled to begin after sunset. Please note the start time of your hike. Cost: $18 / person Ages 12+ only . Minors (ages 12 - 17) must be accompanied by an adult. Gate opens 30 minutes before program start. Program begins promptly at noted time. No late entries. No exceptions. Pack dinner and arrive early to picnic on the grounds. We are a pack-in/pack-out facility - please plan to take your trash with you. Come along on a nighttime adventure! We'll explore the woods at night by lantern light, listen for the sounds of nocturnal animals including owls, coyotes, crickets and frogs, and share stories about the history of Owl's Hill. This program is for adventurers who are looking for a longer hike than our typical evening programs. The route is 1.5 miles of moderately challenging natural surface trail. Participants can expect moderate uphill and downhill hiking as well as areas of uneven terrain. Once the hike departs, participants are expected to stay with the group for the duration of the hike. Closed-toe shoes suitable for hiking are strongly recommended. For the safety and comfort of all participants, participants are not permitted to carry additional sources of light (headlamps, flashlights, etc.). Lanterns will be provided.
Janu ary 23, 2027 9:00 am - Noon Tickets $40 per person This morning workshop offers an opportunity for those who love nature, writing, and creativity to come together and pursue all three in a small group setting (8 person maximum) Facilitated in the Amherst Writers & Artists method, this workshop is designed to nurture the inherent creative abilities of every participant. Are you curious about writing in nature or about nature? Do you regularly journal or keep a blog? Do you write professionally? Has it been years since picking up a pen? Do you want to create a writing practice for yourself? With nature as our inspiration and subject, we'll write to at least three prompts with an opportunity to share with the group. This is not a critique workshop. When words are brand new on the page we do not edit or perfect. We respond with what resonated in a strong way and what we remember. We'll discuss the AWA philosophy and practices at the beginning of each workshop, and encourage participants to learn more here: Philosophy and Practices ⋆ Amherst Writers & Artists What to bring: Notebook and pen, journal and colored pencils, laptop -- your choice! Optional: A sack lunch to enjoy following the workshop, as well as comfortable shoes and clothes to explore the trails at Owl's Hill.
Saturday, August 22, 2026 Program Time: 10 am - 12 pm Cost: $40 Includes: - Up to 2 people per registration - One (1) mushroom cultivation kit - Guided hike Pre-registration is required. Learn the basics of mushroom cultivation for edible oyster mushrooms, and a bit about the biology and ecology of fungus. Participants will learn how to get started growing mushrooms at home and will assemble an easy to care for oyster grow kit to take home. The program concludes with a short mushroom identification and appreciation hike. This program is designed with adults and teens in mind. Suitable for ages 7 and up.
Fall Color Hikes 2026 October 17, 24 & 31; November 7, 14 & 21 all hikes begin 9:30am Cost $15/hiker Fall is upon us! Join our guides for an expert-led hike following the progression of fall at Owl’s Hill. This series of guided walks is just for adults and teens. Walks begin promptly at 9:30. Space is limited - purchase tickets in advance to secure your spot. Cameras and binoculars welcome. This is a moderately strenuous hike, open to age 14+ . Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Kids Ages 3 to 5 and Parents
Saturday, November 7, 2026 10:00am – 1:00pm Buy your tickets online and save! $15 Adults (Ages 13+) / $17 at the door $10 Children 12 and under / $12 at the door (Ages 2 and under are free) Online ticket sales close at 8 am the day of the event. Walk up tickets can be purchased at Owl's Hill starting at 9:45 am. A celebration of all things owl at Owl's Hill Sanctuary! Meet our non-releasable program owls and enjoy entertaining and informative talks on each species. Make an owl craft, dissect owl pellets, go for a scavenger hunt and more! Fun for all ages! Owl Ambassador Presentations: 10:30 am 11:30 am 12:30 pm
2026 Full Moon Hikes Strawberry Moon: June 26 Buck Moon: July 31 Sturgeon Moon: August 28 All Hikes: 7:30 - 9 pm All hikes are sold out. Please fill out our waitlist form if you would like to be notified if tickets become available. $15/person Age 12+ (minors must be accompanied by an adult) Gate opens 1 hour before program start. Program begins promptly at 7:30. No late entries. No exceptions. Pack dinner and arrive early to picnic on the grounds. We are a pack-in/pack-out facility. Join us as we explore Owl's Hill at sunset and enjoy the sights and sounds of day turning to night. We'll listen for owls, coyotes, and night-singing insects. As the stars come out, we'll look for constellations, planets, and even meteors. Meet our non-releasable owl ambassadors and learn about the adaptations that help nocturnal animals survive. Find out what we can expect to see in the sky that night. After that, we'll head out on the trail to look and listen for the wonders of the night. No flashlights, please! Owl Prowl programs include an easy one-mile hike with some gentle uphill and downhill hiking. Our trails are natural surface, and hikers can expect a few spots with uneven terrain. Wear shoes suitable for hiking. Insect repellent is strongly recommended.
