Be a Friend of River Ranch County Park
Friends of River Ranch County Park (FRRCP) is a 501(c)(3) organization created to support & provide volunteers for Williamson County's newest park. Join us today to help sustain the park for future generations to enjoy!
Latest News
River Ranch Celebrates the Park’s Two-Year Anniversary
with a Second Mileage Challenge!
FRRCP is excited to support the second mileage challenge at River Ranch County Park by once again offering public guided hikes and donating Wilco Annual Park Passes to participants in this year’s 25 in ’25 Challenge. The 2025 challenge builds on the success of 2024 20-Miler Challenge which marked the park’s first anniversary. Between July and November of that year, a total of 1,736.03 miles were logged by 70 challenge participants and 5 dogs.
To commemorate the Second Anniversary of the opening of River Ranch County Park, individuals, families, groups, organizations and businesses are urged to take part in this expanded version of a user-friendly mileage challenge. It is designed to offer hikers, runners and walkers an enjoyable option for outdoor exercise while also introducing them to the park’s extensive trail system and including them in the county-wide anniversary celebration.
Over the Challenge period (July 22 through November 30, 2025), participants can explore River Ranch trails at their convenience, choosing the routes and distances which appeal to them and visiting the trails as often as they wish! Each hiker, runner or walker must track their mileage using a fitness app (Garmin, All Trails, Map My Walk, etc.) and then submit proof of distance, location and duration to rrcp@wilcotx.gov once the full 25 trail miles are completed.
To acknowledge those who complete the Challenge, the Friends of River Ranch will award 25 Wilco Annual Parks Passes (each a $50 value) to individuals who both complete the challenge and join or renew their FRRCP membership during the challenge period. Recipients who already hold a Parks Pass may apply their reward pass credit toward the following year’s renewal.
To motivate 25 in ‘25 participants to explore the park’s 20+ miles of nature paths, the Friends group will also coordinate public Guided Hikes on five Saturday mornings. Listings for July, August, September, October and November guided hikes can be found on the Upcoming Events section of the FRRCP website.
- To read the Wilco press release announcing the 25 in ‘25 Challenge, click HERE.
- For details on participating in the 25 in ’25 Challenge, click HERE.
- To view an entertaining video filmed at RRCP to motivate challengers, click HERE.
- For eleven (11) suggested self-guided hike routes (1-10 miles), click HERE.
IC Library Receives Donation from Travis Audubon Society
Thanks to a generous donation made to FRRCP by the Travis Audubon Society during the relocation of its headquarters this summer, the River Ranch Interpretive Center’s reference library has a new infusion of nature-themed books. TAS Land Manager and Educator Chris Murray personally selected thirty-three books of interest to nature lovers on topics ranging from birds and butterflies to flowers, insects and conservation. During your next visit to the park, check out the TAS donation as well as the other excellent resource materials available in the park’s Library. Many thanks to FRRCP Secretary Karen Shawhan for creating a master list to document the TAS collection. The Interpretive Center Library was established in 2021 through the donation of the personal collection of Sue Wiseman, a founding member of the Friends of River Ranch Board of Directors.
PHOTO: TAS staff member Chris Murray worked with the Friends group to select reference books which will enhance the Interpretive Center’s growing collection.
Upcoming Events
River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge
Guided Hike – River View Loop
Saturday 9/20/25 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Meet-Up Location: Trailhead Parking West
Open to River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge Participants (Park Fees Apply)
Youth Participants Must Be 10 Years+ and Accompanied by an Adult
Open to the Public – No Registration Required
Dogs Cannot Be Accommodated on This Group Hike
Participants in the River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the RIVER VIEW LOOP with experienced Friends Hike Leaders who are familiar with park trails. This hike is categorized as “Easy” and will be conducted at a moderate pace. RIVER VIEW LOOP covers 4.58 miles and departs from Trailhead Parking West. For a turn-by-turn description of the route, CLICK HERE. Sturdy footwear and a generous supply of drinking water will be required! Meet the Hike Leaders at the meet-up location no later than 10 minutes prior to the departure time of 9:00 AM.
Raptor Talk
Saturday 9/27/25 from 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Interpretive Center Amphitheater
Open to the Public – No Registration Required (Park Fees Apply)
Meet Central Texas wildlife rehabilitator Ed Sones and some of his “education” hawks and owls at an informal RAPTOR TALK sponsored by FRRCP at the River Ranch Interpretive Center amphitheater on Saturday afternoon, September 27, from 5:30 PM until 6:30 PM. A resident of Cedar Park, Ed has been a wildlife rehabber for over thirty years and is licensed to handle birds of prey. During his volunteer career, Ed has personally rehabbed thousands of birds of well over 120 species. He has served on the board of Austin Area Wildlife Rehabilitation and is affiliated with Austin Wildlife Rescue. Local wildlife handlers Desiree Lavigne (Marble Falls) and Gerrie McCall (Okalla) will be on hand to assist Ed with his hour-long presentation.
Photo: Red-Tailed Hawk, Texas Audubon Society, Bird of the Week April 23, 2025
River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge
Guided Hike – Horseshoe Loop
Saturday 10/18/25 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Meet-Up Location: Trailhead Parking West
Open to River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge Participants (Park Fees Apply)
Youth Participants Must Be 10 Years+ and Accompanied by an Adult
Open to the Public – No Registration Required
Dogs Cannot Be Accommodated on This Group Hike
Participants in the River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the HORSESHOE LOOP with experienced Friends Hike Leaders who are familiar with park trails. This hike is categorized as “Easy” and will be conducted at a moderate pace. HORSESHOE LOOP covers 5.19 miles and departs from Trailhead Parking West. For a turn-by-turn description of the route, CLICK HERE. Sturdy footwear and a generous supply of drinking water will be required! Meet the Hike Leaders at the meet-up location no later than 10 minutes prior to the departure time of 9:00 AM.
River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge
Guided Hike – Prairie Overlook Loop
Saturday 11/22/25 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Meet-Up Location: Trailhead Parking East
Open to River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge Participants (Park Fees Apply)
Youth Participants Must Be 10 Years+ and Accompanied by an Adult
Open to the Public – No Registration Required
Dogs Cannot Be Accommodated on This Group Hike
Participants in the River Ranch 25 in ’25 Challenge are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to explore the PRAIRIE OVERLOOK LOOP with experienced Friends Hike Leaders who are familiar with park trails. This hike is categorized as “Easy” and will be conducted at a moderate pace. PRAIRIE OVERLOOK LOOP covers 5.40 miles and departs from Trailhead Parking East. For a turn-by-turn description of the route, CLICK HERE. Sturdy footwear and a generous supply of drinking water will be required! Meet the Hike Leaders at the meet-up location no later than 10 minutes prior to the departure time of 9:00 AM.
