Inks Lake State Park has programs, hikes and more scheduled for September

SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE

BURNET — Inks Lake State Park has released its September schedule.

The park is located at 3630 Park Road 4 West. Daily park entrance fees are $6 for ages 13 and older, $3 for Texas residents 65 and older and free for ages 12 and younger. A Texas State Parks Pass that waives entrance fees for state parks may be purchased for $70.

Programs include:

• Fishing with a Ranger — 6-7 p.m. Fridays. Meet behind the park store.

• Tackle loaner program — Park loans fishing poles and a tackle box for free. Visit the park store.

• Geocaching 101 Workshop — 9-10:30 a.m. Sept. 28. Learn the basics of this modern treasure hunt. Cost is $3 a person plus entrance fees. Meet at the amphitheater. Wear closed-toe shoes and bring water.

Hikes include:

• Stumpy Hollow Hike — 9:30 a.m. Sept. 7 and 21. Join a Highland Lakes Master Naturalist on a one-hour hike to Stumpy Hollow, learning about variety of animal habitats and vegetation. The hike is free with park entrance fees. Meet at the Pecan Flats trailhead.

• Hike the Hill Country — 1-4 p.m. Sept. 14 and 28. Join a Highland Lakes Master Naturalist for a four-mile-plus hike up and down rock outcrops with views of the lake and Hoover’s Valley. Bring water and a snack for the three-hour hike. The hike is free with park entrance fees. Meet at the Pecan Flats trailhead.

Water activities include:

• Sunset cruise on an electric boat — 6-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays with Saturday rides Sept. 7 and 28. Weather permitting. Meet behind the park store. Pre-registration at the park headquarters is required. There is a limit of eight passengers per trip. The cost is $20 for adults and $16 for senior citizens, children and Texas State Park Pass holders.

• Moonlight paddle — 7:30-9:30 p.m. Sept. 21. A full moon paddle boat trip on the lake. Participants must be at least 18 years old. Wear water shoes and bring bottled water and a flashlight. Lifejackets will be supplied. There are a limited number of canoes, so pre-registration is required. Meet behind the park store. The cost is $15 per person. If you bring your own canoe or kayak (with a working 360-degree light), the cost is $12.

• Devil’s Waterhole canoe clinic — noon-2p.m. Fridays and on Saturdays, Sept. 7 and 28. Learn the basics of paddling a canoe followed by a guided tour to either Devil’s Waterhole or a longer trip to Stumpy Hollow (not for beginners). Wear swim clothing and shoes. Pre-registration at the park headquarters required. Meet behind the Park Store. The cost is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors, children and Texas State Park Pass holders.

• Underwater Discovery — 10 a.m. Thursdays. Explore shallow waters with a seining net to learn about aquatic life, including minnows, bugs and plants. Participants should be prepared to get wet as you will be wading into water several feet deep, though getting into the water is not required. The program is free with park entrance fees. Meet behind the park store.

To register for programs, visit the park headquarters or call (512) 793-2223. For more information about the programs, call the park interpreter at (512) 793-4689.