Balcones Canyonlands Refugewildlife
Wildlife refugeMonarch butterflies on their fall migration: when conditions are favorable, thousands a day may pass through the refuge's prairies and oak savannas in late September and early October, per the Fish and Wildlife Service. No official report yet this season.
Sources for this timing ↓About Balcones Canyonlands Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in Texas
- What you'll see
- Monarch butterflies · Sep–Oct
- Before you go
- Is there a fee? No, there is no charge to visit, so you don't need to stop at the visitor information center first.Can I bring my dog? No. Dogs and other pets aren't allowed on the refuge; trained service animals are, on a leash at all times.Is it open on weekends? Doeskin Ranch, Warbler Vista and the Shin Oak Observation Deck are open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. The headquarters area is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and its gates won't open on weekends or federal holidays.
Next 7 days at Balcones Canyonlands Refuge
- TodayShowers And Thunderstorms81° / 67°79% rain
- SatChance Showers And Thunderstorms80° / 66°54% rain
- SunChance Rain Showers82° / 67°39% rain
- MonPartly Sunny83° / 63°12% rain
- TueSunny85° / 62°1% rain
- WedSunny87° / –3% rain
Today: sunrise 7:27 a.m., sunset 7:18 p.m., light until 7:42 p.m. · moon last quarter, 55% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
Visitor points on this map: Overlook of River (0.1 mi) · Visitor Center Photo Blind (0.1 mi) · Sunset Deck (1.9 mi)
Where to watch
- Doeskin Ranch and the Pond and Prairie TrailThe refuge's northern public area (10645 FM 1174, Bertram): the easy half-paved Pond and Prairie loop is the one the refuge suggests for butterflies. Vault toilet at the trailhead; open daily dawn to dusk.
- Warbler Vista and the Sunset DeckThe southern public area (21646 ½ E. FM 1431, Lago Vista): drive or hike to the Sunset Deck for views of Lake Travis and the Hill Country. Vault toilets at the Cactus Rocks trailhead parking lot; open daily dawn to dusk.
Worth the drive
- Attwater Prairie Chicken RefugeWildlife refuge120 milate February through early AprilSatShowers And Thunderstorms Likely
- Padre Island National SeashoreSeashore217 mimid-June through AugustSatShowers And Thunderstorms
- Sequoyah RefugeWildlife refuge384 miMarch – SeptemberSatChance Rain Showers
- Bitter Lake RefugeWildlife refuge426 miJuly and AugustSatMostly Sunny
- Yazoo RefugeWildlife refuge449 miFrom March through MaySatChance Rain Showers
- Bayou Sauvage RefugeWildlife refuge489 miSummer (June-August), 2013 bird listSatShowers And Thunderstorms
The year at Balcones Canyonlands Refuge
- At least 37 kinds of dragonflies over the ponds, streams and meadowssummer
- Monarchs may pass through by the thousands a day in late September and early October, when conditions are favorableNowSep–Oct
- Over 20 kinds of sparrows spend the winter herewinter
Balcones Canyonlands Refuge in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge?
Monarch butterflies on their fall migration: when conditions are favorable, thousands a day may pass through the refuge's prairies and oak savannas in late September and early October, per the Fish and Wildlife Service: late September to early October, when conditions are favorable. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it the season at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
Is there a fee?
No, there is no charge to visit, so you don't need to stop at the visitor information center first.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
No. Dogs and other pets aren't allowed on the refuge; trained service animals are, on a leash at all times.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Frequently Asked Questions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is it open on weekends?
Doeskin Ranch, Warbler Vista and the Shin Oak Observation Deck are open every day of the year from dawn to dusk. The headquarters area is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and its gates won't open on weekends or federal holidays.Sources: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Frequently Asked Questions ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there water at the trailheads?
No. Bring plenty of water and snacks; the only water fountain is in the visitor information center, which doesn't sell food or drinks.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge?
Doeskin Ranch and the Pond and Prairie Trail: the refuge's northern public area (10645 FM 1174, Bertram): the easy half-paved Pond and Prairie loop is the one the refuge suggests for butterflies. Vault toilet at the trailhead; open daily dawn to dusk.; Warbler Vista and the Sunset Deck: the southern public area (21646 ½ E. FM 1431, Lago Vista): drive or hike to the Sunset Deck for views of Lake Travis and the Hill Country. Vault toilets at the Cactus Rocks trailhead parking lot; open daily dawn to dusk..
What is Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Monarchs may pass through by the thousands a day in late September and early October, when conditions are favorable (Sep–Oct), At least 37 kinds of dragonflies over the ponds, streams and meadows (Jun–Aug) and Over 20 kinds of sparrows spend the winter here (Dec–Feb).
How we know · Sources (5)
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Oct 1) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Five Super Stops on the Monarch Migration Trail (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Visit Us (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Frequently Asked Questions (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29) · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Species (opens in a new tab) (Sep 29)