Dip Into The Cool Waters of These 10 Houston Lakes!
Although the 713 is most well-known for being the Bayou capital of Texas, the city also boasts scenic lakes!
The entirety of Houston has 160 lakes for you to choose from. We’re not scientists, but we ARE travelers, and we know Houston like the back of our hands, so we’re here to help you find at least 10 of Houston’s most breathtaking lakes!
So wear your most comfortable shoes and wear your comfiest OOTDs as we give you not just A list – but THE list of Houston’s lakes. Along the way, we’ll also tell you some top tips that can make your visit a little bit better, too!
1. Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Address: 25840 FM 1485, New Caney, TX 77357
Phone Number: 832-395-7690
Hours:
- Sunday – Monday, Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday – Saturday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Lake Houston Wilderness Park is probably the first thing you and I think when it comes to lakes in the city. It’s popular for a good reason – its breathtaking beauty is one that every Houstonian will see at least once in their life.
Apart from the scenic views, you can also enjoy fishing, boating, and all that jazz. However, the fishing is a lot more interesting since you can catch bluegills and carp.
They do charge a $3 entrance fee which is used to maintain the park’s overall appearance. This also means that the park is well-kept, and the picnic areas are especially clean.
Pro Tips:
- Though Lake Houston Wilderness Park is a good spot for picnics, there can be plenty of ants on the ground. We strongly recommend using the pavillions and the benches near the lake instead.
2. Kinder Lake
Credit: @visit_houston on Instagram
Address: Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
Phone Number: 713-538-7433
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Located right in the middle of Downtown’s Discovery Green Park, Kinder Lake is a bit of a rare one since it’s man made. However, it’s still a beautiful sight, even if it’s an underrated spot to visit.
Kinder Lake’s waters are perfectly safe, and they let you kayak in it for $5 per person. The grass mounds can be a bit too green which makes it look a bit like a golf course, but we’d like to think of it as the park’s natural, rustic charm.
There are surrounding buildings, which makes you still feel like you’re in a city, but it’s still a welcome change if you’re a fan of Houston’s Downtown cityscape. If the sun gets too hot though, you can take shade in the trees that surround the lake.
Pro Tips:
- We strongly suggest bringing good sunscreen with you, especially when you plan to kayak in the middle of the day.
3. Sheldon Lake
Address: 14140 Garrett Rd.Houston, TX 77044
Phone Number: 281-456-2800
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
15 minutes away from Downtown Houston’s hustle and bustle lies Sheldon Lake, a natural reserve that’s targeted for the entire family! Entrance is free so you can bring your kids with you!
Sheldon Lake is also home to wildlife not usually found in Downtown Houston like alligators, birds that regularly perch on top of said alligators, plus some turtles. We suggest bringing some binoculars to look at them from a safe distance!
You can also sign up as a volunteer at Sheldon Lake if you’re up to the task, Though it sounds like a drab way to spend your weekend, it’s plenty of fun especially since you can be up close and personal with the wildlife and the lake.
Pro Tips:
- Sheldon Lake’s proximity to the main road means that you can eventually hear cars which can be distracting if you’re there for a lovely weekend. We suggest visiting them on weekday afternoons, ideally from 2 PM onwards.
4. McGovern Lake
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Address: Hermann Park, 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Phone Number: 713-526-2183
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Nestled deep inside Hermann Park lies McGovern Lake, an Instagram-worthy piece of still water that’s perfect for a relaxing weekend. Though you can only choose from two activities (paddleboat riding and birdwatching) both are just as relaxing as they sound.
A little-known fact about McGovern Lake, it underwent major renovations in 1999 and was promptly drained and enlarged to make the lake that it stands today. They’ve also managed to add two additional islands as well, which adds a bit more charm to the lake.
Riding a paddleboat in the park feels like it’s straight out of a novel, especially thanks to the small islands that change to a light brown color during the spring. That being said though, it’s still incredibly pretty regardless of the season, so we recommend visiting.
Pro Tips:
- Though McGovern Lake is huge, you won’t be able to bike or play some ball games within the lake’s vicinity due to regulations.
5. Sabine Lake
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Address: 4503 Sabine Lake Ct, Richmond, TX 77406
Best known as the lake that connects Texas and Louisiana, Sabine Lake is a bit weird compared to other lakes. To begin with, it’s located far south in Houston’s far south – secondly, it’s a saltwater lake, which means you (probably) won’t sink!
To reach Sabine Lake, you’ll need to drive 96 miles away from Downtown. It’s a bit of a drive, but it’s worth it since the lake offers breathtaking views and fish like the Atlantic croaker and largemouth bass, which can be delicious when cooked right!
The entire lake spans 90,000 acres! To put that into perspective, it’s the size of at least 44,388 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Several businesses all over Houston also offer boat rides throughout Sabine Lake, so you can see the lake’s beauty for yourself!
