Take A Chill Pill in These 10 Hiking Spots in Houston!
Houston, although a mecca for the modern age with plenty of urban activities, is also home to plenty of natural sights for you to see and explore!
Hiking spots are aplenty in Houston – but that doesn’t mean that you can just go on one willy-nilly and hope for the best. If you’re not on a proper hiking trail, you can easily get lost – or worse, left stranded for a couple of days, maybe even weeks!
So don your comfiest hiking shoes and prepare your fave trail mix – we got you! We know Houston like the back of our hand, and we’re more than happy to present you with 10 Houston hiking spots for those who want to explore more of Houston’s natural views!
1. Buffalo Bayou Park
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Address: Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX
Phone Number: 713-752-0314 ext. 301
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Starting with a hiking spot that you’ve probably already visited, Buffalo Bayou Park has already cemented itself with Houstonians for being a friendlier-than-normal hiking route. Though some might argue that being an “easy” trail isn’t as good, we beg to differ!
Buffalo Bayou Park’s hiking route is 5.1 miles long and takes about 1.5 hours to traverse, potentially shorter if you’re moving briskly. It’s surrounded by plenty of nice greenery, which goes well with the fresh air that’s a rarity for Downtown Houston.
On the bright side, Buffalo Bayou Park offers many other activities if you find their hiking trail a bit too easy. Picnics and taking Insta-worthy pics are just some of the more typical things you can do, but visiting the Cistern means learning more about Houston’s history!
Pro Tips:
- Since Buffalo Bayou Park’s trail is on the easier side, it can get a bit crowded, especially during the weekends. If you want to experience Buffalo Bayou Park’s full beauty, then we suggest visiting on weekdays!
2. Sam Houston National Forest
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Address: 394 FM 1375 West, New Waverly, TX 77358,
Phone Number: 936-344-6205
Hours:
- Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM, 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday – Sunday: Closed
If an authentic hiking trail is what you’re looking for, then an authentic hiking route is exactly what you’ll get when you visit Sam Houston National Forest! It’s an upward hike that lets you see Houston’s biggest forest, plus it’s also a good form of exercise!
Sam Houston National Forest’s hiking trail’s uniqueness lies in the 85 miles of multiple-use trails! They have a designated trail for hikers, bikers, off-roaders, and horse riders, so expect some loud noise and some neighing on your hike!
The hiking trail is relatively easy to follow for both professionals and beginners alike. Yes, the 6 ft. green climb is a bit of a challenge, but the small creeks that run throughout the trail make the experience that much more immersive.
Pro Tips:
- Sam Houston National Forest takes the immersion to the next level since there are plenty of Poison Ivies within the trail. We suggest bringing some Calamine Lotion with you if you plan to hike their trail anytime soon.
3. Brazos Bend State Park
Address: 21901 Farm to Market Rd 762, Needville, TX 77461
Phone Number: 979-553-5101
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
The place where the Father of Texas first set up the colony that made Texas the state that it is now is also a hiking trail! Brazos Bend State Park’s hiking trail offers a glimpse of Houston’s rich history while walking children in nature!
However, what makes Brazos Bend State Park special is that its hiking trail is wheelchair accessible! Though this means that the trail isn’t as difficult, it’s a small price to pay for inclusivity that most hiking trails can’t offer.
Speaking of their (surprisingly easy) hiking trail, you can explore up to 37 miles separated into 21 different segments. If you want to challenge yourself though, the Elm Lake, 40 Acre Lake, Prairie, and Live Oak Trails Loop trail is a good start.
Pro Tips:
- We strongly suggest being extra vigilant while exploring Brazos Bend State Park! There are hidden Geocaches scattered throughout which can net you some pretty sweet prizes!
4. Armand Bayou Nature Center
Address: 8500 Bay Area Blvd, Pasadena, TX 77507
Phone Number: 281-474-2551
Hours:
- Monday – Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday – Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
One of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the United States, Armand Bayou Nature Center boasts two things: A fun, scenic hiking trail, along with a good touch of animal spotting as you go along your merry way!
From alligators, bobcats, raccoons, and even river otters, wildlife is aplenty at Armand Bayou Nature Center, which makes for some fun Instagram photos! The trail is also nicely lit with the right shade, so you won’t have to worry too much about the lighting.
Though Armand Bayou Nature Center’s hiking trail is only 5 miles, the beautiful sights that you can come across give it that special something. That, and you can come across plenty of people and mingle makes visiting them worth it!
Pro Tips:
- Armand Bayou Nature Center doesn’t allow any pets on their property – especially dogs. You can still bring your service dog with you, but you’ll have to bring the proper documentation with you to make sure they’re safe!
5. Galveston Island State Park
Address: 14901 FM3005, Galveston, TX 77554
Phone Number: 409-737-1222
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
If you’ve ever wanted to feel like Taylor Swift on her album cover for her 2022 album, then we recommend visiting Galveston Island State Park’s stunning views. The forest’s natural beauty, plus the all-natural sand and marsh dunes makes for a great hike!
We have to address the elephant in the room – Galveston Island State Park’s trail is short – like, 4.5 miles short. This just means that you can take your time and have a more chill hike, which can be a nice treat on a slow, weekend morning.
