Summer Solstice in the Canyon

Join us for a summer evening of family fun!

• Live Birds of Prey presented by Window to the Wild
• Kids' Activities
• Lawn Games
• Hiking Trails
• Frozen Treats
• Beer (Wild Acre) & Cider (Bishop Cider)
• Vendors
• Gift shop discounts 

All guests must have a general admission ticket. General admission tickets grant access to all activities described above. Beer & Cider is limited to two drinks per guest presenting an "Adult with Beer/Cider" ticket. 

The Canyon Floor Trail will be open for all guests to enjoy at their leisure. Optionally, tickets can be added for one of our guided hikes. If tickets are available, this will be an option during checkout. Guided hikes are limited in capacity so that all guests have an enjoyable experience. Therefore, not all guests will be able to join a guided hike. Our stroller and ADA-friendly hike will be at 7:15p and will take place on the paved Balcones Trail in front of our building. Our 6:30p and 8:00p hikes will be on the West Loop Trail. The West Loop Trail gains about 130 feet in elevation over a quarter of a mile and has exposed tree roots and rocks that may be a hazard for some hikers.

Hikes will last approximately 30 minutes, are family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Hikers must be present at the time of departure. No refunds for missed hikes.

Please dress for the conditions and wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. Trekking poles are optional for those needing a bit more stability to navigate over rocks and roots.

Guided hikes must be purchased at the same time as your general admission tickets. Since guided hikes are an upgrade to general admission, we do not permit purchases of hiking-only tickets. All hikers must also have general admission tickets. 

If you have families/groups purchasing tickets separately and want to hike together, please coordinate the hike time being purchased with all others in your party/group. Depending on ticket availability, it may not be possible to accommodate everyone on the same hike. To remain on schedule and to respect the time of all our guests, we will not transfer tickets. If you are unable to obtain tickets for all members of your party, we recommend splitting your group into separate hikes. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• PETS: Due to the nature of our center as a bird and wildlife sanctuary, and because live captive birds will be present, pets are not allowed.
• ADA Assistant/Companion: If you require an accommodation for an assistant or companion for medical reasons, an entry ticket is not required for the assistant/companion. However, without a paid ticket, the assistant/companion will only be granted entry and no other access. To be an event participant and enjoy full privileges, a full-price ticket is required.
• PARKING: 
  • PARKING IS NEXT DOOR AT NEWMAN ACADEMY. Set your navigation to Newman International Academy, 1114 W FM 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104. 
    • Enter Newman's driveway and proceed past the guard shack. At about 0.2 miles, follow the left fork to the parking area next to Newman's Event Center.
      • We recommend arriving at Newman's parking lot at least 45 minutes prior to any timed activity you intend to participate in. 
    • To reach Dogwood, walk back toward the guard shack and turn left on the Balcones Trail. Alternatively, hop on one of our shuttles (15-passenger white Ford E-350 vans) to save the walk down the driveway. The shuttles will drop visitors off at the Balcones Trail. All visitors will walk along the Balcones Trail.
    • Click here for a graphic explaining the area.
• HANDICAP PARKING: If you have a valid handicap placard or license plate, please come to the main gravel lot at Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center at 1206 W FM 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104. The entry to the Dogwood Canyon parking lot will be managed so that traffic can be directed accordingly.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Please note that some programs may end by 8:00p and resources such as food and drinks are limited and may begin to close around 8:30p.

All ticket sales and gift shop purchases directly support Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, an operation of National Audubon Society, Inc., a non-profit conservation organization. Our nature center must be financially self-sustainable and therefore, we rely on events like this, as well as donations, to support our mission. Ticket sales are not considered tax-deductible and help cover our costs of holding the event. In order to further support our center, please consider making a donation. Donations can be made in person or online at https://dogwood.audubon.org/donate.

REFUNDS, TICKET TRANSFERS, AND INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICIES

• Refunds: Due to the limited nature of the event, tickets are not refundable.
• Transfers: Tickets are non-transferable.
• Weather: Please note that this event is weather-dependent. In the event that we are experiencing heavy local precipitation at the time of your scheduled hike, the hike will be canceled. 
• Cancellation: If the event is canceled due to weather, please consider your ticket purchase to be a contribution to Dogwood Canyon Audubon Center, a non-profit operation of National Audubon Society, Inc., federal tax ID number 13-1624102.

When placing your order, please use a valid e-mail address. We will communicate any cancellations or changes via e-mail.