Pro Tips:
- Since Sabine Lake is insanely big, we strongly suggest bringing a bright yellow (ideally, glow-in-the-dark!) landmark if you plan to fish there, especially if you’re gunning for the larger fish.
6. Lake Livingston
Address: 300 State Park Rd 65, Livingston, TX 77351
Phone Number: 936-365-2201
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Lake Livingston isn’t just a pretty sight to behold – it’s also the second-largest lake in Texas! Plus, if you’re lucky enough you can also catch some A-list celebrities filming new movies there!
The lake’s natural beauty is only enhanced by the activities that they offer at the park. You can fish for bass, take the family out for a cozy boat ride, or take them up for a hike in the nearby forest area – they have all the makings of a good weekend!
However, if you’re looking for something more challenging that the entire family can take part in, then Lake Livingston also has Geocaches that you can try and find! This modern take on treasure hunting is lots of fun, and you can get nice goodies as a reward!
Pro Tips:
- If you’re visiting Lake Livingston anytime soon, then we strongly suggest bringing some insect-repellent lotion, especially from April to September. The lake and the nearby areas are teeming with mosquitoes.
7. Addicks Reservoir
Credit: @kdphotoman on Instagram
Address: Addicks Reservoir, Houston, TX 77084, USA
Mainly built by the city of Houston to prevent flooding, Addicks Reservoir has since become one of the Houstonian’s main sources of water and Instagram-worthy pictures! It’s a beautiful example of man and nature working together, which is always a marvel.
Though you can’t swim in Addicks Reservoir’s waters due to the wildlife present, you can still rent a boat from the nearby businesses for next to nothing and enjoy the majestic views. Plus, you can also hike on the trail that they’ve laid out for you.
The lush forest can provide great shade for those who are looking for a scenic picnic, and you can always try and forage for some wild mushrooms that are found in the area. Just be careful of those mushrooms, especially if they’re brightly colored!
Pro Tips:
- Since Addicks Reservoir’s forest is on the thicker side, we strongly suggest visiting them two weeks after it rains. It will be way too muddy for a hike, and you can’t enjoy your trip then!
8. Anahuac Lake
Credit: @heathersullivanfox26 on Instagram
Address: Texas 77597, USA
Yet another man-made saltwater lake in Houston, Anahuac Lake has provided its people with irrigation and a good source of livelihood. The teeming wildlife present also means you’ll have plenty of sightseeing to see!
Danger always lies within Anahuac Lake, especially since, as most people who have visited the lake have pointed out, “there are more alligators than people”. It’s more dangerous than other lakes but offers a more thrilling sightseeing tour.
Anahuac Lake has certain swampy areas where you can feel like you’re parodying “Shrek” at some points. The lake also hosts plenty of boat rental businesses, which makes for a beautiful (and thrilling!) weekend afternoon.
Pro Tips:
- Be careful treading Anahuac Lake’s shores! Saltlake shores can be a bit slippery if you’re not careful enough. We strongly recommend bringing some heavy-duty boots with you to make sure you’re well-protected.
9. Lake Friendswood
Credit: @calanp2002 on Instagram
Address: 2533 Davis Prairie Ln. Friendswood, TX 77546
Hours: Monday – Sunday 7:15 AM – 7:30 PM
Made by accident and kept by its residents as a monument to celebrate their town’s legacy, Lake Friendswood is a bit smaller (33 acres) than other lakes in Houston. Their diminutive size only adds more to their charm, rather than being a minus!
Since Lake Friendswood is located near plenty of housing estates, you can expect lots of family-friendly activities for you to do. Typical boating, kayaking, and fishing can be done within the lake’s vicinity, but you can also go for a picnic in the pavilion nearby!
And yes, though Lake Friendswood is man-made, you can fish in their waters. Texas Parks & Wildlife continuously refills the lake with different kinds of common (and note: edible!) fish four times a year to keep the lake alive.
Pro Tips:
- Yes, you can fish at Lake Friendswood – but since the lake is on the smaller side, you won’t be able to catch plenty of fish, especially on busy days. We strongly recommend visiting them on weekday mornings to have a good catch!
10. Lake Woodlands
Address: 1900 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380
The Woodlands is already one of Houston’s hidden gems, which means that Lake Woodlands is one of the more underrated Houston lakes! It’s a hush-hush lake, which makes it an ideal place to relax after the hustle and bustle of Houston’s Downtown.
What makes Lake Woodlands unique compared to other lakes inside the city is that they let you paddleboard and kayak in their waters! You can only do it during the morning until right before lunchtime, so we suggest moving fast if you want to try it out.
That said, there is still lots to do near the lake, even after lunchtime. Picnics and birdwatching are just some activities you can do, but if you want to relax and have fun, then nearby restaurants like The Republic Grille are present!
Pro Tips:
- Lake Woodlands doesn’t allow power boats. You can either bring a paddle boat or those little electric boats, but we suggest not bringing any boat over 5 horsepower to be sure.
