Surprise! Houston Has 8 National Parks We Didn’t Know We Needed
Catching up with all the movie flicks and crime documentaries made me realize that it’s been a while since I detached, disconnected, and breathed fresh air. Well, It’s time to hit pause on the screens and hit play on some real-life nature therapy!
Lucky for us, national parks near Houston offer more than just a change of scenery! Don’t worry, these parks are close enough for a quick escape but packed with enough adventure to make you forget about your Netflix queue.
So, join me as I go on a little road trip and discover the hidden natural wonders just outside our city!
1. Big Bend National Park
Media credit: @bigbendnps
Website: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/
Address: 195 Escuela Vista, Big Bend National Park, TX 89834
Contact Details: 432 477 22 51
| Distance | 906 kilometers (563 miles) |
| Duration | 8 hours, 35 minutes |
| Best time to visit | October to November, February to March |
If you’re down for a full day of adventure and road trip, you can visit Big Bend National Park. This park has over 800,000 acres of land, making it one of the largest national parks in the country.
Here, you can appreciate the breeze as you check out the rugged mountain ranges, canyons, and vast deserts.
You and your friends can make the most of the national park’s outdoor activities such as rock climbing, and hiking. You can even spot backpackers ready to build their temporary camp, especially during weekends.
When it comes to hiking, you’ll only tackle the park’s 3.9-kilometer-long trail, great for hikers of all levels! Additionally, the park’s volunteers are always present when you hike, offering water and snacks to hikers, ensuring they are capable enough to finish the trail.
For those of you who are interested in a quick dip just to cool down, river trips are also available at Big Bend National Park.
When you’re at Big Bend National Park, you should remember to visit the Chisos Mountains. Maximize your time here by checking out unique plant and animal species such as black bears and mountain lions.
On the other hand, don’t miss out on the park’s ancient Native American rock art sites, stagecoach stops, and military outposts.
| Pro tip: Unfortunately, Big Bend National Park isn’t a great spot for your furry pals as pesky insects that can be toxic and harmful to pets make this park their home. |
2. Big Thicket National Preserve
Media credit: @bigthicketnps
Website: http://www.nps.gov/bith
Address: FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625
Contact Details: +1 409-951-6700
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
| Distance | 132 kilometers (82 miles) |
| Duration | 1 hour, 30 minutes |
| Best time to visit | Mid-April to Mid-May |
For those of you who are not after the high vista views but still want to spend some time walking in the woods, then Big Thicket National Preserve is a great spot for you!
With over 100,000 acres of land, Big Thicket National Preserve is considered one of the most biologically diverse regions in Texas.
This park has wetlands and prairies that provide home to animal species from both eastern and western parts of the United States, including rare and endangered ones.
You’ll also find it comfortable to roam around the area as plenty of volunteers are scattered around Big Thicket National Preserve.
They even guide you to where the plants and flowers are, allowing you to appreciate those you might have missed along the trails. However, don’t expect any information about the place’s nature as no trees or plants are labeled.
Meanwhile, you can also enjoy other outdoor activities such as fishing, canoeing, and birdwatching.
| Pro tips: Head over to the Big Thicket National Preserve’s visitors center and ask for the best birding hikes in the park. Trails located along the beaver slide are somewhat poorly marked. Make sure to carefully follow the map to conveniently traverse the area. |
3. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Media credit: @guadalupemountainsnps
Address: 400 Pine Canyon Salt Flat, TX 79847
Contact Details: 915 828 3251
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
| Distance | 1055 kilometers (655 miles) |
| Duration | 10 hours |
| Best time to visit | February – May |
For those of you who don’t mind a long drive, then you should head over to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. For over 50 years, this park has been a spot for backpackers and hikers who want to spend a lovely weekend outdoors.
This 80-acre land is home to the Guadalupe Peak, the highest summit in Texas with an elevation of 8.751 feet. At the peak, you can see the views of the rocky El Capitan peak and the colorful fall foliage of the McKittrick Canyon Trail.
Aside from the scenic landscape of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, you can also find a fossilized reef system which is preserved in the form of towering cliffs and canyons.
You’ll also spot some animal species here such as pronghorns and black bears. Birdwatching is also a thing here as notable and unique birds like the peregrine falcon consider Guadalupe Mountains National Park their home.
Aside from the outdoor activities you can do in this park, you can also catch the ruins of the old mining town, as well as the remains of a Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach station.
| Pro tips: There are no services nearby so make sure to bring enough food, water, and hiking supplies when you go to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Avoid hiking in mid-June as temperatures can go as high as 100°F (37°C). |
4. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Media credit: @sin_dyk3_zilla
Address: 199 State Park Rd 52, Stonewall, TX 78671
Contact Details: 830 868 7128
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
| Distance | 354 kilometers (220 miles) |
| Duration | 3 hours, 38 minutes |
| Best time to visit | February – May |
The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is made to preserve the legacy of the United States of America’s 36th President, Lyndon B. Johnson.
