Gary Halter Nature Center

Address: 13600 Rock Prairie Road
Phone Number: 979.764.6216
Hours of Operation: Daily, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed: Aug. 30-Sept. 1, Nov. 27-30, & Dec. 22-Jan. 1
Park Curfew: Dawn to dusk

The Gary Halter Nature Center is a 2,400 square-foot facility that includes a meeting room, outdoor classroom, amphitheater, native plant displays and a monarch butterfly garden. It's the focal point of the city's 523-acre Lick Creek Park. Hours of operation include tours, open restrooms and office hours for reservations. No cash or check accepted on-site, credit card only.

The park displays a variety of native plant and animal species, including the endangered Navasota Ladies Tresses. It also offers five miles of marked trails and provides opportunities for hiking, cycling, bird watching, equestrian activities, and nature study.

On July 14, 2022, council voted to rename the Lick Creek Nature Center after former Mayor Gary Halter, who led the city’s effort to obtain the property that became Lick Creek Park.

Youth Programs

Adult & Teens Programs

Rental Request Form

Field Trips

As you look forward to the school year, you may still be longing for more fun in the sun. That’s a good reason to incorporate Gary Halter Nature Center field trips into your lesson plans as a way to enhance your student’s learning experience.

Field Trip Details

The free, instructor-led field trips offer kindergarteners through sixth graders an engaging outdoor learning adventure that builds on classroom topics. Themes include wildlife biology, water cycle, plants, ecosystem, and organism identification.

Grades: Kindergarten–6th Grade

Capacity: Up to 60 students

Field trips last 2–3 hours with an option for students to bring lunch and eat on-site.

Scheduling & Availability

Semester Schedules:

Fall: September–November
Spring: February–May

Hours of Availability:

Monday–Tuesday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Wednesday–Friday: Noon–5 p.m.

Additional Information

Trips must be booked in advance, and dates and times are subject to availability. To learn more, view our Field Trip Brochure (PDF).

Fill Out Online Request Form

To schedule a field trip, call us at 979.764.3725 or complete the online request form. We look forward to hitting the trails with you!

Park Rules

General Rules

Trails close at dusk.
No campfires, dunking booths, hot air balloons, pony rides, sidewalk chalk, crawfish, bounce houses, or livestock without prior approval.
Confetti and glitter are prohibited.
No tents or RV camping without approval by Parks Staff.
All wildlife in city parks is protected.
Stay on marked trails and do not cross fences.
Glass bottles and containers are prohibited.

Environmental Protection

It is unlawful to:
- cut, dig, or destroy vegetation.
- wade or swim in park ponds.
- litter in city parks.
- fail to clean up after your pet on public property.

Parking and Trail Use

All vehicles must park in designated areas on pavement only. Horse trailers must be parked in the equestrian parking lot.
Horses and bicycles are restricted to Post Oak Trail, Deer Run Trail, and Iron Bridge Trail.
Horses must give the right of way to bicycles and pedestrians.

Dog and Pet Policies

All dogs must be on a leash when not on your property. Racoon Run Trail is the only off-leash trail in Lick Creek Park, and dogs must be under voice control.
Dogs in heat, or younger than four months, are not allowed in off-leash parks or trails.
Dogs over four months must be rabies vaccinated and registered with Brazos County. Registration tags can be obtained through your vet or the Aggieland Humane Society.
Your dog must wear their current county and rabies vaccination tags.
Acts of aggression against other dogs are prohibited. Uncontrollable dogs must be removed.
Handlers must stop dogs from digging and cover any holes created by their dogs.

Vendor and Commercial Use

Anyone wishing to sell items in a park must apply for a Park Vendor’s Permit at the Parks and Recreation Office (979.764.3486) and may need a Health Permit from the Brazos County Health Department (979.361.4450).
Gyms, boot camps, and fitness groups must purchase a Park Vendor Permit through the Stephen C. Beachy Central Park office (1000 Krenek Tap Rd.) or 979.764.3486 to host workout sessions in city parks.
Non-city-related advertising in city parks is prohibited unless designated by a contract.

Prohibited Activities

Off-road vehicles are not allowed in city parks.
Golfing or practice driving of golf balls in parks is prohibited.

Alcohol and Consumption

Alcohol may be consumed in city parks by adults 21 years or older. If serving alcohol at a function, a TABC license is required to sell alcohol or anything else.

Rental Information

Facility Rentals
Fees are per hour with a $210 deposit, 2-hour minimum
Meeting Room	Non-Resident - $131 Resident - $105
Outdoor Classroom	Non-Resident - $46 Resident - $37
Amphitheater	Non-Resident - $46 Resident - $37
Facility Photos
Rental Details
Rentals are on a first-come, first-served basis and will not be held without proper documentation and fees. Reservations can be made by calling 979.764.6216 or by visiting the Gary Halter Nature Center, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Deposits
A security deposit is required for rentals. Portions or all of the deposit will be forfeited if damage, extra maintenance, or extraordinary cleanup occurs as a result of rental. Deposits will be refunded on the following conditions: (1) terms of your rental have been met, (2) facilities are left in good condition, or (3) cancellation procedures have been followed.
Cancellation & Refunds
More than 10 days: Full refund of fees and deposits. Less than 10 days, more than 48 hours: Deposits forfeited. Less than 48 hours: All fees and deposits forfeited. Inclement weather: At the city's discretion, full refund. Post-event deposit refund: Refunded if conditions met and keys returned within 24 hours. All refunds are processed within 30 days by check; no cash refunds.
Facility Rental Request Form

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