11th Annual Nature Quest April 22,23,24, 2010 The Best Birding and all-round Nature Festival in Central Texas.

During Nature Quest you'll enjoy learning from Experts about birds, bluebirds, bats, hummingbirds, butterflies, insects, big trees, natural history, native & medicinal plants, invasive plants, Texas wildflowers, horned lizards, reptiles, making your own backyard a wildlife habitat, all through field trips, workshops and programs. Diverse vegetation and wildlife, monumental trees on the National Registry of Big Trees, the world's second largest Mexican Free-tailed Bat population, many rare and endangered species of birds such as the Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black-capped Vireo are just a few reasons .........

The Hill Country River Region is a perfect backdrop for your Nature Quest Adventure!

Leaders & Speakers Include; Mitch Heindel, Tony Gallucci, Bob & Martha Sargent, Fred Bassett, Marshall Johnston, Derek Muschalek, Bill Brooks, Bain Walker, Lee Haile, Bob Rasa, Susan Sanders, Mark Klym, LeAnn & Anthony Sharp.

Hill Country Adventures Owners LeAnn & Anthony Sharp

*Give Our Gift Certificates For a Birthday, Christmas, Honeymoon or Anniversary*

Campfire Storytelling (Year Around)
    Professional Storyteller Lee Haile Entertains with Cowboy Poetry, Singing, some Tall & Funny Tales about People, Critters & Cowboys. Lee has Performed for many years at Venues & Festivals such as San Antonio's Folklife Festival & even Sea World of Texas!
    For True Pioneer Stories listen to Lora B. Garrison as she Brings to Life the every day Adventures of our Pioneer Ancestors. She has a Book in the works- "Texas Stompin Grounds". Her Book, like her Storytelling is a Collection of Stories & Oral Histories she recorded back in the 1970's from the Old Timers that still lived in the Hill Country.

Champion Big Tree Tour (Year Around)
    Our area has 6 Past State Champions, 11 State Champions, & 5 National Champion Trees, Plus the Largest Tree in Texas. Most of which are on Private Properties. You can see some of them on the Big Tree Tour with our guides.

Birding / Nature Tours (Year Around)
    Hiking / Driving on Private Hill Country Ranches & State Parks. Our Area is a World-Class Birding & Wildlife Viewing Destination. One of the Best Places in Texas to See the Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo & All 3 King-fisher species. For handicapped or those that prefer to ride we have an open touring vehicle which can seat 5 people plus the Guide.

Sport Caving & Rappelling (Mid Jan. to Nov.)
    Build Confidence & have fun. Learn to crawl thru an underground world, while viewing formations in a "live" cave. Learn to go down a rope in style. At the finish of this course you'll know how to descend with confidence. Knot Tying Class Required First.

Nature By Kayak (Mar. thru Sept.)
    Travel down the Beautiful Clear Frio River on a 3 or 4 hour Nature Tour By Kayak. These Kayak Tours are dependant upon River & Weather Conditions. We do not provide Kayaks; but can tell you where to get them, and help you haul them.

Frio Bat Flight Tour (Mar. thru Sept.)
    This is a maternity colony; the Bats Migrate here from Mexico for the Spring & Summer to give birth & raise their Pups.
    This is the 2nd Largest Bat Population in the World ~ But, it's the Largest Bat Population in the World that's Open to the Public. Be Amazed As You Watch 10 to 12 Million Mexican free-tailed Bats Emerge From The Frio Cave Into the Evening Sky. You will also see Hawks & Falcons Catching the Bats in Mid Air for their Evening Meal.
    An Awesome Experience of a Lifetime! Bat Flight is not located at our Nature Center. Click here for Schedule & Map

Hill Country Adventures, Nature Center & Office, shown below, is Located on FM 1050 10 miles west of Utopia & 4.5 miles east of Garner State Park. Our Tours lead you around Concan, Leakey, Rio Frio, Uvalde, Vanderpool & Utopia Texas; a Unique Region of the Edwards Plateau which includes Lost Maples State Natural Area & Garner State Park. Approximately 90 miles (1.5 hours) N.W. of San Antonio, Texas.