Matt Cook Memorial Wildlife Viewing Platform

A short walk through the Shrike Prairie leads you to this two-story structure overlooking the Coastal Prairie Conservancy’s 140-acre Warren Lake, which teems with wildlife year-round. The ADA-accessible platform is dedicated to the memory of a young wildlife and fisheries graduate student who loved the outdoors and spent many hours studying and enjoying the wildlife of the Katy Prairie. View Shrike Prairie’s iNaturalist page to explore the many species that call this prairie home.

Shrike Prairie is currently undergoing restoration and enhancement activities to support pollinators and other wildlife with native plants. Volunteer opportunities are available to support this “showcase prairie” enhancement project.

Physical Address
15010 Warren Ranch Rd, Hockley, TX 77447

You can also view the location on Google Map.

Platform Hours
Open 365 days a year from 7 am to dusk.

March - September | 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
October - February | 7:00 am - 6:00 pm

*There are no public restrooms available at this location.*

Note: If you come out for a stroll on the prairie, please ensure that you give yourself enough time to get back to your car as the gate will shut promptly at closing time.

People standing on the Matt Cook Viewing Platform overlooking the Katy Prairie Preserve.
 

Directions

From Indiangrass Preserve

Click here for a printable map from the Indiangrass Preserve to the Matt Cook Memorial Wildlife Viewing Platform.

From Interstate 10

  • Take the Mason Road exit (Exit 745) and go north for just over 3 miles to Clay Road.

  • Turn left (west) at the stoplight onto Clay Road and drive for another 3 miles to the STOP sign at Katy Hockley Cutoff Road. ("Cutoff" is very small on the street sign, but be aware that this is not Katy-Hockley Road.)

  • Turn right (north) onto Katy Hockley Cutoff Road drive north for about 9.3 miles.

    LANDMARK: About 3 miles north of Clay Road you wsill come to the flashing light at FM 529.

    NOTE: Katy Hockley Cutoff Road turns into Katy-Hockley Road about 2 miles north of FM 529, but you just keep heading straight north - you probably won't even notice the change.

    BE REALLY CAREFUL ON KATY-HOCKLEY AND KATY-HOCKLEY CUTOFF ROADS. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 45 MILES AN HOUR AND THERE ARE LOTS OF CONSTABLES WRITING TICKETS.

    LANDMARK: You will cross the ribbon of trees at Cypress Creek about 5 miles north of FM 529, just over a mile before you get to your next turn at Jack Road. This may be hard to see at night, so watch your mileage.

  • Turn left (west) onto Jack Road and drive just under 2 miles until it ends at Warren Ranch Road.

    LANDMARK: Salt mine will be on your left.

  • Turn right (north) onto Warren Ranch Road.

  • Cross a small creek and continue until you see an open gate on the right-hand side of the road.

  • Park inside the gate.

From US 290

  • Take the Hegar Road exit from US 290

  • Turn south onto Hegar Road which turns into Warren Ranch Road and continue south for about 3.5 miles

  • You will see the platform and the lake on your left hand side. Turn left into the first gate of the parking area directly in front of the platform.