Austin Nature & Science Center

Austin Nature and Science Center
301 Nature Center Drive
Public Parking: 2389 Stratford Drive
(Near MoPac bridge)
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 974-3888
Net: austintexas.gov/department/austin-nature-and-science-center
Facebook: facebook.com/ATXnaturecenter/
Since 1961, the Austin Nature and Science Center has provided a focal point for nature-based education and experiences for children and teenagers. It is sited on 18 acres at the edge of Zilker Park featuring natural spaces, museum exhibits, and live animals.

Audiences: Ages 3 – 15 (Camps and activities); Families (Exhibits); Schools/Home Schools (field trips and classes) .

Exhibits: Free exhibits open to the general public include: 1) the Dino Pit, a life-size model of a paleontology dig; 2) indoor exhibits of fossils, preserved plants, mammals, birds, insects, plants, furs, bones, an observable behind-the-glass beehive, and geological specimens; 3) live animals and birds (that cannot survive in the wild); 4) an outdoor pond, pollinator garden, and forest trail.

School Programs: Grades Pre-K – 5. Instructor-led tours of 1 to 1.5 hours scheduled between October and April. Themes include: animal communities; astronomy; bats, insects; and ponds. 2024/25 costs differ by number of students and income level, but generally range from $1.20-$4/student.

Home School Programs: New season starts August 2025, with 3 separate programs.

• Monthly Meetup: Ages 4 – 17. One day per month from October-February. Ages 4 – 12 meet for 1.5 hours between 10 AM and 2 PM. Ages 13 – 16 (Educators in Training) meet 2 hours between 9:30 AM – 2 PM. Themes include: Above & Below; Sustainability; Inspired by Nature; Birds; Plants & Trails. 2025 cost of $35-45 for Austin residents.
• Science Club: Grades 1 – 5. One day each month from October-February from 11:30 AM to 1 PM. Grades 1 – 2 work on group project; grades 3 – 5 work on individual projects. 2025 cost of $75 for Austin residents.
• Adventure Series: Ages 12 – 15. 3 days per month from October-February from 9 AM to 1 PM. Themes include outdoor skills, adventures; hiking; and caving. 2025 cost of $75 for Austin residents.

Nature’s Way Pre-School: Ages 3 – 5. September – April. Nature-based play, animal encounter, and art program (not day care) offered 1 to 4 days a week, 9 AM to 1 PM, and 2 to 5 PM. 2024/25 costs average $133/month for 1-day class and $528/month for 4-day class.

Summer Camps: June – August, weekdays. All camps run from 7:30 AM to 6 PM. Many include field trips and overnight camping, and include swimming or wading. Apply early – registrants are taken in order.

Frog Camps: Ages 5 – 6. Five-day sessions, with rotating themes including: rocks & minerals; wildlife & prehistoric life; tree climbing & a glass-bottom boat tour. 2024 cost of $225 for Austin residents.
Salamander Camps: Ages 7 – 8. Five-day sessions, with rotating themes including: geology; animal rescue; and basic math/science “tinkering” skills. 2024 cost of $225 for Austin residents.
Adventure Camps: Ages 9 – 10. Five-day sessions, with rotating themes including: rock climbing, caving & snorkeling; water habitats; and wildlife observation. 2024 cost of $225 for Austin residents.
Pathfinder Camps: Ages 9 – 10. Five-day sessions, with physical activities including: kayaking, snorkeling, rock-wall scaling, & biking. 2024 cost of $225 for Austin residents.
Explorer Camps: Ages 11 – 12. Five-day sessions, with rotating themes including: art & nature; outdoor survival skills; and water activities like swimming and kayaking. 2024 cost of $225 for Austin residents.
Specialty Camps: Ages 7 – 14. Five-day sessions, with themes including: cycling; caving; kayaking; wildlife observation; and art using natural materials. 2024 cost of $225 for Austin residents.
Counselor in Training: Ages 13 – 15. A two-week training course for teens who want to assist the Center’s teachers in conducting camps. Includes 2 days of training and 2 weeks of supervised work. 2024 cost of $200 for Austin residents.

Spring Break Camps: Ages 5 – 10. Five-day camp in March from 7:30 AM – 6 PM. Themes, depending on age, include: exploring Austin’s parks; domestic uses of plants; and the purposes of color in nature. 2025 cost of $225 for Austin residents.

School Holiday Camps: Ages 5 – 10.

• Three-day camp on Thanksgiving holiday from 7:30 AM – 6 PM. Themes, depending on age, include: natural science; autumn hikes; and outdoor survival skills. 2024 cost of $135 for Austin residents.
• One- to four-day camps during winter break from 7:30 AM – 6 PM. Themes, depending on age, include: Nature at Night; astronomy; dinosaurs; outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and caving; and the Animal Kingdom. 2024 cost of $45/day for Austin residents.

Art by Margaret Campbell Bamberger

Continue to Austin Youth River Watch ->

Nature Center Main Building