A Favorite Fall Tradition Returns to the Shoreline Trail
If you have never stood quietly on a dark trail while an owl calls somewhere in the tree canopy above you, October 28 is your opportunity. Keep The Colony Beautiful is hosting the Owl & Howl Prowl on the evening of October 28, departing from the Shoreline Trailhead at Ridgepointe. Texas Master Naturalist Donna Cole leads the outing, guiding participants through a stretch of The Colony’s Shoreline Trail in search of nocturnal wildlife.
The event has built a loyal following over the years for good reason. The Shoreline Trail corridor, running along the Lake Lewisville shoreline, gives this city a genuine natural asset that most North Texas suburbs can only envy. After dark, that same trail becomes a different place entirely — quieter, cooler, and alive with activity that daytime walkers never see.
What to Expect on the Prowl
Expert-Led Wildlife Exploration
Donna Cole brings Texas Master Naturalist credentials to the walk, which means participants are getting more than a stroll in the dark. Master Naturalists complete a structured training program focused on Texas ecosystems, so Cole can identify species by sound, explain habitat, and answer the questions kids and adults alike will inevitably have when they hear something rustle in the brush.
The “Owl & Howl” name signals the focal species, but fall evenings along a lakeside trail in North Texas can also surface other wildlife. Come prepared to listen as much as you look.
Logistics for the Evening
The event stages from the Shoreline Trailhead at Ridgepointe. That access point puts participants directly onto the trail without a long walk-in, which matters when you are herding younger family members in the dark. A few practical notes worth keeping in mind before you head out:
- Footwear matters. The Shoreline Trail is a paved surface in most sections, but nighttime conditions call for closed-toe shoes rather than sandals.
- Bring a light. A small flashlight or a phone with a torch app is worth having, though guides may ask participants to dim lights during key listening moments so as not to spook wildlife.
- Dress in layers. Late October evenings in The Colony can drop into the low 50s after sunset. A light jacket is the difference between a comfortable outing and a miserable one.
- Leave the dog at home. Trail wildlife programs generally ask that pets stay behind so animals are not disturbed and participants can hear properly.
Who Should Come
The Owl & Howl Prowl works well for families with school-age children, adults with a casual interest in local nature, and anyone who wants a Halloween-season activity that does not involve crowds, lines, or ticket prices. The format rewards patience and curiosity more than stamina — this is a slow, observational walk, not a hike.
For parents looking to double up on the weekend’s programming, the Prowl falls just four days after Family Fright Fest and Cinema Frights at Stewart Creek Park on October 24, giving families two distinct autumn outings within the same week.
Keep The Colony Beautiful’s Broader Role
KTCB operates as one of The Colony’s more active civic organizations, running environmental programming throughout the year. Beyond events like the Prowl, the group is currently accepting entries for its Recycled Art Contest through December 4 — a separate program worth noting if you have budding artists at home looking for a project between now and the holidays.
The Owl & Howl Prowl represents the kind of programming that makes the Shoreline Trail more than a jogging path. It gives residents a structured reason to engage with the natural environment the city has worked to preserve along the lake, and it does so in a format that costs nothing but an evening.
Mark Your Calendar
The KTCB Owl & Howl Prowl takes place October 28, 2026, launching from the Shoreline Trailhead at Ridgepointe. Check thecolonytx.gov for any updates on start time or registration requirements before the date arrives. Given the event’s reputation as one of The Colony’s favorite fall traditions, it is worth confirming details sooner rather than later.