Galveston Island State Park’s relaxing factor goes up tenfold because of the picturesque trees that cover the entirety of the trail. Visiting them during the fall season makes for a nice Insta-worthy shot that goes well with your Pumpkin Spice Latte!
Pro Tips:
- Although Galveston Island State Park’s hiking trail is relatively small, they don’t mark all of their areas. We strongly suggest sticking with the map that they give you along with bringing some extra battery packs in case of emergency.
6. Lakewood Crossing Park
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Address: 11502 Cypresswood Dr, Houston, TX 77070
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
With a 5-mile dirt road and slim trees that offer ample shade serving as your landmarks, Lakewood Crossing Park’s hiking trail looks like it’s straight from an 80s slasher film. But inside the scary exterior lies a relaxing hiking spot – especially during the weekends!
If you want to witness Lakewood Crossing Park in its entire beauty though, then we recommend visiting them from November to January. The snow-covered trees and the slushy road make for a great hike. Just be careful not to slip on your way there!
Lakewood Crossing Park’s dirt roads aren’t just for hikers, since mountain bikes can roam around and explore the park. They also don’t charge you for your visit, and all you have to bring is yourself, your hiking gear, and some water to keep yourself hydrated!
Pro Tips:
- We strongly suggest using Uber, or, if possible, bringing a smaller car with you if you plan to visit Lakewood Crossing Park. Their parking lot is rather small, and it can be cheaper to take an Uber.
7. Lake Houston Wilderness Park
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Address: 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, TX 77357
Phone Number: 832-395-7690
Hours:
- Wednesday – Monday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
One of Houston’s largest lakes also boasts a lush hiking trail that you can explore! Lake Houston Wilderness Park offers a walk for you to remember (get the movie reference?) in all their lush, natural beauty that’s unusual for Houston!
If 20 miles of hiking grounds isn’t enough to convince you to visit Lake Houston Wilderness Park, then the beautiful oak trees will surely capture your attention. They’ve also been around for hundreds of years which means a pretty view.
Since the trees at Lake Houston Wilderness Park’s hiking trail are old, they’re practically overgrown. That means more shade during your hike, even during the summer! It can still be a bit humid, but at least you won’t need to take a stronger sunscreen.
Pro Tips:
- Lake Houston Wilderness Park’s rest stops can have a lot of ants at any given moment. We strongly suggest bringing some nature-friendly anti-bug sprays with you to prevent them from ruining an otherwise peaceful day.
8. Mercer Botanic Garden and Arboretum
Address: 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338
Phone Number: 713-274-4160
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Mercer Botanic Garden and Arboretum at Humble will be your best bet if you want your walk filled with butterflies! It’s smaller than the typical hiking trail, but the butterfly garden you’ll pass through makes every visit feel more special!
Mercer Botanic Garden and Arboretum’s hiking trail offers plenty of shade and even clean restrooms in their rest areas! The hike itself isn’t too challenging with little elevation changes, with your only opponent being the current weather.
The best part about Mercer Botanic Garden and Arboretum’s hiking trail is that you can visit them for free – yes, even on their hiking trail! But if you want to help them out, then you can always be a member and take part in their events.
Pro Tips:
- The Mercer Botanic Garden and Arboretum is located in a high crime rate area, which makes bringing a car a risk. We suggest bringing just the bare necessities with you, or rideshare your way there!
9. Big Thicket National Preserve
Address: FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625
Phone Number: 409-951-6700
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Being surrounded by stunning foliage, Big Thicket National Preserve got its name for being as natural as a Texan accent to a Houstonian! It’s an hour and 30 minutes away from Downtown, but the challenging trail and beautiful views make it worth it.
Big Thicket National Preserve’s uniqueness lies in the fact that you can come across nine different ecosystems on your hike! You’ll explore lush forests to swamps that make you feel like Shrek will pop out of nowhere on their trail, which makes for great pictures!
With Big Thicket National Preserve, you’ll also see some rare birds and plants that you won’t normally find in Houston. Carnivorous plants like the Pale Pitcher can be found, along with 300 different species of birds!
Pro Tips:
- Since Big Thicket National Preserve has, as their name implies, REALLY big thickets, some of the landmarks can be hidden from view. We strongly suggest sticking with the trail map given to you beforehand so you won’t get lost!
10. Buescher State Park
Credit: @takeme_to_thetrees on Instagram
Address: 100 Park Rd 1C, Smithville, TX 78957
Phone Number: 512-237-2241
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
If you’ve always wanted to sing the theme song to “The Sound of Music” while hiking, then Buescher State Park should be on your next go-to list! The trail’s rolling hills are reminiscent of the movie, especially during the fall where everything turns bright yellow!
Unlike other hiking trails in Houston, Buescher State Park has professional hikers ready to guide you on your hike. The price for the guide is already included in the $5 that you’ll pay to use their amenities like bathrooms so we strongly suggest them for first-timers.
You can also catch a glimpse of the remnants of the 2015 Hidden Pines Wildfire. It’s a tragic event that has burned 4.500 acres of forest and 63 homes, but it has given the trail a bit of a “Narnia” feel to it which makes for a winter-y hike in the middle of summer.
Pro Tips:
- Buescher State Park’s hiking trail is way too quiet, even on busier days. We strongly suggest keeping to yourself, or if you have to make noise, make sure you’re not too loud so as to not disturb anyone else.