Roaming around the park will give you a glimpse of President Johnson’s life including his birthplace, the home where he grew up, their ranch, and the family cemetery.
You can also ask them to take you to the schoolhouse that Lyndon B. Johnson went to as a young child.
You can also find the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library and Museum where you can read more about the history and politics back in their time.
The park has three distinct areas, but no need to worry as the ladies at the visitor center will gladly guide you and provide you with directions so you can roam around conveniently.
And if you’re lucky, you can even spot some deer on the property.
| Pro tip: The Texas White House will be under renovation until 2025, so manage your expectations, especially if you wish to see this section at Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. |
5. Padre Island National Seashore
Media credit: @padreislandnps
Website: https://www.nps.gov/pais/
Address: TX
Contact Details: +1 361-949-8068
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
| Distance | 446 kilometers (277 miles) |
| Duration | 4 hours, 27 minutes |
| Best time to visit | September – November |
If you want to visit a park where you can appreciate the longest undeveloped stretch of barrier island in the world then you should add Padre Island National Seashore to your list.
This 70-mile seashore is graced by beaches and other habitats like grasslands, dunes, and tidal flats. Meanwhile, if you want to see the endangered sea turtles, you can find them nesting and even hatching along the Padre Island too!
Additionally, outdoor recreations such as fishing, camping, hiking, and beachcombing are available at Padre Island National Seashore.
If you’re into historical spots, you’ll love to see the remains of a Spanish shipwreck, and even spot some structures which were built by the early settlers.
| Pro tip: Make sure to plan your restroom break well in advance, as restrooms are located beyond the main park area. |
6. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park
Media credit: @jvausa
Website: https://www.nps.gov/paal/
Address: 7200 Paredes Line Rd, Brownsville, TX 78526
Contact Details: +1 361-949-8068
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
| Distance | 620 kilometers (385 miles) |
| Duration | 5 hours, 50 minutes |
| Best time to visit | March – April |
If you want to see a park that preserves the site of the first major battle of the Mexican-American War then head over to Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park.
Here, you can have an immersive experience that will let you feel like you’re existing during the day of battle.
You can start your immersion at the park’s visitor center where you can see multimedia displays, informative exhibits, and artifacts related to the battle.
Those of you who would love to clock in some steps, you’ll find the trails at Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park interesting enough.
Here, you can also see battle strategies and appreciate how the terrain helped the troops with their strategic movement.
If you want to learn more about the place, you can also avail yourself of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park’s guided tours and demonstrations, allowing you to get deeper insights into the soldiers’ lives.
| Pro tip: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, making it easy for you to explore the battlefield. |
7. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Media credit: @missionsnps
Website: https://www.nps.gov/saan/
Address: San Antonio, TX
Contact Details: +1 210-932-1001
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
| Distance | 319 kilometers (198 miles) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Best time to visit | November – April |
With over 300 years of rich history and culture, you’ll surely find it fascinating when you spend a day at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
You can find four colonial missions in the park which include Mission Concepcion, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada, allowing you to explore how the Spanish settlers lived with the Indigenous people of the region.
In fact, if you want to check out the oldest unrestored stone church in America, then you should not miss Mission Concepcion! Here, you’ll also discover how Christianity and the European culture spread among the population.
Even better, there are interpretative signs and exhibits, giving you more context about the missions’ history.
Exploring the park gives you multiple ways to choose from. You can either walk or bike along, letting you appreciate the scenic surroundings at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
| Pro tips: Don’t forget to pick up maps at the visitor center located near Mission San Jose. You can also ask the staff to help you plan your day, especially if you want a DIY tour. Consider attending mass services at each mission for a more unique experience. |
8. Waco Mammoth National Monument
Media credit: @wacomammoth
Website: https://www.nps.gov/waco/
Address: 6220 Steinbeck Bend Dr, Waco, TX 76708
Contact Details: +1 254-750-7946
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
| Distance | 298 kilometers (185 miles) |
| Duration | 3 hours |
| Best time to visit | November – April |
For history and nature lovers, the Waco Mammoth National Monument is a great national park to explore near Houston.
Here, guided tours led by rangers will give you deeper insights by showing you the discovery process, the science behind fossilization, and even the research they conducted.
Moreover, this park is commonly visited because of the 65,000-year-old mammoths preserved in a large, wet sinkhole, giving us a glimpse of the ancient world.
Aside from the mammoths, you can also see other Ice Age animals like the llamas, camels, and American bison, allowing you to appreciate the late Pleistocene period.
| Pro tip: There’s no need to hurry when visiting the Waco Mammoth National Monument. Guided tours are conducted every 30 minutes, allowing you lots of opportunities to join in without feeling rushed. |
